The Approach Of A Gastroenterologist
Gastroenterology is primarily a specialty in assessing the structure of the digestive tract. Gastroenterologists are experts in evaluating how the digestive tract looks and in very specific diseases of the digestive tract, not syndromes or symptoms that can only be described by the patient but not seen by the doctor.
Gastroenterologists primarily focus on the visual inspection of the digestive tract, like performing colonoscopies and upper endoscopies. They also do other imaging work of the GI tract, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, x-rays, and even pill cameras.
They may also perform studies that assess the motility of the digestive tract. Therefore, if you go to a gastroenterologist, your diagnosis will be based on these types of testing.
Gastroenterologists are focused on diagnosing ulcers, polyps, cancers, and other physically and visually apparent abnormalities of the digestive tract. This is a very important specialty, and their significance cannot be overstated. However, this does not mean that they are experts in everything related to digestion.
Gastroenterologists have no special training in immunology even though the digestive tract is the single most concentrated area of immune activity in the body, nor do they have any special training in diet or nutrition, or most types of reactions to foods. They also do not have any special training in the use of different types of probiotics, different types of enzymes, or the treatment of deficiencies of stomach acid.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Ibs
Your doctor may be able to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome based on a review of your medical history, symptoms, and physical exam. Your doctor may also order tests.
To diagnose IBS, your doctor will take a complete medical history and perform a physical exam.
Medical History
The medical history will include questions about the following things:
- your symptoms
- stressful events related to the start of your symptoms
Your doctor will look for a certain pattern in your symptoms. Your doctor may diagnose IBS if you have the following symptoms:
- your symptoms started at least six months ago
- youve had pain or discomfort in your abdomen at least three times a month for the past 3 months
- your abdominal pain or discomfort has two or three of the following features:
- Your pain or discomfort improves after a bowel movement.
- You notice a change in how often you have a bowel movement.
- You notice a change in the way your stools look.
Physical Exam
During a physical exam, your doctor usually does the following things:
- checks for abdominal bloating
- listens to sounds within your abdomen using a stethoscope
- taps on your abdomen checking for tenderness or pain
Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation
It isimportant to find a solution that works best for you so you can find relief andenjoy the best quality of life possible despite IBS-C. Your healthcare providerwill try to help you manage your symptoms. Recommendations generally begin withchanges to lifestyle and diet. If those changes do not bring relief,over-the-counter products or prescription medications may be prescribed.
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Include The Following Information In The Cdhf App:
- Jot down key personal and medical information, including any recent changes or stressful events in your life in the notes section of the app.
- Make a list of the triggers that seem to make your symptoms worse in the notes section of the app.
- Track the medications are you taking, including the conditions you take them for. Also note if any of your medications seem to affect your symptoms.
- Talk to your family members and note if any relatives have been diagnosed with IBS, inflammatory bowel disease , celiac disease or colon cancer.
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What To Do If You Think You Have Ibs
If you have symptoms of IBS that interfere with your quality of life, visit a primary care doctor near you, who can help diagnose IBS and rule out other diseases that mimic it. If you dont already have a physician, you can use the Healthline FindCare tool to find a provider near you.
IBS is diagnosed by recurrent abdominal pain for at least 6 months, combined with weekly pain for 3 months as well as some combination of pain relieved by bowel movements and changes in frequency or form of bowel movements.
Your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist, a specialist in digestive diseases, who can help you identify triggers and discuss ways to control your symptoms.
Lifestyle changes, such as a low-FODMAPs diet, stress relief, exercise, drinking plenty of water and over-the-counter laxatives can also help. Interestingly, a low-FODMAPs diet is one of the most promising lifestyle changes for alleviating symptoms .
Identifying other trigger foods can be difficult, as these are different for each person. Keeping a diary of meals and ingredients can help identify triggers (
Additionally, avoiding digestive stimulants, such as caffeine, alcohol and sugary beverages, can reduce symptoms in some people .
If your symptoms dont respond to lifestyle changes or over-the-counter treatments, there are several medications proven to help in difficult cases.
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Types Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
There are 2 main types of irritable bowel syndrome: IBS-C and IBS-D.
Primary Care Physician Near Me In Sarasota And Lakewood Ranch Fl
If you believe your digestive discomfort is due to IBS, look no further than the primary care physicians at Intercostal Medical Group. Our primary care physicians and gastroenterologists have established a reputation of excellence in effectively treating and managing GIT disorders like irritable bowel syndrome . Our primary care physicians are delighted to help patients take better care of their digestive health and, if necessary, can refer you to a gastroenterologist that serve patients at our Cattleridge Medical Building and Lakewood Ranch II location.
Call our office near you to set up an appointment with one of our primary care physicians or fill out our online appointment form.
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Referral To A Gastroenterologist
Your primary care doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist if your IBS is complicated to treat. While lifestyle changes and medications can help keep this condition at bay, some people have a more difficult time keeping the condition under control than others. In such a situation, you may be referred to a specialist for treatment.
What Ibs Is And Isnt
IBS is a functional disorder of the colon that causes crampy abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea. IBS is not the occasional bout of diarrhea that resolves on its own, which most adults have about four times a year. Rather, IBS is a chronic condition with symptoms that don’t resolve on their own, or are worsened by particular stimuli or triggers.
IBS is not ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. IBS will not lead to colon cancer nor will it cause blood in the stool. IBS is known as a functional gastrointestinal disorder because no structural or biochemical cause can be found to explain the symptomsthe colon shows no evidence of disease, such as ulcers or inflammation.
Other conditions that may be confused with IBS include lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and diverticulitis.
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How Is Ibs Diagnosed By A Doctor
To diagnose IBS, your doctor will primarily ask you about your symptoms and their frequency. It can be hard for some people to talk about GI problems with their doctor, but being open and honest with your physician is the best way for them to diagnose your symptoms and make a treatment plan that works for you.
Your doctor may ask questions like:
- What kinds of gastrointestinal symptoms are you experiencing?
- How frequently do you experience symptoms? Do they come and go, or do they happen almost every day?
- Are symptoms triggered by certain foods?
- Do you notice symptoms appearing during or after times of stress?
- Do you have a family history of IBS or other gastrointestinal conditions?
Currently, there are no laboratory tests that can diagnose IBS. However, your doctor may recommend you receive certain tests in order to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms.
Doctors diagnose IBS based on your history of symptoms and a lack of evidence of other conditions. If youre concerned that your abdominal pain may be IBS, talk to your doctor.
How Can My Diet Treat The Symptoms Of Ibs
Eating smaller meals more often, or eating smaller portions, may help your irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Large meals can cause cramping and diarrhea if you have IBS.
Eating foods that are low in fat and high in carbohydrates, such as pasta, rice, whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits, and vegetables, may help.
Fiber may improve constipation symptoms caused by IBS because it makes stool soft and easier to pass. Fiber is a part of foods such as whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, fruits, and vegetables. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services state in its Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 that adults should get 22 to 34 grams of fiber a day.
While fiber may help constipation, it may not reduce the abdominal discomfort or pain of IBS. In fact, some people with IBS may feel a bit more abdominal discomfort after adding more fiber to their diet. Add foods with fiber to your diet a little at a time to let your body get used to them. Too much fiber at once can cause gas, which can trigger symptoms in people with IBS. Adding fiber to your diet slowly, by 2 to 3 grams a day, may help prevent gas and bloating.
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What Are The Four Types Of Ibs
Doctors often classify IBS into one of four types based on your usual stool consistency. These types are important because they affect the types of treatment that are most likely to improve your symptoms.
The four types of IBS are
- IBS with constipation, or IBS-C
- hard or lumpy stools at least 25 percent of the time
- loose or watery stools less than 25 percent of the time
Ibs Awareness Month: Can My Primary Care Physician Diagnose Me With This Condition
April is dedicated to raising awareness about IBS , a common chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder that manifests as abdominal pain, cramping, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or sometimes both.
If you suspect you may have IBS, talk to your primary care doctor. In most cases, primary care physicians can recommend a variety of treatments to alleviate IBS. In the situation that your IBS is complicated to treat, your primary care physician may refer you to an in-network gastroenterologist.
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How Can I Reduce The Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Although IBS cannot be prevented, symptoms can be reduced, and healthy lifestyle habits can often help.
Careful changes to your diet can help reduce the symptoms of IBS.
One tip that may help you reduce your symptoms is to simply increase your intake of high-fibre foods.
It is best to slowly increase your fibre intake up to the recommended daily dose to avoid bloating and wind-related discomfort.
The current recommendation for adults is to eat at least 25g to 30g of fibre each day. In a typical day, try to include 1 serving of high-fibre breakfast cereal in the morning, at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables throughout the day and 3 servings of dairy foods if you are lactose intolerant, chose a dairy-free or low lactose alternative as well as 6 to 8 glasses of water.
If this is difficult for you, ask your pharmacist for a soluble fibre supplement, such as psyllium.
Some foods and drinks commonly trigger IBS, so try to reduce your intake of the following to see if this helps:
- gas-producing foods, such as onion, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, dried beans, lentils and cauliflower
- foods with lactose such as milk, ice-cream, some yoghurts
- alcoholic drinks
- artificial sweeteners in food and drink, such as aspartame, sorbitol and mannitol
A dietitian can help you identify your individual triggers and can work with you to create a balanced diet that suits you.
What Are The Different Types Of Ibs
Researchers categorize IBS based on the type of bowel movement problems you have. The kind of IBS can affect your treatment. Certain medicines only work for certain types of IBS.
Often, people with IBS have normal bowel movements some days and abnormal ones on other days. The type of IBS you have depends on the abnormal bowel movements you experience:
- IBS with constipation : Most of your poop is hard and lumpy.
- IBS with diarrhea : Most of your poop is loose and watery.
- IBS with mixed bowel habits : You have both hard and lumpy bowel movements and loose and watery movements on the same day.
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What Happens At Your Gp Appointment
The GP will ask about your symptoms, such as:
- what symptoms you have
- if they come and go
- how often you get them
- when you get them
- how long you’ve had them for
Before your appointment, it might help to write down details of your symptoms to help you remember them.
The GP may also feel your tummy to check for lumps or swelling.
What Is Ibs Treatment
No specific therapy works for everyone, but most people with IBS can find a treatment that works for them. Your healthcare provider will personalize your IBS treatment plan for your needs. Typical treatment options include dietary and lifestyle changes. A dietitian can help you create a diet that fits your life.
Many people find that with these changes, symptoms improve:
Dietary changes:
- Increase fiber in your diet eat more fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts.
- Add supplemental fiber to your diet, such as Metamucil® or Citrucel®.
- Drink plenty of water eight 8-ounce glasses per day.
- Avoid caffeine .
- Limit cheese and milk. Lactose intolerance is more common in people with IBS. Make sure to get calcium from other sources, such as broccoli, spinach, salmon or supplements.
- Try the low FODMAP diet, an eating plan that can help improve symptoms.
Activity changes:
- Try relaxation techniques.
- Eat smaller meals more often.
- Record the foods you eat so you can figure out which foods trigger IBS flare-ups. Common triggers are red peppers, green onions, red wine, wheat and cows milk.
Medical changes:
What happens if medications dont work?
In some cases, symptoms dont respond to medical treatment. Your provider may refer you for mental health therapies. Some patients find relief through:
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What New Problems Could Develop If You Have Tests
Most tests have some risks. But the chance of a serious problem from a test is low.
Some of the tests, such as flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, may be uncomfortable. People with IBS may find these tests more uncomfortable than do people who don’t have IBS.
There is usually little risk in not having tests if your symptoms match those of IBS. The more of these symptoms you have, the more likely it is that you have IBS.
If you have a more serious problem, your symptoms are likely to get worse.
“Alarm symptoms” also may show that you have a more serious problem. These symptoms include:
Your doctor might recommend tests if:
- Your symptoms are getting worse.
- Your symptoms have come on quickly over the past few weeks to months.
- Your symptoms don’t match those of most people who have IBS.
- You are older than 50.
- You have blood or pus in your stool.
- You have alarm symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, fever, or diarrhea at night.
- Your pain often wakes you up at night.
What Are The Risks Of Not Having Tests
There is usually little risk in not having tests if your symptoms match those of IBS. The more of these symptoms you have, the more likely it is that you have IBS.
If you have a more serious problem, your symptoms are likely to get worse.
“Alarm symptoms” also may show that you have a more serious problem. These symptoms include:
If you have any of these alarm symptoms, or if your symptoms get worse, your doctor will probably recommend tests. If you have a family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, your doctor will probably recommend tests.
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Prescription Drugs For Ibs
IBS-Dpatients suffer from a multitude of symptoms including abdominal pain,bloating, and diarrhea. The commonly used prescription drugs only address asingle symptom rather than the constellation of symptoms observed in IBS-Dpatients. Recent advancements in the treatment of IBS have produced newermedications that not only treat the multiple symptoms but have beenspecifically studied and approved for use by Health Canada in IBS-D patients.
Physiciansmay now prescribe one or a combination of drugs that:
- reduce abdominal pain byblocking the pain signals to the brain
- relax the muscles in thegut to reduce diarrhea and the urgent, uncontrollable need to use the washroom
- reduce both abdominal andbowel symptoms including pain, bloating, urgency and diarrhea Your doctor candetermine if a combination or a single treatment is right for you.
Think you may have IBS? Read this article.