Resolved question:
I have been having pretty bad intestinal problems. I struggle with bowel movements. Sometimes I go days without one at all then have to urgently go almost every hour some days. When I do go my stool is either very dark brown or a bright yellow and are always filled with a ton of mucus. This is starting to be a real concern and affect my life. I get lower abdominal cramps a lot and hear a weird gurgling in my lower intestines as well. I don’t know if this affects my problems at all but I get yeast infections often.
Submitted:
October 17 2012
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello,
Thank you for using Ask a Doctor Services from DoctorSpring.
Please note the services on this website are not completely live now, however we will be providing free answers now. This service is free and Your Credit Card / Paypal will not be charged.
The symptoms you described points towards to more or less a functional bowel problem. Varying bowel frequency, cramps, and mucus in the stool suggests a strong possibility of a disease entity called Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Its primary symptoms are abdominal pain and altered bowel habits (eg, constipation and/or diarrhea), but these symptoms have no identifiable cause.
That said, I am not certainly saying that the diagnosis is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Because you will need to get some tests done by a Physician/ Gastroenterologit before diagnosis IBS. Its better to rule out other conditions like Chrons Disease, Infection associated bowel conditions etc. A few blood tests and an Endoscopic study may also be needed.
IBS can be cure if the symptoms are recent onset (as in Infection associated IBS). If its chronic/long term the symptoms can be successfully controlled using medications. You may want to regulate your diet habits also. Avoid milk and diary products for sometime. And if you find any food items are causing abdominal discomfort avoid them also.
To help you better, I would also like to know
1.For how long you are having theses symptoms
2.Have you ever passed blood in the motion ?
3.Do you have an incomplete feeling of evacuation after passing the stool ?
4.Do you expereince Noticeable difference in stool form
5.Do you have fever or loss of weight ?
Thank you.
Thank you for your response. I have long since suspected that I have IBS.
To answer your questions:
1. I have had these symptoms (as described in my initial post) for about 3 years
2. I do not think I ever pass blood
3. I do have an incomplete feeling of evacuation after passing stool
4.I do, very frequently, have noticeable differences in stool form, all being abnormal
5. I do not have a fever or weight loss
What sort of medications can I take for IBS? I an uninsured and tests would be hard to get done so if you could help me that would be extremely appreciated.
Hello,
Thank you for the additional information provided. I hate to come to a conclusion without a complete physical examination, but a diagnosis of IBS is highly probable in your case.
Sorry, medical prescription or treatment of any sort is out of the scope of our website. But I will try to help as much as I can within these limitations.
First thing you got to have is a complete and scientific understanding of the IBS. This link will give you all the information you need
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/irritable-bowel-syndrome-beyond-the-basics?source=search_result&search=ibs&selectedTitle=1~17
Even though the disease process is not fully understood, medical science has come up with some highly successful treatment options. And unlike disease like Chrons, Ulcerative Collitis - IBS itself is not damaging to your body, stomach and intestines. Even though the symptoms are troublesome, the disease process is not. So stay positive and with proper medical support you can lead a normal life. By the way you are not alone, IBS is supposed to be one among the 10 most common causes for a Doctor vistit in USA . I would strongly recommend you to get in touch with a Medical Gastroenterologist or Family Physician with experience in treating IBS. The Doctor will start you on appropriate medications. An antispasmodic ( Dicyclomine, Hyoscyamine) helps in relieving the pain. Antidiarrhoeal agents are used for diarrhea predominant IBS. Antidepressents and a short course of antibiotic can also help.
(*cont...)
Having good diet strategy and a Diet record will help. Here are few points you should know.
1. Lactose — Given the similarity that may occur in symptoms of IBS and lactose intolerance, a lactose free diet should be considered for at least for some duration as a test.
2. Exclusion of gas-producing foods — Exclusion of foods that increase flatulence (beans, onions, celery, carrots, raisins, bananas, apricots, prunes, brussel sprouts, wheat germ, pretzels, and bagels) should be considered if you complain of gas.
3.Try avoiding gluten containing foods and see if there is a response.
4. Increase the fiber intake.
5. Do not delay medical help.
Wishing you the very best. Please feel free to ask follow-up questions if you have any. You can mark the consultation complete by clicking the complete button.
Thank you.