Questions and Answers about Irritable Bowel Syndrome|IBS


I did not have any GI problems until 4 months ago when I have surgery for my appendix. Could a surgery like this result in IBS? Dr. Drossman: Yes this is possible. We now understand that an infection of the bowel like a bacterial gastroenteritis, procedures on the bowel (including colonoscopy) or operations can ... read more 2008-03-28 10:23:45 Do some foods cause more allergic reactions than others? Dr. Tobin: In adults, the foods that most commonly cause allergic reactions, such as swelling, skin rashes, hives, and diarrhea, are fish, shellfish, tree nuts, and peanuts. ... read more 2008-03-28 06:29:28 Yesterday when I ate a piece of banana, my lip swelled up. I have eaten bananas before without a problem. Will I continue to have this problem from now on? Dr. Tobin: This will most likely continue to happen to some degree. Your reaction to the banana can be a sign of other allergies as well. Some people ... read more 2008-01-24 20:20:04
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I have some bad memories from my childhood. Do you think my current problem with IBS has to do any thing with those thoughts?

Dr. Drossman: IBS is a disorder where the symptoms of pain, diarrhea and constipation can be influenced by ... read more
2007-11-06 10:59:14

Is food allergy related to IBS?

Dr. Tobin: It can be. With a food allergy the abdominal pain or discomfort can be accompanied by ... read more
2007-11-06 10:33:47

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I have constipation and each time I have to strain a lot. I do not have any abdominal pain or other symptoms. Do I have IBS?
Dr. Drossman: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is diagnosed when there is a combination of symptoms, specifically abdominal pain ...   read more
2007-11-06 10:56:59

I cannot tolerate milk. Each time I drink milk, I have bloating and diarrhea. Is this a milk allergy?
Dr. Tobin: This is not a milk allergy. This reaction is typical for lactose intolerance. This is caused ...   read more
2007-11-06 10:55:57

I have abdominal pain and cramps that relieves with bowel movement for 4 weeks. My stool is some how looser when I have pain. A few months ago I had the same symptoms for 4 weeks. Do I have IBS or not?
Dr. Drossman: Possibly. It is not uncommon for individuals to experience pain and bowel symptoms like diarrhea in ...   read more
2007-11-06 10:55:42

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I have heard that there is camera that can show the entire gastrointestinal system. Should I get this test as part of work-up for IBS?
Dr. Farhadi: Pillcam ® is a very small camera that can fit into a pill size capsule and ...   read more
2007-12-25 01:38:38

What tests are available for finding food allergies?
Dr. Tobin: When trying to see if there is a food allergy, it is important to keep a ...   read more
2007-12-07 07:26:26

What is SmartPill® Gastrointestinal (GI) Monitoring System and does it have any role in IBS?
Dr. Farhadi: The SmartPill® Gastrointestinal (GI) Monitoring System is an ingestible capsule which measures pressure, acidity and temperature ...   read more
2007-11-06 10:57:54

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I used to chew gum all the time. Since I read your book and thought about it, I stopped for a few days, and the bloating and discomfort I had for long time went away. Is this possible?
Dr. Farhadi: Yes. Why not? Different kinds of gum contain a lot of sweeteners like Sorbitol and other ...   read more
2008-04-25 14:07:34

What is Iberogast? Does this herbal remedy have any potential for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome?
Dr. Brown: Iberogast is an herbal medicine being used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in Germany ...   read more
2008-03-22 07:55:02

I saw the advertisement for a live bacteria, VSL#3, in the newspaper. What is this bacteria, and will it help my IBS?
Dr. Farhadi: VSL#3® is a probiotic. Probiotics are beneficial live bacteria that survive the digestion process and therefore ...   read more
2008-01-05 12:15:40

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