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- Archive-name: medicine/irritable-bowel-syndrome-faq
- Posting-frequency: every two weeks
- Last-modified: 1994/12/02
- Version: 1.1.1
-
-
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Frequently Asked Questions
-
- Version 1.1.1 - 12/2/94
- Author: Laura J. Zurawski (juniper@uiuc.edu)
-
- INTRODUCTION
-
- This FAQ deals primarily with questions and problems associated with
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The newsgroup alt.support.crohns-
- colitis, on which this FAQ can be found, may look like it only deals
- with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, but frequenters of the
- groups also discuss IBS, thus, the need for an IBS FAQ.
-
- For a more detailed description of alt.support.crohns-colitis, Crohn's
- Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis, please refer to the "Inflammatory Bowel
- Disease Frequently Asked Questions" FAQ, which is posted to
- alt.support.crohns-colitis once a month.
-
- COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER
-
- See end of FAQ for complete use and distribution information, and all
- applicable disclaimers. This FAQ is by no means meant to be a
- replacement for proper medical treatment from a qualified caregiver.
- You should always check with your doctor if you have any concerns about
- your condition, or before attempting any new treatment program.
-
- OTHER RESOURCES OF INFORMATION
-
- - alt.support.crohns-colitis Information Resources FAQ, posted monthly
- on this newsgroup
-
- - WWW page for bowel disorders: http://qurlyjoe.bu.edu/cduchome.html
- (sorry for the error in last month's post)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- QUESTIONS COVERED IN THIS FAQ
-
- 1.1: What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
- 1.2: Who gets IBS?
- 1.2.1: What factors contribute to the onset of IBS?
- 1.3: What effect does IBS have on one's lifestyle?
-
- 2.1: What are the symptoms of IBS?
- 2.1.1: How severe are these symptoms?
-
- 3.1: How exactly does IBS affect the colon?
- 3.2: Is IBS life-threatening?
- 3.2.1: Will IBS lead to cancer?
- 3.2.2: Will IBS lead to IBD (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis)?
- 3.3: Will my IBS eventually go away, or is it for the rest of my life?
-
- 4.1: How do I know for sure if I have IBS?
- 4.1.1: What medical tests are regularly given for diagnosing IBS?
- 4.1.2: Is IBS really a "cop-out" diagnosis? Should I just accept it?
-
- 5.1: What are the standard treatments for IBS?
- 5.1.1: What is fiber therapy?
- 5.1.2: What sort of dietary modifications are required?
- 5.1.3: What conventional prescription medications are used to treat IBS?
- 5.1.4: Are there any natural or herbal remedies for treating IBS?
- 5.2: How can stress affect IBS?
- 5.2.1: How can keeping a record of my symptoms and triggers be helpful?
- 5.3: With all these different treatments, how do I know which will
- work for me?
-
- 6.1: How does IBS differ from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis?
-
- 7.1: How does IBS differ from gluten enteropathy/celiac disease?
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 1.1: What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
-
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome, also known as "Spastic Colon", "Irritable
- Colon", and "Mucous Colitis", is a surprisingly common affliction in
- this day and age. It is one of the most common complaints treated by
- gastroenterologists. It is characterized by a wide range of symptoms,
- including but not limited to frequent diarrhea and/or constipation and
- abdominal pain.
-
- 1.2: Who gets IBS?
-
- IBS usually surfaces in the early to mid-twenties of adulthood. It
- affects about twice as many women as it does men in the United States.
-
- 1.2.1: What factors contribute to the onset of IBS?
-
- Some factors contributing to its onset are stress level, diet, lack of
- exercise, or genetics.
-
- 1.3: What effect does IBS have on one's lifestyle?
-
- Symptoms and effects can range anywhere from barely noticeable to
- frequently debilitating. Namely, it hits some people harder than
- others. Each person's IBS is different, which is why it is so often
- difficult to diagnose and treat properly.
-
- --
- 2.1: What are the symptoms of IBS?
-
- Everyone's set of individual symptoms is different, which is why it is
- often so difficult to diagnose it in a patient. A person with IBS may
- experience one, several, or all of the following symptoms:
-
- - frequent diarrhea
-
- - frequent constipation
-
- - excessive intestinal gas (flatulence)
-
- - abdominal pain, usually below the navel, and can be sharp and sudden,
- or dull and achy
-
- - "marked urgency", i.e. an overpowering and immediate urge to have to
- use the bathroom
-
- - presence of mucous in the stool (but no blood)
-
- - increased sensitivities to certain foods (common offenders are
- dairy, wheat, raw vegetables, high-fiber foods, fried foods, very
- spicy foods, but can be anything depending on the person)
-
- - possible weight loss, fatigue, lack of energy associated with above
- symptoms
-
- - nausea
-
- 2.1.1: How severe are these symptoms?
-
- It depends on the individual, and the time in that individual's life. A
- person can have IBS yet his or her symptoms will only surface at
- particular times and be "dormant" at other times, or a person may have
- to deal with his or her symptoms every day. Often, IBS will have it's
- "good" periods (when symptoms are not as severe) and "bad" periods (when
- symptoms are at their worst).
-
- --
- 3.1: How exactly does IBS affect the colon?
-
- IBS is characterized as a "motility disorder". Namely, the normal
- contracting motions of the colon are in some way altered -- either the
- colon moves too slowly (resulting in constipation), or too quickly
- (resulting in diarrhea), or it can go in to spasm in certain areas,
- causing abdominal pain, trapped gas, and similar maladies.
-
- 3.2: Is IBS life-threatening?
-
- No. Since the problem is in the motility of the colon, and not caused
- by an inflammation or infectious agent, there is minimal risk of IBS
- becoming life-threatening.
-
- 3.2.1: Will IBS lead to cancer?
-
- No.
-
- 3.2.2: Will IBS lead to IBD (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis)?
-
- It is possible to develop IBS in association with an IBD, but generally
- not the other way around. Most people who are diagnosed with IBS and
- eventually realize they have UC or Crohn's are certain that they had had
- the UC or Crohn's all along, but were simply misdiagnosed with IBS
- previously.
-
- 3.3: Will my IBS eventually go away, or is it here for the rest of my life?
-
- Some people have reported that their IBS symptoms went away completely
- after a certain amount of time or a major change in their lifestyle or
- treatment program. Other cases have reported having to deal with IBS
- for life. Again, it depends on the individual.
-
- --
- 4.1: How do I know for sure if I have IBS?
-
- The ONLY way to be absolutely certain you have IBS is through a doctor's
- diagnosis. A doctor (a *good* doctor, at least) will rule out any
- possibility of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) before even considering
- an IBS diagnosis. Also, it is good to rule out intestinal parasites and
- other afflictions of the lower digestive tract (polyps, diverticulitis,
- obstruction, etc.) and be completely sure that there is nothing else
- wrong with the colon before giving a diagnosis of IBS.
-
- 4.1.1: What medical tests are regularly given for diagnosing IBS?
-
- Tests given are almost always for the express purpose of ruling out
- other afflictions. There is no test for IBS itself.
- Common medical tests a gastroenterologist may prescribe include:
-
- - Lower G.I. x-ray (a.k.a. the barium enema)
-
- - Small bowel series x-ray
-
- - Stool parasite culture
-
- - Flexible sigmoidoscopy and/or colonoscopy
-
- - Nutrient absorption tests (these usually require blood or stool
- sample)
-
-
- 4.1.2: Is IBS really a "cop-out" diagnosis? Should I just accept it?
-
- Only if NO evidence of existing disease, parasite, nutrient absorption
- problem, or severe food allergy can be found should a doctor finally
- diagnose IBS. If you suspect that you have not had a thorough enough
- examination for other afflictions before the doctor tells you that you
- have IBS, you should seek a second opinion.
-
- Many times a person may think that he or she is being "slighted" by
- being given a diagnosis of IBS. Unfortunately, to some doctors, IBS is not
- considered a "true" disease, but rather an unimportant minor condition
- (when in reality it is hardly all that "minor" to those who have to deal
- with it), and therefore may not be given the medical attention it
- deserves. Don't despair; there ARE competent doctors out there who are
- very good at dealing with IBS cases. A good doctor won't just tell you
- that you have IBS and give up on you. He or she should be willing to go
- over your questions and concerns, and outline and monitor a program of
- treatment for your individual case of IBS.
-
- --
- 5.1: What are the standard treatments for IBS?
-
- Since each person's IBS is unique, therefore there really
- is no *one* good general treatment for IBS. Different things work for
- different people, and unfortunately the only way to know exactly what
- works for you is by trial-and-error.
-
-
- 5.1.1: What is fiber therapy?
-
- Fiber therapy involves incorporating more dietary fiber (also called
- bulk or roughage) into the diet. The premise behind this treatment is
- to add bulk to the stool, which aids in both constipation and diarrhea.
-
- Fiber can be added to the diet through the eating of more fiber-rich
- foods, or by taking fiber supplements (common brands are Metamucil,
- Citrucel, and FiberCon).
-
- 5.1.2: What sort of dietary modifications are required?
-
- In some cases, IBS symptoms may be triggered by certain foods. To
- determine what triggers one's symptoms, often one will have to start
- with a very basic, bland diet and gradually add one new food a day and
- record any symptoms associated with that food. Any food found to be a
- trigger for symptoms should then be eliminated from the diet.
-
- 5.1.3: What conventional prescription medications are used to treat IBS?
-
- Conventional medications used in the treatment of IBS include (but are
- not limited to):
-
- - Anti-spasmodic drugs like Bentyl and Levsin
-
- - Anti-depressant drugs like Elavil
-
- - Over-the-counter antacids/anti-gas medications
-
- - Over-the-counter IBS medications ("Equalactin")
-
-
- 5.1.4: Are there any natural or herbal remedies for treating IBS?
-
- It has been shown that peppermint and other herbs that calm the
- digestive system can sometimes be helpful in providing relief for
- certain symptoms. Some people also claim to benefit from other
- forms of natural or "alternative" medicine such as acupuncture,
- biofeedback, nutritional and/or vitamin therapy, massage therapy,
- and various others. **Note, though, that herbal and other forms of
- alternative medicine are not accepted by the medical profession as
- legitimate yet, and should only be used under the supervision of a
- qualified practitioner.**
-
-
- 5.2: How can stress affect IBS?
-
- Many people attest to the fact that stress affects their IBS symptoms.
- The effects of stress on IBS symptoms vary from person to person, but it
- has been suggested that stress management is often beneficial to IBS
- patients.
-
- 5.2.1: How can keeping a record of my symptoms and triggers be helpful?
-
- This will help you to be more aware of what foods or activities are
- detrimental or helpful to your condition. By identifying a pattern of
- foods or activities that cause your symptoms to flare up, you will know
- what to avoid in the future to keep your symptoms more effectively under
- control.
-
-
- 5.3: With all these different treatments, how do I know which will
- work for me?
-
- The only way to know for sure which treatment will work best for you is
- to consult your doctor and discuss which method of treatment would be
- best for you. Sometimes, one has to try several different treatments
- before finding the one that will work the best. The important thing is
- not to get discouraged -- there is something that is right for you.
-
- --
- 6.1: How does IBS differ from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis?
-
- IBS differs from IBD's like UC and Crohn's in that there is usually NO
- trace of blood in the stool, whether the problem be diarrhea or
- constipation or both, and there is no trace of damage to the intestine
- that shows up an any medical tests. Those are a few of the keys to
- recognizing IBS that doctors may use. Also, unlike IBD, IBS is a
- strictly functional disorder, meaning that there is no part of the colon
- that is "diseased" or inflamed, as is the case with UC and Crohn's.
-
- --
- 7.1: How does IBS differ from celiac disease?
-
- People with celiac disease experience marked intestinal symptoms such as
- diarrhea and gas upon the consumption of foods that contain gluten, such
- as products made from wheat, oats, rye, and barley. Upon the
- elimination of gluten-containing foods, the symptoms disappear.
- Some people with IBS may experience an aggravation of symptoms with the
- consumption of similar wheat-related products, but it is not these foods
- that actually cause the symptoms.
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- NOTICE: This document is the sole work and property of the author. It
- may not be redistributed or sold for profit in ANY WAY without consent
- of the author. Permission is granted for the copying of this document
- ONLY for one's own personal use or redistribution to others on a
- strictly informational and NON-profit basis, provided that: A.)the
- document is not edited or modified in any way, B.)the author is not held
- responsible or liable for its content (see disclaimer below), and
- C.)this notice and the disclaimer below remain attached in their
- entirety.
-
- DISCLAIMER: this FAQ is provided by the author as a supplement to the
- newsgroup alt.support.crohns-colitis, and is meant as supplemental
- material only. In no way is this document meant to be a substitute for
- professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor
- should it be implied as such. ALWAYS check with your doctor if you have
- any questions or concerns about your condition, or before starting a new
- program of treatment. The author is strictly a fellow IBS patient
- speaking from her own experience and research, and is _not_ a doctor. The
- author is not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for ANY
- form of damages whatsoever resulting from the use (or misuse) of information
- contained in or implied by this document.
-
- --
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: This FAQ was written using the information the author
- has acquired from a great many sources during the eight years which she
- has lived with IBS. These sources are mainly licensed
- gastroenterologists, especially Eric J. Yegelwel, Arlington Heights,
- Illinois. The author wishes to thank Dr. Yegelwel for his help and
- support over the years.
-
- The author would also like to acknowledge the following people for their
- suggestions, contributions, and references for this FAQ:
-
- Susan Blanc
- Jeanne Zurawski
- Elliott B. Hammett
- Christopher Holmes
- Michael Bloom
- Bill Robertson
- the readers of alt.support.crohns-colitis
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Please send all comments, suggestions, corrections, or ideas for
- improvement of this FAQ to: juniper@uiuc.edu
-
- --
- +==========================================================================+
- Christopher G. Holmes | Data General Corporation, Westboro, MA
- Terminals Development Group| holmes@mrx.webo.dg.com
- & PC Business Unit | Now available in convenient single serving size
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