Would a colonoscopy detect ibs? thanks!

Hmm: IBS tends to be a diagnosis of exclusion. A negative colonoscope can be helpful at ruling out other things that could cause your symptoms (diarrhea, pain, constipation). It is largely used to diagnosis bleeding, a mass or infection. Please see your doctor for more answers.

No, but...: A colonoscopy would help exclude other possible diagnoses that present with similar symptoms. It also serves as a screening test for colorectal cancer. So, useful for more than one reason. If you have a significant family history of colon cancer, it is recommended you have one starting at age 45-50, and then every 5 years after that, sometimes sooner if there are precancerous growths detected.

No: Irritable Bowel Syndrome usually presents itself in the form of altered bowel habits(constipation, diarrhea, or both) along with abdominal pain. Sometimes a colonoscopy is needed to rule out other causes for these symptoms. In IBS the colonoscopy is normal. Certain features are not compatible with IBS and require full evaluation: rectal bleeding, wt. loss,nocturnal pain or diarrhea.