Do you know anything about IBS?

Question

I believe I have IBS. I was just wondering, do you know what the symptoms are? Can I go to my regular doctor to get tested? How do they test for IBS?

Answer 1

Yes Sweetie, do I ever! I have IBS. I don't know anyone else who has it so I often find info online from other people who suffer from it. I started having digestive problems since I was about 14 or 15, but didn't get officially diagnosed until I was 20!! Make sure that you really insist on your symptoms when you see your doctor, some of them will dismiss them unless you insist. That's what worked for me.
Anyway, some possible symptoms of IBS:

Bloating (I personally look about 4 months pregnant after eating, especially if I eat a lot or drink liquids. I'm pretty small framed so it's especially weird!!)

Diarrhea and/or constipation: You either get more of one, or you get both!

Abdominal pain caused by intestinal cramping or gas. This is sometimes relieved by going to the bathroom.

Gas and gas pain.

Gastroenteritis "episodes" where you usually have more than one of the following: tons of gas, burps that smell and taste like rotten eggs (sorry, I know it's disgusting!), severe liquid diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain (intestinal spasms)... For me this happens every once in a while and it's absolutely horrible... fortunately it goes away in a day, but it's definitely not fun...

I really hope I helped! I encourage you to go to your doctor and explain your symptoms VERY throroughly!! he or she usually won't put you through any tests (like CT scans) because the cons usually outweigh the pros.

The major thing that doctors want to do is differentiate IBS from IBD (Inflammatory Bowel) and Crohn's disease,as the latter two are more serious conditions which include sudden weight loss, fever, chill, and general malaise in their list of symptoms.

Re medications, there isn't really anything you can take. Just make sure to take extra fibre like metamucil every day and get lots of fruits and veggies.

Answer 2

The symptoms of IBS are: abdominal pain, flatulence, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, constipation or diarrhea, and anxiety or depression. A person could have some or all of the symptoms. The big ones are abdominal pain that feels better after you go to the bathroom, and having diarrhea or constipation, or going more or less than normal, and the problem lasts 3 months, or goes on and off for a long time. People who have it tend to have flare-ups when under stress. It doesn't have any changes in bloodwork, or changes in the way a person's intestines look, so it's not diagnosed with tests, but really just based on symptoms. Common treatments are stress management, and slight changes in diet, like more fibre, and avoiding foods that commonly cause gas, or are really fatty.

A few notes... if you have blood in your stool, or are going 20-30 times a day, this might be Irritable bowel disease, which does have testable changes, and is more serious than IBS. Your doctor can send you for a colonoscopy if he thinks you have IBD, which is where they send a camera up your rear to have a look (you're knocked out, thank goodness). Regardless, maybe go chat with your doctor. It's better than worrying about it.

Answer 3

IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I've had it for years. Stress is the contributing factor here and so is a poor diet too. IBS acts differently with everyone. Some days you may have the runs while other days you may be constipated. Sometimes you can have both in a day's time. Yes you can go to your regular family doctor to get this checked out. If he or she can't do the tests, your doctor may tell you to go see a gastroenterlogist for additional help.

A life style change and good eating habits are the cure for this. I'm not sure if there is any medication out there you can take for it. Good luck to you and I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 4

I'm within the navy in Iraq. This man out right here was once feeling like crap for a month. he had blood in his stool. he did not desire to visit the general practitioner on the grounds that he did not desire to allow his crew down. He went to the general practitioner and had a significant bacterial illness that had unfold to severl principal organs. They eliminated his lung, his pancreas and a kidney. His frame ultimately went into surprise and he died. He had a spouse and three youngsters and he was once most effective 28. I'm now not telling you this tale to scare you, however in many instances it is extra main to be certain you are healthful alternatively than hanging your process first. Urge her to peer her general practitioner ASAP! A useful dose of antibiotics within the establishing might have cleared up the illness.