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Can Anxiety Cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Question: I am having a recurring issue with reflux/light regurgitation while sleeping at night. Most nights I have to take 150 mg of OTC Zantac before bed to calm the heartburn symptoms. Some nights I aspirate the reflux and wake up choking. I am up for approximately two hours to clear the gas pressure (usually, with simethicone or XXXXXXX Seltzer). However, 3 - 4 times per year, I have an extreme episode in which my symptoms also include substantive bloating, gas pain (mostly upper GI), hot flash (no fever), redness in my face, chills, sweats, and substantive shivering (wakes my wife while she is sleeping). Last night's extreme episode lasted approximately 5 hours. Last night's meal was a supreme pizza and light night was the second time I was able to correlate an extreme episode with supreme pizza. Within the last 5 years, I have had an upper and lower GI scope. There were no issues with the espohagus in the upper GI scope. There were no issues with the lower GI scope, except for a small polyp that was excised during the procedure. About two years ago some abdominal tenderness was, after an MRI, diagnosed to be diverticulitis. With some antibiotics, the diverticulitis cleared in about a week and has not recurred since. What might these symptoms indicate as the issue?
Brief Answer:
as explained in details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history about a male of 52 carefully and understood the concerns.
In view of the normal upper GI Endoscopy and all the details you have provided, all the symptoms make me think of the following possible diagnosis:
Intolerance to certain foods and beverages.
GERD and
May be anxiety disorder leading to IBS, irritable bowel syndrome.
I would advise you the following in such a situation:
- First of all to identify all the foods, additives, beverages that instigate or enhance any of the symptoms you have mentioned above; to list them and to stop them altogether at any cost.
- Motility regulator like Domperidone or Metoclopramide at hourly interval under the guidance and valid prescription of your Doctor with discussion. This can help you a lot to avoid trouble at nights.
- Continue Zantac twice a day at 12 hourly interval.
- Antacid liquid/gel 3 teaspoonful when you are on empty stomach.
- Soft bland diet, small frequent meals.
- No stress and/or anxiety is very important part of management, discuss with your Doctor and get medication if required.
- No late nights.
- Early dinner.
- No alcohol, no tobacco if at all you have it.
- Tests of stool and urine
- Tests of blood: CBC, thyroid, Sugar and as needed as per clinical evaluation.
- Any factor that you have noticed to instigate or enhance the problems have to be tackled with sternly.
This way you can get a permanent relief.
I hope this answer helps you, try all these and give me the feedback.
as explained in details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history about a male of 52 carefully and understood the concerns.
In view of the normal upper GI Endoscopy and all the details you have provided, all the symptoms make me think of the following possible diagnosis:
Intolerance to certain foods and beverages.
GERD and
May be anxiety disorder leading to IBS, irritable bowel syndrome.
I would advise you the following in such a situation:
- First of all to identify all the foods, additives, beverages that instigate or enhance any of the symptoms you have mentioned above; to list them and to stop them altogether at any cost.
- Motility regulator like Domperidone or Metoclopramide at hourly interval under the guidance and valid prescription of your Doctor with discussion. This can help you a lot to avoid trouble at nights.
- Continue Zantac twice a day at 12 hourly interval.
- Antacid liquid/gel 3 teaspoonful when you are on empty stomach.
- Soft bland diet, small frequent meals.
- No stress and/or anxiety is very important part of management, discuss with your Doctor and get medication if required.
- No late nights.
- Early dinner.
- No alcohol, no tobacco if at all you have it.
- Tests of stool and urine
- Tests of blood: CBC, thyroid, Sugar and as needed as per clinical evaluation.
- Any factor that you have noticed to instigate or enhance the problems have to be tackled with sternly.
This way you can get a permanent relief.
I hope this answer helps you, try all these and give me the feedback.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your diagnosis. It is similar to my own self-diagnosis. My next question is whether there are tests that can be administered for diagnosing food reactions? As processed foods are now very complex, it is difficult to isolate reactions to a particular additive or preservative.
Perhaps avoiding processed food is a good approach?
Thank you
Perhaps avoiding processed food is a good approach?
Thank you
Brief Answer:
As detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.
There are no certain investigations for food reactions.
It is the keen observation by you, your family and friends that gives the best chances of an accurate diagnosis.
Since all the new products and processing are complex, it is again the keen observation that helps.
Yes, avoid the processed food is the better answer.
Prevention is better than cure.
As detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.
There are no certain investigations for food reactions.
It is the keen observation by you, your family and friends that gives the best chances of an accurate diagnosis.
Since all the new products and processing are complex, it is again the keen observation that helps.
Yes, avoid the processed food is the better answer.
Prevention is better than cure.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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