Do you need to take medication for a long time for irritable bowel syndrome?

Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

Updated on September 25, 2024

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Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) do not have organic diseases in their intestines. The main issue is that the threshold of their intestinal tract is relatively low, making it easy for accumulations to occur, which subsequently leads to IBS. Patients are often tense and anxious. Therefore, patients with this condition often need to take medication for a long time to achieve relatively effective symptom control. However, patients with IBS should not be overly nervous or anxious, as IBS does not lead to malignant intestinal changes or other organic intestinal diseases.

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Written by Si Li Li

Gastroenterology

1min 7sec

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How to regulate irritable bowel syndrome

The main symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) manifest as abdominal pain, changes in stool consistency, including diarrhea or constipation, and sometimes the presence of white mucus in the stool. Colonoscopy shows no organic changes in the intestinal mucosa. The treatment of IBS mainly involves oral probiotics to adjust the gut flora. Additionally, treatment can be conducted through traditional Chinese medicine based on syndrome differentiation, including oral administration of herbal medicine. External traditional Chinese treatments such as acupuncture, moxibustion, acupoint application, hot therapy, and thunder-fire moxibustion can also be effective in treating IBS. In terms of diet, it is important to consume light, easily digestible foods primarily, avoiding spicy, stimulating, fried, grilled, cold, and sweet foods. Preference should be given to foods that are easy to digest, such as porridge, soup, and noodles.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

39sec

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Does irritable bowel syndrome cause flat stools?

Generally speaking, irritable bowel syndrome does not cause flat stools. If a patient experiences flat stools, it is very likely due to a tumor or polyps in the intestine compressing the stool, leading to deformation and flatness of the stool. Once a patient experiences flat stools, it is advised to visit the gastroenterology department of a hospital as soon as possible to undergo a colonoscopy to determine the cause of the flat stools. If it is found to be caused by a tumor or polyps in the intestine, then a biopsy of the pathological tissue should be done to promptly confirm the diagnosis. Of course, it could also be caused by conditions such as anal stenosis.

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Written by Si Li Li

Gastroenterology

57sec

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Can an ultrasound detect irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders. Its main symptoms are abdominal pain and changes in the nature of stool, with the abdominal pain being related to defecation, meaning that the pain is followed by a bowel movement. Since it is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, there are no organic changes, meaning there are no physical changes in any part of the body. It is solely a functional change, and therefore cannot be detected through an ultrasound. In fact, no tests can detect the functional nature of this disorder. In terms of examining the intestinal mucosa, ultrasound cannot visualize it either. The only way to clearly see the intestinal mucosa is through a colonoscopy, so ultrasound cannot detect irritable bowel syndrome.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

44sec

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Does irritable bowel syndrome cause sensitivity to cold?

Irritable bowel syndrome may cause symptoms of feeling cold. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome are greatly influenced by emotions. If a patient is overly tense or anxious, it may lead to a sensation of feeling cold, although there may be no actual drop in body temperature or external temperature. Sometimes, patients with irritable bowel syndrome may need to use anti-anxiety medications for treatment, such as fluoxetine, buspirone, etc. It is also crucial to pay close attention to dietary adjustments, avoiding spicy, irritating, and cold foods, ensuring regular meals, and consuming easily digestible foods. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Si Li Li

Gastroenterology

53sec

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What to do about vomiting with irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common functional gastrointestinal disease, primarily characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits and stool characteristics, with alternating constipation and diarrhea. Generally, abdominal pain eases after defecation. This disease usually does not involve vomiting. If vomiting occurs, it may indicate a possible gastrointestinal dysfunction, which is similar to irritable bowel syndrome as both are functional gastrointestinal disorders without organic lesions, but they manifest as symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract and digestive system. In the presence of such symptoms, it is recommended to use medication that enhances gastric motility to stop vomiting, and symptomatic treatment can be very effective.