What Causes Stomach Pain And Bowel Urge After A Meal?

Hello Dear. You need a detailed work up. You are probably having irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a mix of belly discomfort or pain and trouble with bowel habits: either going more or less often than normal (diarrhea or constipation) or having a different kind of stool (thin, hard, or soft and liquid). It’s not life-threatening, and it doesn t make you more likely to get other colon conditions, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn s disease, or colon cancer. But IBS can be a long-lasting problem that changes how you live your life. People with IBS may miss work or school more often, and they may feel less able to take part in daily activities. Some people may need to change their work setting: shifting to working at home, changing hours, or even not working at all. People with IBS have symptoms that can include: 1. Diarrhea (often described as violent episodes of diarrhea) 2. Constipation 3. Constipation alternating with diarrhea 4. Belly pains or cramps, usually in the lower half of the belly, that get worse after meals and feel better after a bowel movement 5. A lot of gas or bloating 6. Harder or looser stools than normal (pellets or flat ribbon stools) 7. A belly that sticks out Stress can make symptoms worse. Treatment: Nearly all people with IBS can get help, but no single treatment works for everyone. You and your doctor will need to work together to find the right treatment plan to manage your symptoms. Many things can trigger IBS symptoms, including certain foods, medicines, the presence of gas or stool, and emotional stress. You’ll need to learn what your triggers are. You may need to make some lifestyle changes and take medication. Usually, with a few basic changes in diet and activities, IBS will improve over time. Here are some tips to help reduce symptoms: 1. Avoid caffeine (in coffee, teas, and sodas). 2. Add more fiber to your diet with foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. 3. Drink at least three to four glasses of water per day. 4. Don t smoke. 5. Learn to relax, either by getting more exercise or by reducing stress in your life. 6. Limit how much milk or cheese you eat. 7. Eat smaller meals more often instead of big meals. 8. Keep a record of the foods you eat so you can figure out which foods bring on bouts of IBS. Common food triggers are red peppers, green onions, red wine, wheat, and cow s milk. If you re concerned about getting enough calcium, you can try to get it from other foods, like broccoli, spinach, turnip greens, tofu, yogurt, sardines, salmon with bones, calcium-fortified orange juice and breads, or calcium supplements. The following types of drugs are used to treat IBS: 1. Antispasmodics can control colon muscle spasms, but experts are unsure that these drugs help. They also have side effects, such as making you drowsy and constipated, that make them a bad choice for some people. 2. Antidiarrheal drugs, such as Imodium, may help with diarrhea. 3. Laxatives can give short-term relief from constipation. 4. Bulking agents, such as psyllium, wheat bran, and corn fiber, help slow the movement of food through the digestive system and may also help relieve symptoms. 5. Antidepressants may also help relieve symptoms in some people. 6. Linaclotide (Linzess) is a capsule you take once daily on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before your first meal of the day. It helps to relieve constipation by helping bowel movements happen more often. It’s not for anyone 17 years old or younger. The drug s most common side effect is diarrhea. 7. Lubiprostone (Amitiza) can treat IBS with constipation in women when other treatments have not helped. Studies haven’t fully shown that it works well in men. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and belly pain. More serious side effects may include, fainting, swelling of the arms and legs, breathing problems, and heart palpitations. Make sure to follow your doctor s instructions when taking IBS medications, including laxatives, which can be habit forming if you don’t use them carefully. Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you. All the best With warm regards Dr Sanjay Kini