Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Blastocystis Hominis

I've been having trouble digesting food for over a month now. I have excesive gas and abdominal pain. I went to the doctor and he had an ultrasound, an endocopy and a tomography done. He said that all are normal and diagnosed me with Irritable bowel syndrome. I also had a stool lab test and the result says that I have a parasite called Blastocystis Hominis (++), but the doctor said that it was normal. I was reading about that parasite and apparently it can give the same symptoms I have. I'm a little confused, because I don't know if what is making me sick is parasite or a colitis. I hope you can show me some light as for what to do. Right now I'm just taking medication for gas and intestine motility and I've felt better, but not good.

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
The sigificance of B.hominis as an organism causing disease remains controversial. Although several studies have suggested an association with irritable bowel syndrome, cause or effect has not been established.
Currently there is no recommendation to treat that infection as it is role in causing disease is not yet established.