How do they test for IBS, what is the treatment for it and how serious is this condition?
I think I may have this but it’s going to be a while before I can get in to the doctor.
I get the abdominal pain really severe. Very frequent diarrea. Is this an emergency condition? Should I go to the hospital or wait the 3 weeks for the appointment?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal syndrome characterized by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of any organic cause. It is the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal condition.
Some symptoms are classically seen in IBS. These symptoms included relief of pain with bowel movements, looser and more frequent stools with onset of pain, passage of mucus, and a sense of incomplete emptying.
Once your doc evaluates you for these symptoms, he/she may order any/all of the following:
1. Routine laboratory studies such as a complete blood count and chemistry panel should be performed and are normal in IBS.
2. If diarrhea is the predominant symptom, thyroid function studies may be obtained and three separate and fresh stools may be examined for ova and parasites.
3. Flexible sigmoidoscopy (a long tube with a camera inserted into the anus) and biopsy (taking a small piece of your gut from the inside) can be done in patients over the age of 40 to make sure it’s not cancer and in younger patients with persistent diarrhea to exclude inflammatory bowel disease.
Many physicians place great importance on the exclusion of organic causes of symptoms compatible with IBS. However, to avoid unnecessary and costly testing, the diagnosis of IBS should not be made only by excluding organic disorders.
yes this condition is very serious I’m on several different kinds of meds for this if you would like to IM you can i have a lot of info on this
Its not really serious but it can be really uncomfortable and a real problem for the sufferer. I would recommend charcoal tablets (prob from the pharmacy) and peppermint tea. Reduce your dairy intake as well and try one spoonful of linseed or psyllium husks every day.