Patients with irritable<unk>  syndrome usually appear normal on physical exam. Physical examination of patients with IBS may elicit abdominal tenderness in some patients. A digital rectal examination must be performed in all patients to rule out rectal growths, blood in stool and evaluate for dyssynergic defecation (where paradoxical contraction of the rectal sphincter occurs on straining, leading to constipation).  Physical findings such as fever, abdominal mass, hepatosplenomegaly, lymph node enlargement, weight loss, peritoneal signs and ascites are absent in IBS and help rule out organic causes.
Irritable bowel syndrome physical examination
Allergic colitis physical examination
Irritable bowel syndrome laboratory findings
Ulcerative colitis physical examination
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding laboratory findings
Crohn's disease physical examination
Tropical sprue physical examination
Lactose intolerance physical examination