<prompt> Which one of the following is nor a feature of irritable bowel syndrome?Abdominal painConstipationRectal bleedingBloating  <response>: Answer is C Rectal Bleeding Irritable Bowel syndrome is characteristically not associated with rectal bleeding. Evidence of blood in stool should raise an alarm that a process other than IBS is operating and should prompt fuher investigations. Abdominal pain, abnormal stool formation hardconstipation or loose watery stool, and Bloating or feeling abdominal distension are characteristic features of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Symptoms that cumulatively suppo the diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Abnormal stool frequencyQ fbr research Imposes., abnormal- defined as 3 bowel movementsweek Abnormal stool formations lumpyhard or loosewatery stool Abnormal stool habitsQ straining, urgency, or feeling of incomplete evacuation Passage al mucusQ Bloating or feeling of abdominal distention The diagnosis of a functional bowel disorder always presumes the absence of a structural or biochemical explanation for the symptoms. Dagnostic criteria for Irritable Bowel Syndrome 1. Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfo at least 3 days per month in the last 3 months associated with two or more of the follow ing I. Improvement with defecation 2. Onset associated with a change in frequency of sioole 3. Onset associated with a change in form appearance of stoolQ. Criteria fulfilled for the last 3 months with symptom onset at least 6 months prior to diagnosis. Discomfo means an uncomfoable sensation not described as pain. In pathophvsiologv research and clinical trails, a paindiscomfo frequency of at least 2 days a week during screening evaluation is required for subject eligibility. 