I have a severe constipation that has been diagnosed as IBS, I have one or two motions per week. Inspite of having many meals. I have a severe bloating as well as a consequence, what do you suggest I do? I'm afraid of taking laxatives, I have an extremely busy and tight schedule and I can't afford a diarrhea that they might cause?
Answer
The best course of action is to keep regular as best as possible. Perhaps a mild stool softener or laxative may be the best answer. You may want to also try taking more fiber in your diet which can help regularity of bowel movements.
You might also want to try to time the use of laxatives in the evening hours when you may be at home and not at work.
Name
farzana
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Profession
Question
I am a 56 yr old woman who has been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. With this I also have hidden reflux and heartburn. Sometimes I have this sharp pain in the centre of my chest that goes to the back as well. I have hiccups often with the bloated feeling.
Sometimes due to the acid reflux, I cant get a breath in and its very distressful. I have a lingering cough too. I have tried all the regular medicines like Pariet, Somac and Zantac. Nothing seems to help.I will be very grateful if you can throw some light on my problems.
Answer
As with any chest pain, I always recommend that you follow up with your physician to make certain that this is not more than just "Reflux" As it may be signs of other hidden problems, namely cardiac disease.
To help your reflux symptoms in the mean time, you may want to try omeprazole twice daily. However, again, I must stress that you discuss treatment options with your physician prior to starting any therapy without their knowledge.
Name
Editor
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Profession
Question
Please give us a brief explanation of what irritable bowel syndrome is and its symptoms.
Answer
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder which is mainly characterized by chronic abdominal pain and an alteration in bowel habits. However, more importantly, this diagnosis is usually made in the absence of other GI disorders, meaning that there has been a GI work up by a physician and no other GI disorders which have been diagnosed.
This diagnosis is what is termed a diagnosis of "exclusion". Meaning a full work up has been down and no other causes are identified. That being said, it is still the most commonly diagnosed GI condition.
IBS can be characterized by a change in bowel habits, diarrhea and constipation are common. Bowel movements may sometimes be diarrhea and then constipation or vice versa. They may also be mixed.
Younger patients and women are more prone to being diagnosed with IBS in the absence of other GI disorders.
Abdominal pain in IBS tends to be crampy and may precede a bowel movement. Bowel movement may cause the abdominal pain to subside or resolve.
IBS has also been linked with anxiety, which may play a role in the exacerbation and worsening in symptoms.
Name
Aya
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Profession
Question
I heard that probiotics are good for people with irritable bowel syndrome, is this true and what is the best diet for someone complaining of this?
Answer
Probiotics are a good start to bowel regularity. Recommendations have been made to increase dietary fiber as well.
Someone with IBS may want to stay away from foods which they find gas producing, constipating, or irritating (causing heart burn or reflux). Avoidance of carbonated beverages may also help.
Of course, you should speak to your physician prior to making any assumptions of having IBS.
Name
MOHAMMED HABIBULLAH
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Profession
Auidt and Accounts
Question
As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah. What are food items which are susceptible (prone) to foster IBS? And what are the least?
Answer
Everyone responds differently to different foods.
Recommendations would be to keep a journal of bowel habits after taking certain foods which cause a change in bowel habits. One should log the results. Foods that may be too constipating, irritating or diarrhea producing should be avoided. Again, people respond differently to food.
A common recommendation is to take more fiber in your diet. This seems to help bowel regularity. As always, please consult with your physician if you have a concerning change in bowel habits.
Name
Hussein
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Profession
Question
I have been suffering from intestinal discomfort and chronic constipation for several years now. I have had several ultrasounds to my abdominal area as well as stool analyses. Each time they come out free of any problem. How can I know if the reason for my problems is IBS?
Answer
Without a detailed history and physical it is difficult to make a diagnosis of IBS.
Briefly, IBS is characterized with a change in bowel habits, either constipation or diarrhea along with abdominal bloating and cramping. Symptoms seem to improve after bowel movement. With IBS, the sensation of not fully evacuating bowels is usually present as well.
You may want to seek the advice of a physician to help aid you in this diagnosis. Consultation with a gastroenterologist may also be necessary to help make the diagnosis of IBS.
Name
Nadirah
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Profession
Question
I have been diagnosed with IBS several years ago. The causes are not physical but rather psychological ones. Does this requires a special diet to reduce the pain or is it just a stress issue?
Can you kindly tell me what kind of food shall i stay away from during this hard time???
Answer
If the IBS is linked with a stressor, then avoidance of certain foods may not help. The best course is avoidance or a reduction in events which cause the stress.
However, if you know that a certain food may cause additional constipation or diarrhea, then it should be avoided. People respond differently to different foods. So only you would know which foods cause a change in bowel habits for you.
An increase in dietary fiber may help.
Name
Farzana
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Profession
Masters of social work student
Question
For the past 6 months I am having a weird problem around my bowel area. I started having constipation with enormous bloating and it went like that for 5 weeks. The Doctor put me on MOVICOL and I have to take 8 sachets of it now altogether every 10 days. Once I take the movicol, I will have bowel movement but less bloating. Again after 10 to 12 days, I start having too much bloating again and stuck with bowel. I eat healthy food, I exercise, I drink water a lot, I take psyllium husk.....nothing works. After the bowel, I feel its complete. But there is no pain or cramping feeling. So, I am really confused and I dont know what to do. How long do I need to take Movicol which is so dangerous for health. I am very distressed because of this problem.
Answer
It sounds like you are doing everything correct. Perhaps taking "Movicol" more regularly may help improve your constipating symptoms.
Though, I would recommend you follow up with your physician. A simple call may clarify your concerns.
Name
Anoyomous
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Profession
Question
Is excessive gas -- like passing a lot of gas every hour--a symptom of Irritable bowel syndrome?
Answer
Flatulence and "passing gas" are nonspecific symptoms which may be caused by IBS. However, flatulence is usually not the only symptom.
Name
Hala
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Profession
Question
Assalam Alykom,
thanks for the session. Does taking librax medication for IBS for a long period of time (five years)has any side effects???
Answer
Librax has been known to cause dizziness, confusion, dry mouth among other symptoms. It should NOT be taken in pregnancy.
You should discuss side effects with your physician to help avoid them.
Name
Faisal
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Profession
Question
ASA, What exactly is irritable bowel syndrome? Is that some type of irritation from infection?
Answer
IBS is not linked with any active infection. In fact, if you are diagnosed with an infection, particularly gastrointestinal, then IBS is difficult to diagnose.
I would refer you to previous answers in order to get a definition of IBS.
Name
Nisma
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Profession
Question
Thanks for opening the platform for us and discuss irritable bowel syndrome problems.
I suffer form IBS for about 8 years and I'm 23 years old now. Once the pain starts (which lasts for a few days and sometimes weeks) I lose a great deal of weight so quickly. I turn pale yellow in color that it can be noticed by everyone. My question is how can I avoid this sudden loss of weight and does it have any negative effect on the functions of my body????
Thanks again.
Answer
Yellowish color and weight loss is not consistent with IBS. I would direct you to seek additional care with your physician in order to find the cause.
Name
Anonomose
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Profession
Question
I have bad bowel movements and it is too difficult to go to the bathroom. My doctor says that I should use laxatives but laxatives make me nauseous. He did mention irritation of the bowel. Are there natural remedies for this?
Answer
You may want to try more fiber in your diet. Fiber is all natural. Perhaps you may want to try a different laxative. Some do cause nausea, but not all.
Name
Editor
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Profession
Question
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Answer
The session has just ended. We would like to thank Dr. Abdul Amir for taking the time to answer your questions, and all those who participated in the dialogue.
