Diet and Health FAQ

Tagged As: Ibs Disease

Question:
Due to the severe discomfort the last few days I have therefore done quite a bit of research over the last couple of days into IBS and other bowel diseases. I was beginning to think that maybe I had IBS but after researching Diverticular Disease which apparently has the symptom of lower left stomach pain, maybe I could have this? A question - With IBS is the pain also on the lower left of the stomach or does it vary?

Answer:
If you get old enough you will eventually in all likelihood get diverticuli in you colon. �(By the time you are 70 or 80) However, for many people this is an asymptomatic condition unless one of them gets infected. If you had a clear barium enema just a year ago it doesn't seem that likely that you are currently symptomatic with divirticulitis, but any increase in symptoms should be run past your doctor. If the symptoms are very bad go to the ER, it is possible to get obstructed so if you have had no BM's for over a week it may be time to get checked out. IBS TYPICALLY waxes and wanes so it can be hard to tell if you have something new going on, or just a flare up of the IBS. �IBS is chronic, with a low remission rate so once you have it you tend to keep having it. I've done medical transcription in the pediatric gastrointestinal specialty, and at least in the kids, this seems to be a rather chronic problem. �If something throws these kids off for even one day (like dehydration, improper food), it can set them back pretty bad and really quickly. Actually, it is a good idea to have a full physical examination. �Not only can it reveal problems, but it can help establish normal baselines that can be used in the future in case of illness. � Never feel guilty about visiting a physician.