Diet and Health FAQ

Tagged As: Cure For Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Question:
Because of my symptoms, my doctor suspects irritable bowel syndrome.  He has advised that I have a procto test, and barium enema.  A friend who has had the tests told me they were very painful with a lot of cramping during the examination.  Because of this, I have not had the tests done. Are these tests in fact really painful?

Answer:
Those tests for irritable bowel syndrome are unpleasant and uncomfortable, with cramping that can last 24 hour, but the at the very least the peace of mind they buy is very well worth it, and it is all over very quickly.  Compared with surgeries and other bowel exams they are a minor inconvenience, especially if they diagnosis a problem or rule out a problem. I have a functional bowel disorder (== iritable bowel syndrome) and went to see a homeopathic doctor about it, as well as about some adult acne. The bowel problems turned out to be mostly due to an allergy to milk. My doctor has tried a combination of homeopathic and herbal treatments for the problem. The homeopathic medicines he's given me are Natrum Muriaticum, Nux Vomica, and now Arsenicum Album. Herbally, he's given me Digestodoron (an Anthroposophic medicine) and Intestinalis (an herbal combination). My problems are not yet completely resolved although I'd say they're 75% better. I still must strictly avoid anything containing dairy or have a bad reaction that lasts for days. My doctor is of the opinion that my acne is caused by my digestive problems, and as they clear up, the acne will go away. Homeopathic treatment for irritable bowel syndrome usually means constitutional treatment. In constitutional homeopathic treatment, the doctor tries to get a complete picture of the patient. His or her problems on the mental, emotional, and physical levels. This includes such seemingly small matters as whether one is a chilly or a hot person, what position one sleeps in, and food cravings and aversions. Using this information, the doctor tries to find a medicine that covers all the patient's problems as well as the main complaint. For example, a person with irritable bowel syndrome who is aggressive, argumentative, overstressed, and drinks too much coffee might get Nux Vomica while a patient who craves sympathy, weeps easily, and is worse from fatty foods might get Pulsatilla. And there are very many other symptom pictures that describe other homeopathic medicines that might also be prescribed for irritable bowel syndrome.