What really causes the spasms?
Louise
(tried Nexium and it didn't seem any better).
I also suffer from irritable bowel which has recently
worsened along with the worsening GERD.
I'm not sure I really know what causes the spasms because
sometimes they seem to come from nowhere and I can feel the
acid in my throat. Sometimes I'm able to tolerate even an
"offending" food without a reaction.
I'm also wondering about the role of constipation. It
seems to me that I'm worse when constipated but I can't
seem to "regulate". There are days when I'm fine, but
others when my bowels are in terrible spasm and I will have
to have 7+ movements during the course of several hours;
needless to say, at the end of this, I'm exhausted, crampy
and filled with gas. Colonoscopy is normal.
Louise
vanny
I'm sorry that I can't help more than post this article that might help you
to get more understanding from your doctor regarding the IBS.
It's probably not any help, but I have IBD (Crohn's) and get blockages,
which make my oesophagitis worse. I think it's physics - back pressure etc.
All the best,
Vanny
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/464917
Newly Diagnosed with IBS
What is it?
The term "irritable bowel syndrome" (often called IBS) refers to a
collection of symptoms with no obvious cause. It is not a disease, but a
syndrome -- a group of symptoms that occur together. People with IBS seem to
have perfectly healthy digestive systems, but they frequently develop
cramping pain in the lower abdomen along with either diarrhea or
constipation (sometimes alternating bouts of both). Typically, the pain
flares up after a meal and goes away after defecation. Many people also
experience gas, bloating, small stools, or mucus in the stool. The symptoms
tend to come and go and can occur in any combination.
About 10% to 20% of Americans have IBS at some point in their lives, and
only the common cold causes more missed work time. Women are twice as likely
as men to have the condition.
For many years, doctors thought irritable bowel syndrome was mainly a
condition of the mind. After all, these patients always had normal physical
exams, and many said they noticed symptoms only during times of stress. Many
questions remain, but it's clear that IBS isn't "all in your head."
Researchers now suspect the problem springs from a communication breakdown
between the nerves and muscles that control the colon.
Without the proper controls, the contractions that move waste through the
colon can speed up, leading to painful spasms and diarrhea. Alternatively,
the contractions can become sluggish, setting the stage for constipation.
The colon also becomes extremely sensitive, and even normal contractions can
cause considerable pain.
Stress and anxiety may not cause irritable bowel syndrome, but they can
definitely make symptoms worse. Some people also react strongly to certain
foods and drinks, especially fatty foods, dairy products, and drinks with
alcohol or caffeine.
How do I know I have it?
Doctors can usually diagnose irritable bowel syndrome by taking an inventory
of a patient's symptoms and performing a physical exam. They may also want
to check the blood or stool for other possible causes of the symptoms, such
as parasitic infections or diabetes. Some patients, particularly those over
age 50, also need to have their colon examined with a sigmoidoscope or
colonoscope to rule out colon cancer and other diseases.
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome eventually fade completely for about
30% of patients, but most live with it for the rest of their lives.
Fortunately, IBS doesn't damage the bowels, and it doesn't raise the risk of
colon cancer or any other disease.
What's the treatment?
There's no single game plan for treating irritable bowel syndrome. But with
your doctor's help, you can find an individual approach that works best for
your symptoms.
First, the more you know about your condition, the more you can do to help
yourself. For this reason, it's a good idea to keep a symptom diary for at
least a couple of weeks. Every day, write down your symptoms and what you
were doing before they started. Also keep track of food, drinks, and
emotions. Then look for patterns. If something reliably causes trouble, you
can try to avoid it.
You may find that a simple change of diet works wonders. Many people feel
better after cutting some fat from their meals. If you are constipated,
increasing your fiber intake to 20 or 30 grams every day can help keep you
regular. Doctors used to recommend high-fiber diets for all patients with
irritable bowel syndrome, but there's little evidence this helps with
anything other than constipation. In fact, a high-fiber diet may worsen gas,
bloating, and stomach pain.
If your bouts of IBS seem to go hand-in-hand with stress and anxiety, you
may need to learn how to relax and cope with your feelings. Ask your doctor
about relaxation techniques or counseling.
If necessary, your doctor can prescribe medications to help control your
symptoms. The drugs hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin) and dicyclomine
(Bentyl) can all ease pain and diarrhea by relaxing the colon. If your pain
is intense, or if you also have depression, your doctor may prescribe an
antidepressant. When given in smaller doses than those used to treat
depression, these medications can help block pain.
Lotronex, which affects how the intestines use the chemical messenger
serotonin, has received limited approval for women who suffer from the
severe form of IBS that causes diarrhea. It is no longer approved for other
patients, because some who took Lotronex experienced severe constipation or
reduced blood flow to the large intestine (ischemic colitis). In a few
cases, side effects led to surgery to correct the problem. Seven deaths have
been linked to the medication.
The drug Zelnorm has also been approved to treat IBS symptoms in women on a
short-term basis. The safety and effectiveness of the Zelnorm has not yet
been established in men. Studies of Zelnorm show it helps women whose
primary IBS symptom is constipation. It works by increasing the movement of
stool through the bowels. Use of Zelnorm also reduces bloating as well as
pain and discomfort in the abdominal area.
Zelnorm works by mimicking the effects of the naturally occurring chemical
called serotonin. Lotronex, in contrast, does essentially the opposite -- it
inhibits the action of serotonin.
Over-the-counter medications may be useful, too, but be sure to check with
your doctor first before taking them. The drug loperamide (Imodium A-D) may
help relieve diarrhea. If you have constipation, you may be able to take
over-the-counter laxatives once in a while. Ask your doctor which types, if
any, will work for you and how often you can safely take them.
Reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, March 2002.
Copyright © 2003, Medscape Patient Education
Louise <notr...@seesignature.com> schrieb in im Newsbeitrag:
MPG.1a9231baa...@news.newsguy.com...