Please feel free to click on the link below for information on Irritable Bowels Syndrome.
Additional
Resource Material.
Irritable
Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is often referred to as a functional
disorder. Testing is often normal, although a thorough
evaluation should take place. Patients, often, but not
exclusively, female report alternating constipation and
diarrhea associated with crampy abdominal pains that are
relieved with a bowel movement. The stools can be described
as pencil thin. There varying presentations of IBS that
can be constipation or diarrhea predominant. Often high
fiber and fluid diets are recommended, but, unfortunately
are not always helpful. While IBS can severely affect
quality of life, it is unusual to experience fever, marked
weight loss or bleeding. Such alarm symptoms, including
a change in bowel habits, warrant immediate medical attention.
Tests often performed in the diagnostic evaluation include
stool studies for infection, routine lab work, and colonoscopy.
More recently, there has been attention given to the possibility
of bacterial overgrowth in the intestine that may contribute
to IBS. Intestinal bacterial overgrowth can be tested
noninvasively by way of breath testing. Dr. Starpoli offers
breath testing for bacterial overgrowth that may help
in the management of IBS.
