Q: I am 75 years young. About 10 years ago I was told I had IBS. It started out with constipation and an ache in my lower left side. Never diarrhea, but a lot of gas.
I take magnesium capsules for constipation which has helped that. The side ache I can live with but the gas is driving me crazy. It is a lot worse in the PM. I have taken everything they sell over the counter plus some prescription medication but nothing helps. Is there anything that will counteract flatulence? It is real bad and real strong. As my husband once said, I have enough gas to run my motor home to Sacramento and back. Can you help?
A: IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a rather common disorder that affects the intestinal tract. It can cause abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating and changes in bowel movements such as constipation and diarrhea. IBS does not cause inflammation, nor does it increase a person’s risk for developing colorectal cancer. This disorder can often be managed through diet alone. It affects everyone differently and symptoms vary from bout to bout, with some being reasonably mild and others extremely disturbing.
Intestinal walls are lined with multiple layers of muscle. They contract and relax in a smooth rhythm as food moves from the stomach through the intestinal tract and to the rectum. With your condition, food is propelled through the intestines more slowly than a person without IBS causing stools harden. This is what causes the symptoms – including the gas – you experience. For others, however, just the opposite occurs. The food passes more quickly. Both abnormalities create discomfort.
Triggers for IBS include foods, some medications and stress. The consumption of alcohol, chocolate and milk can worsen symptoms. Keep in mind that sugar-free gums and candies, caffeine and lactose can cause symptoms that mimic IBS. Fruits and carbonated beverages can lead to bloating and discomfort. Because more women than men are likely to suffer from IBS, it is believed that hormones might play a role. And, as with so many conditions, stress can trigger an attack.
Diagnosis of IBS is often done through the process of elimination with you and your physician reviewing whether at least two of the following: your symptoms have been present for at least three months, if you’ve have a change in bowel habits, bloating, or the feeling you cannot empty your bowels completely. A physician might order specific testing to include laboratory work, a lactose intolerance test, flexible sigmoidoscopy or even a colonoscopy. In your case, you appear to have a knowledgeable physician and you are well-informed of your condition, so I recommend you direct your attention toward eliminating foods high in gas from your diet. They include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, raw fruits and vegetables, alcohol, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, beans, pasta, wheat, oat bran, potatoes and soda. While this list may give the appearance of leaving you nothing to eat, you can pick and choose the ones you eat most frequently. By passing them up for several days at a time, determine if there is a decrease in the amount of gas you have. If not, go back and try others. Over a brief period of time, you will be able to pinpoint the trouble items and stay in town. Instead, fill your motor home with gas that comes out of those expensive pumps at stations along the highway.
Readers who would like to learn more can order Dr. Gott’s Health Report “Irritable Bowel Syndrome” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order to Peter H. Gott, M.D. Health Report, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form from www.AskDrGottMD.com.
