Gastro-intestinal symptoms: IBS or not? Posted: 03-16-07 10:05am
My current symptoms are: low grade fever,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating,
abdominal pain, rapid weight gain, acid
reflux type symptoms, and hair loss. I
would consider these symptoms chronic
because I have had them for about a year
off and on. Are these symptoms indicative
of an ulcer? Are they indicative of IBS?
What route would you take in order to
diagnose my condition? I have had a
colonoscopy, stool sample, and blood
work--all with normal results. One doctor
thought that I might need an endoscopy.
What should I do?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a
functional disorder of the
gastro-intestinal tract. No organic damage
of the GIT is present during IBS. This is
why all the diagnostic tests appear
negative (normal). IBS can manifest with
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, acid reflux,
abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation
but not with fever, and hair loss. To
confirm IBS as a possible diagnosis, you
should first exclude all organic disorders
of the GIT (peptic ulcers, inflammations,
tumors, diverticulums etc.). Diagnostic
procedures that remain, in your case, are
an endoscopic gastroscopy, ultrasound scan
and CT-scan.
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