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Gastroenterologists of Ocean County
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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.
What Is The Cause Of IBS?
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.
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?
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 TERESA MENADIER, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED GASTROENTEROLOGISTS WITH HOSPITAL PRIVILEGES AT BOTH
COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER & OCEAN MEDICAL CENTER
MEDICARE, HMO’S AND MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED
NOW YOU CAN HAVE YOUR COLONOSCOPY, POLYPECTOMY AND UPPER PANENDOSCOPY IN ONE OF OUR TRANQUIL AND PRIVATE ENDOSCOPY CENTERS. ENDOSCOPY CENTER OF OCEAN COUNTY ENDOSCOPY CENTER OF TOMS RIVER MEDICARE AND JOINT COMMISSION CERTIFIED CENTERS
Colonoscopy & colon polyp removal Rectal bleeding evaluation Ulcer pain evaluation
& treatment
Endoscopic treatment of
hemorrhoids
Swallowing disorders Colon cancer detection &
screening
Capsule Endoscopy Esophageal Manometry PH Impedance
473 & 477 Lakehurst Rd. Toms River, NJ 08755
939 Lacey Rd. Forked River,
NJ 08731 1617 Rt 88 W Brick, NJ 08723
Varicose Veins? Painful Swollen Legs? Help Is Available!
An Interview With Dr. Jeffrey S. Gosin...
Varicose veins and their underlying cause, known as venous reflux disease, are the most common circulatory problems that affect individuals of all ages.
These conditions are twice as common as coronary heart disease. They occur when vein valves in the legs become damaged, causing abnormal blood flow in the affected veins. Consequently, blood is allowed to pool in the lower legs. This causes a variety of physical symptoms such as leg pain, leg swelling, heaviness and fatigue, and skin itching. It can also cause the appearance of unsightly varicose and spider veins.
People who have occupations that require standing, such as casino employees, food servers, school teachers, and many other similar jobs are especially prone to these problems. In addition, people who have a family history of varicose veins, who are overweight, or who have been pregnant are at risk. It is also possible to have varicose veins without any of these risk factors.
Venous reflux disease and varicose veins become more common with age. Existing varicose veins can also become more prominent or symptomatic as individuals get older. In more severe cases, people with long standing varicose veins and chronic leg swelling can develop permanent loss of integrity and discoloration of the skin, leg wounds, and blood clots.
The good news is that modern vein care allows for treatment of many of these problems in a far less invasive way than in the past.
Hospitalization and painful vein stripping surgery are not necessary. Jeffrey Gosin, M.D., a Board Certified Vascular Surgeon with Shore Vascular & Vein Center states, “In our practice, we have been caring for individuals with vascular problems, such as varicose veins, for our entire careers. In recent years there have been fantastic advancements in the treatment of vascular disease. In many cases we can offer these state-of-theart treatments to our patients. As a result, we are able to treat most of the vein problems that people experience with minimally invasive, outpatient procedures. Many of these are performed right in the office. These procedures have the advantage of being very safe and effective. Patients usually experience minimal discomfort, are able to walk immediately following the procedures, and have fast recovery.”
One of the advancements in vein care is the Closure Procedure. This procedure treats varicose veins at their underlying source, by eliminating venous reflux. Dr. Gosin states, “The Closure Procedure has greatly improved the way that we treat patients with varicose veins and venous reflux disease. It is performed in a comfortable office setting. General anesthesia is not necessary. The whole procedure is guided by ultrasound. Therefore, incisions and sutures are not needed. That means less pain and faster recovery for our patients. The procedure takes about 20 minutes to perform and is over 95% successful in eliminating venous reflux, which
is the cause of most varicose veins. We have now performed thousands of these procedures and results have been excellent.” “One of the significant advantages to seeing a vascular surgeon for vein care is that we treat the full spectrum of vascular diseases, from routine to very complicated ones” says Jeffrey S. Gosin, MD, FACS Dr. Gosin. “We have experience with conventional open surgery, and are certainly prepared to do that when necessary. However, more and more we are able to treat our patients with minimally invasive procedures. This is especially true for varicose veins and venous reflux.” If you are suffering from the symptoms or appearance of varicose veins, or if you have leg symptoms that you think might be related to your circulation, the Board Certified Vascular Surgeon at Shore Vascular & Vein Center is available to help. Most health insurance is accepted.
TESTIMONIAL “My legs look and feel so much better! Making appointments was easy and they worked with my crazy schedule. Dr. Gosin and his staff were very understanding about my care. Highly recommend!” - K.R. The good news is that modern vein care allows for treatment of many of these problems in a far less invasive way than in the past.
Please call for a consultation or for additional information. (609) 927-VEIN (8346) or visit us at www.GetGreatLegs.com.
• The Venefit Procedure The Closure Procedure • Microphlebectomy • Sclerotherapy for treatment of spider veins • Excel V Vascular Laser for treatment of spider veins and unsightly facial veins • IAC Accredited Noninvasive Vascular
Laboratory on site • Enlighten(TM) Laser Tattoo Removal
442 Bethel Road Somers Point, NJ 08244 (609) 927-VEIN (8346)
