Medical Professionals
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Understanding the term ‘irritable bowel syndrome’ Written by: Dr. Omar Termini, Gastroenterologists of Ocean County
Do you suffer with chronically recurring abdominal pain and/or abdominal bloating that makes you feel or even look nine months pregnant? Do you suffer with chronic diarrhea that makes you uneasy to leave your house for even short trips? Do you have to rush home from a dinner out or even rush to the bathroom before leaving a restaurant because of the urgency to have a bowel movement? Do you know where every bathroom facility is located on your ride to work? Or do you have difficulty having bowel movements with resulting pain and cramping? If you answered yet to any of these questions, you are in very good company and may be suffering with a common condition called Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
What Is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects the colon or large bowel. It is the most common complaint for which a gastroenterologist is consulted. It is estimated that 1 in 6 Americans suffer with some symptoms of IBS. Women suffer with the disorder more frequently than men and the initial onset of symptoms occur most often in adolescence and early adulthood but man manifest at any age. Though IBS is considered a benign condition with no risk of cancer, intestinal damage or associated inflammation, it is quite debilitating in many patients. IBS is one of the most common reasons for absence from work in the U.S. Symptoms of IBS vary by the subtype but all commonly include abdominal pain, bloating, pain relieved by defecation, mucus rectal discharge and alteration in bowel habits.
There is no cure for IBS so the goal of therapy is to properly diagnose the disorder and thereafter tailor a treatment to the individual. Doctors will often give advice on diet and prescribe medications depending on the nature of the symptoms. Laxatives, antidiarrheals, and antispasmotics are commonly ordered. Probiotics and alternative therapies can be of great value as well. In conclusion, IBS is a treatable condition that must be properly diagnosed for optimum therapy and to minimize the likelihood of more serious conditions remaining undiagnosed. There is no reason why the symptoms of IBS should stop you from enjoying what pleasures life has to offer. So speak to your doctor soon if you suspect that you suffer with the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
For more information on IBS, please contact the Gastroenterologists of Ocean County today!
Gastroenterologists of Ocean County, PA A DIVISION OF ALLIED DIGESTIVE HEALTH OMAR TAMIMI, MD JILL COLLIER, MD EDGAR BIGORNIA, MD KENNETH GLAZIER, MD JAI MIRCHANDANI, MD
What Is The Cause Of IBS?
TERESA MENADIER, MD
Despite the common frequency of this disorder, there is no defines cause of IBS. Research has failed to detect any specific defect in the gastrointestinal tract that explains the illness. It has been theorized that a motility disorder (nervous system dysfunction that prevents proper muscle function of intestines) is the prime defect but this has yet to be confirmed. Most experts believe that there are likely multiple contributing factors.
BOARD CERTIFIED GASTROENTEROLOGISTS WITH HOSPITAL PRIVILEGES AT BOTH COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER & OCEAN MEDICAL CENTER
How Is IBS Diagnosed?
Experts in the field have developed clinical criteria to help diagnose IBS. This is based on history a patient gives a doctor during a visit. These criteria can only assist your doctor in making the diagnosis but are not definitive. This means that one must exclude other illnesses that mimic IBS before the diagnosis of IBS is confirmed. Disorders that can mimic or cause similar symptoms of IBS include: Infections, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis), Celiac Sprue (gluten sensitivity), Lactose Intolerance and Colon Cancer and other abdominal cancers. To exclude these disorders, when signs and symptoms are present, physicians will often perform blood and stool tests as well as place patients on selective diets. Colonoscopy is often necessary to exclude Colon Cancer or Colitis. Only once these more serious conditions have been excluded by patient history and necessary exams can patients by reassured of the diagnosis and treatment recommended.
Should I Be Concerned?
If your symptoms include bleeding, weight loss, bowel movements that wake you from sleep, oily stools or new symptoms presenting later in life, than it is urgent that you see your doctor right away to have appropriate evaluation as these may be symptoms of much more serious conditions. But even if you do not have these alarm symptoms, you should seek medical advice for treatment of IBS if you suspect you suffer with this disorder. How Is IBS Treated?
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November/December 2021
