![]() ![]() How long/how often will I have to take this medication?.How will this medication help with my symptoms?.Some things you might want to ask include: Bring a pen and notepad with you (or use an app on your phone) to write down their advice. When talking to your doctor about treatment options, make sure you're prepared to ask the right questions, and take notes. For example, while some antidepressants reduce IBS pain by inhibiting neurons that control the intestines, they can also cause drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness, and dry mouth. However, like any medication, there can be unwanted side effects. These medications can help relieve IBS symptoms. IBS specific medications: such as Eluxadoline (Viberzi) and Alosetron (Lotronex).SSRI/Tricyclic antidepressants: antidepressants that can help with IBS and depression.Anticholinergic medications: to prevent muscle spasms.Many doctors may initially suggest diet changes, such as a low FODMAP diet, or drugs to manage your IBS. While some doctors are up-to-date with research on natural IBS treatments, such as hypnotherapy, some are not. Once you have been diagnosed with IBS, your doctor will begin to discuss IBS-specific treatment options with you. A 2014 World Journal of Gastroenterology article suggested that “many patients with IBS have been bounced around the medical field for many years with varying diagnoses because of the lack of interest or profound frustration by the physician in treating IBS.” How can I find the right treatment for my IBS? If you’re struggling to get a straight answer about your condition, you’re not alone. Your doctor may also indicate your IBS subtype (e.g., IBD-D, IBS-C, IBS-M). If your symptoms match up with the IBS criteria, you will receive an IBS diagnosis. Associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool. ![]() Associated with a change in frequency of stool.The Rome IV criteria states that for an IBS diagnosis, a person needs to experience recurrent abdominal pain, on average, at least one day per week for the last three months, associated with two or more of the following criteria: Instead, your doctor is likely to look at your medical history, complete a physical exam, and run some tests to ensure you don't have another condition, such as celiac disease.Īfter ruling out other conditions, your doctor will check and see if your symptoms align with the Rome criteria's definition of IBS. There's no specific test to diagnose IBS outright. IBS is a functional illness, meaning it affects the function of the bowels without damaging the organs themselves. How do I get an IBS diagnosis from my doctor? Notepad and pen (or take notes on your phone).Your symptom diary, if you are keeping one.A list of questions or topics you wish to discuss.When you have a medical appointment, come prepared. You deserve to have your symptoms taken seriously. While it’s likely that your doctor will be knowledgeable about IBS, it's always a good idea to come prepared and remember to advocate for yourself. In a similar survey, 32% agreed with the statement "healthcare professionals do not take IBS seriously," and 25% agreed that "my healthcare professional should invest more time and energy into educating me about my IBS." A 2018 international survey involving 513 IBS-D patients showed that 27% of people felt that "IBS is a condition that healthcare professionals don't understand." Talking to your doctor about IBS means that you can discover treatments, learn about your condition, and get back in control of your gut symptoms.īefore you head off to your appointment, you may want to keep a few things in mind. How should I talk to my doctor about IBS?įirstly, congratulations on taking an essential step in managing your gut health. Read on to discover some helpful tips to take with you to your next doctor's appointment. Your doctor can help you find the right hypnotherapy provider or suggest at-home hypnotherapy programs. If you're interested in natural or complementary IBS treatments, like gut-directed hypnotherapy, remember to speak up and make your preferences known. Learn how to have a healthy conversation with your doctor. Even if they've heard it all before, it might be the first time you've spoken to a healthcare professional about your symptoms-or the first time you’ve thought about what kinds of treatments you want to try. Want to talk to your doctor about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? It's not always easy to discuss sensitive subjects. ![]()
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