I need info on IBS?!
Question: How do they test for this?
Is this a serious condition?
How do they treat it?
I cant get to the doctor for a few weeks. I have horrible abdominal cramping and diarrea. Should I go to the hospital?
Answers:
Do you KNOW you have IBS or are you just wondering if your symptoms COULD be IBS? Diarrhea and stomach cramps can be caused by dozens of things, some of them serious, some not. IBS is considered by doctors and researchers to be an "over-diagnosed" illness - doctors tend to choose this diagnosis rather than the many other things that you could have because IBS is one of the most well-known diseases, but it is also less common than other diseases such as Celiac disease.
You should do some research on Celiac disease, which is more common than IBS, causes the symptoms you have, and is often misdiagnosed. The more information you read for yourself, the better prepared you will be when you talk with the doctor:
http://www.csaceliacs.org/celiac_symptoms.php#Symptoms
Here's a page with a whole lot of information about IBS - including symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatments:
http://wrongdiagnosis.com/i/irritable_bowel_syndrome/intro.htm
And a page that shows the many, many things that can cause diarrhea:
http://wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/diarrhea.htm
Other Answers:
A friend of mine that has had IBS for many years uses peppermint leaves, I believe that you can get them in pill form at wal-mart. I hope this helps, and good luck!
IBS is like a degenerative disease. it comes from a long history. in other words if you have these symptoms of late, it's prob something else. go to the doctor. if you cannot control you diarrhea or if you vomit or are becoming dehydrated, go to the hospital immediately ! when you dehydrate your lips will show first, they will get dry and cracky. pinch gently on your arm. if your skin returns to normal form, you're okay. if it stays up, you're dehydrated.
I have IBS. I feel your pain. Go to your general practioner.depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doc may send you to a gastroenterologist. The GI doctor will probably want to do a colonoscopy on you. The colonoscopy will rule out other problems and determine how severe your IBS is. There is medicine you can take for IBS. You will also have to alter your diet.
Start making a food diary. Write down what foods you eat and any subsequent diarrhea, nausea, cramping etc you may have after you eat that food. Take that diary to your doctor.it will help him/her with your diagnosis.
Also keep track of how often you go diarrhea.
Go to the doctor ASAP.
I had IBS and its just Irritable Bowl Syndrome..From what i was told about it when you eat the food passes through your intestines and upsets them which causes the abdominal pain and cramping and causes you to go to the bathroom...the doctor prescribed me with medication which i stopped taking..there's nothing i can really do about it because no matter what i eat there are certain days where it just gets bad and some-days its not so bad...just try to eat good and drink water until you can get to the doctors so they can give you proper medication..hope everything turns out OK.
How is IBS diagnosed?
If you think you have IBS, seeing your doctor is the first step. IBS is generally diagnosed on the basis of a complete medical history that includes a careful description of symptoms and a physical examination.
There is no specific test for IBS, although diagnostic tests may be performed to rule out other diseases. These tests may include stool sample testing, blood tests, and x rays. Typically, a doctor will perform a sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy, which allows the doctor to look inside the colon. This is done by inserting a small, flexible tube with a camera on the end of it through the anus. The camera then transfers the images of your colon onto a large screen for the doctor to see better.
If your test results are negative, the doctor may diagnose IBS based on your symptoms, including how often you have had abdominal pain or discomfort during the past year, when the pain starts and stops in relation to bowel function, and how your bowel frequency and stool consistency have changed. Many doctors refer to a list of specific symptoms that must be present to make a diagnosis of IBS.
Symptoms include:
Abdominal pain or discomfort for at least 12 weeks out of the previous 12 months. These 12 weeks do not have to be consecutive.
The abdominal pain or discomfort has two of the following three features:
It is relieved by having a bowel movement.
When it starts, there is a change in how often you have a bowel movement.
When it starts, there is a change in the form of the stool or the way it looks.
Certain symptoms must also be present, such as:
a change in frequency of bowel movements
a change in appearance of bowel movements
feelings of uncontrollable urgency to have a bowel movement
difficulty or inability to pass stool
mucus in the stool
bloating
Bleeding, fever, weight loss, and persistent severe pain are not symptoms of IBS and may indicate other problems such as inflammation, or rarely, cancer.
What is the treatment for IBS?
Unfortunately, many people suffer from IBS for a long time before seeking medical treatment. Up to 70 percent of people suffering from IBS are not receiving medical care for their symptoms. No cure has been found for IBS, but many options are available to treat the symptoms. Your doctor will give you the best treatments available for your particular symptoms and encourage you to manage stress and make changes to your diet.
Medications are an important part of relieving symptoms. Your doctor may suggest fiber supplements or laxatives for constipation or medicines to decrease diarrhea, such as Lomotil or loperamide (Imodium). An antispasmodic is commonly prescribed, which helps to control colon muscle spasms and reduce abdominal pain. Antidepressants may relieve some symptoms. However, both antispasmodics and antidepressants can worsen constipation, so some doctors will also prescribe medications that relax muscles in the bladder and intestines, such as Donnapine and Librax. These medications contain a mild sedative, which can be habit forming, so they need to be used under the guidance of a physician. Medications available specifically to treat IBS are
Alosetron hydrochloride (Lotronex), which has been reapproved with significant restrictions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for women with severe IBS who have not responded to conventional therapy and whose primary symptom is diarrhea. However, even in these patients, Lotronex should be used with great caution because it can have serious side effects such as severe constipation or decreased blood flow to the colon.
Tegaserod maleate (Zelnorm), which has been approved by the FDA for the short-term treatment of women with IBS whose primary symptom is constipation. Zelnorm is prescribed for a standard 4 to 6 weeks. If a person feels better and experiences a decrease in symptoms, the doctor may prescribe Zelnorm for an additional 4 to 6 weeks.
With any medication, even over-the-counter medications such as laxatives and fiber supplements, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions. Some people report a worsening in abdominal bloating and gas from increased fiber intake, and laxatives can be habit forming if they are used too frequently.
Medications affect people differently, and no one medication or combination of medications will work for everyone with IBS. You will need to work with your doctor to find the best combination of medicine, diet, counseling, and support to control your symptoms.
Source(s):
Lots more info:
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/
I think "Beyond Anima" did a great and inclusive response. But before you get to your doctor, the first thing to do is to eliminate all milk products from your diet. We are not baby cows and many many people develope lactose intolerance at any age. Many problems of abd cramping can be avoided by trying this very simple first step. Your doctor will probably advise this as well, so you can already tell him/her if this helped. Rice or soy milk for now.
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