Health News

Blood Test Developed To Detect Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS Blood Test

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can now be diagnosed quickly and accurately with a simple blood test developed at the nonprofit Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

The new approach was developed by Dr. Mark Pimentel, director of the hospital’s GI Motility Program and Laboratory, who created a couple of simple blood tests capable of confirming food poisoning induced IBS, according to a news release on the hospital’s website.

The tests, marketed under the name IBSchek and produced by Commonwealth Laboratories Inc, are able to detect two antibodies associated with IBS  anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin  with greater than 90 percent certainty.

These two IBS-linked antibodies are released by the body in reaction to toxins produced by bacteria such as salmonella a common cause of food poisoning.

IBS is characterized by chronic bloating, abdominal pain, gas, and bouts of diarrhea, constipation, or both. It is said to be one of the most common gastroenterology disorders in the United States, afflicting nearly 40 million people.   Globally, an estimated 10 percent of the population is believed to have IBS.

Until Pimentel’s announcement, no specific tests were routinely used by doctors to identify IBS, according to the Daily Mail.  As a result, patients often have to undergo a battery of additional tests in order to eliminate more serious conditions such as bowel cancer and Crohn’s disease prior to getting diagnosed for IBS.

According to Pimentel, the test he developed can save patients from the stress and uncertainty of prior tests and allow them to proceed straight into therapy for their condition without the “emotional suffering” he claims to have seen patients endure.

Most IBS patients have been told at one time or another that the disease was psychological, all in their head. The fact that we can now confirm the disease through their blood, not their head, is going to end a lot of the emotional suffering I have seen these patients endure.

In other health news here at Immortal News, celiac diseasewhich IBS can be mistaken forsufferers have an increased risk of neuropathy.

What are your thoughts on this first-ever test for irritable bowel syndrome?

Click to comment
To Top

Hi - Get Important Content Like This Delivered Directly To You

Get important content and more delivered to you once or twice a week.

We don't want an impostor using your email address so please look for an email from us and click the link to confirm your email address.