What tests diagnose stomach vs. gallbladder problems? Posted: 03-26-07 08:45am
I have a discomfort in my left up under my
rib cage. Sometimes it feels like a lump
when I lay on that side. I have had this
since I was in my early twenties, but
recently it has been more pronounced and
very irritating. I have been told that I
have an irritable colon. I have a problem
with constipation and have been told to
take metamucil every morning. This seems
to make matters worse. Somestimes when I
eat, I get stomach cramps and diarrhea. I
have had lots of different tests over the
years and none of them seem to show
anything wrong. I am at my wits end with
this. I need to know what to do and where
to go from here. The last time I went to
the Dr. I was told that maybe my Gall
Bladder wasn't working correctly. Should
I go back and have him check it?
Help!
The best diagnostic procedure for
examining the stomach is a gastroscopy.
The gallbladder can be examined via an
ultrasound scan and HIDA-scan. Ultrasound
scan detect gallstones and the HIDA is
used to evaluate the gallbladder’s
function. In addition, a microbiological
examination of the stool is necessary to
exclude gastrointestinal infection.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a
functional disorder that can be diagnosed
when all the other possible reasons
(infections, tumors, peptic ulcer, hiatus
hernia…) for such symptoms have been
excluded.
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