IBS-suggestions

[briane]

my daughter has had a problem with chronic pain around her belly button.  Sometimes its really bad.  They're calling it Irritable Bowell Syndrome.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get this under control?          Thanks

[RTFLY]

Hi...I'm sorry to hear of your dughters misfortunes. Having IBS at a any age is no fun but especially as a child. Who said that your daughter is suffering from IBS and how did they come to that conclusion? Are her stools frequent and loose...accompanied by some mucous? Does she feel the urgency to go after a meal or at stressful times? Any milk allergies? There are medications that can control spasms and also help with anxiety. Also, keep an eye on the diet to see what foods may cause her more problems. Lastly, seek out a good gastroenterologist, if you haven't already. This doctor can examine your daughter and do tests that are appropriate to seek out a definitive diagnosis. I suffered for many years with Irritable Bowel Disease(IBD) that I eventually had to have surgery for. IBD and IBS are related but different. IBD is ulcerative colitis and Crohns. IBS is neither...just a belly that has a mind of it's own! I wish you well and keep us posted. Take care...
                                       JCI...

[SJJK]

WHAT IS COLITIS AND COHRNS.  WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF EACH?

[RTFLY]

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's can actually mimic each other clinically. Both can cause bloody stools, weight loss, painful cramping, and malaise(weakness, fatigue). Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract from the lips of the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis is just confined to the large bowel. On examination via colonoscopy, ulcerative colitis generally shows as redness/sweeling with ulcerations on the inner mucosa(lining) of the large bowel. Ulcerative colitis also usually starts in the rectum or sigmoid colon(lower portion, towards the anus)and moves upward WITH NO SKIP AREAS! I say that with capitals because one of the definitive signs of Crohn's is that it can skip areas in the bowel. You may have a 4 inch diseased section and then skip 6 inches that are healthy and then have another 2 inch diseased area. Ulcerative colitis does not present this way. Also, Crohn's affects all lining's of the bowel. Ulcerative colitis, if severe enough, can cause the bowel to dilate to the point where it MAY perforate. However, the disease is usually controlled enough to where this event is becoming rare. Crohn's can cause other problems as well that can be answered by someone more familiar with the disease then myself. I suffered for 9 years with ulcerative colitis that I had to finally have surgery for because medications and diet did not remedy the problem. Another visitor to this forum, kimbacat, would certainly be someone who can share her experiences of dealing Crohn's disease. She has a lot of info on treatments and dealing with the disease itself. I hope this helps a little. If you are experiencing any type of bowel problems, especially if there is bleeding involved, you need to be checked out by a physician, a GI doc would be ideal. Bloody stools do not always mean a horrible diagnosis but it is something that needs to be addressed. Take care...
                                               JCI

[SJJK]

My daughters only symptoms are loose stools and once in awhile sharp stomach cramps.  No blood in stools at all.  She has not yet had her period. She was 16 in August, wondering if that has anything to do with it.  She is small for her age, delayed development. She is about 5'1, 89 lbs.  Any ideas?

[katec]

I've had IBS since I was 15 and I'm 23 now.  There are a few things that really lessen the effects for me.  No dairy, at all, whatsover.  When I do cheat and have some, I suffer for several days.  I drink soy milk, and you do acquire a taste for it!  I have soy yogurt, soy cheese, olive oil margarine, anything dairy free.  No raw vegetables; carrots, brocolli, celery. .  .my system finds them too hard to digest.   Smaller meals, more frequently, gives your stomach less to process.  The last thing which is something I found since I've been in New Zealand is Aloe Vera Juice, I have two tablespoons in the morning and two at night, it soothes the stomach and seems to make the biggest difference.  I used to take all sorts of medications, but they did nothing.  
Good Luck,
happy to answer any questions.
Kate

[tpr]

A related discussion, Need to know more about crohns just diagnosed was started.