Gastrointestinal Disorders Online Doctors Consultation — page 10

It sounds like you're experiencing significant distress due to chronic hyperacidity, nausea, and cognitive symptoms like memory loss and difficulty concentrating. Since your medical reports are normal and your doctor has suggested a psychosomatic disorder, it’s possible that stress, anxiety, or an underlying psychiatric condition like depression, anxiety disorder, or somatic symptom disorder could be contributing to your symptoms. Understanding IBS and Psychosomatic Factors: Gut-Brain Connection – The gut and brain are closely linked. Stress and anxiety can alter gut function, leading to symptoms like acidity, nausea, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Psychiatric Causes – Conditions like Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Depression often present with physical symptoms, including gastrointestinal issues. Cognitive Symptoms – Memory issues and difficulty concentrating can also stem from prolonged stress, anxiety, or even vitamin deficiencies. Approach to Treatment: Medical Evaluation: If not done already, consider tests for H. pylori infection, GERD, food intolerances, and gut dysbiosis. Psychiatric Assessment: A psychiatrist can help identify if anxiety or depression is exacerbating your symptoms. Medications like SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants can help in IBS-related symptoms. Lifestyle Changes: Stress management, gut-friendly diet (avoiding spicy, acidic foods), and sleep hygiene can help. Ayurvedic Treatment: Complementary approaches like Ayurveda may provide symptom relief, but should be integrated with medical advice. Since your distress is severe, with thoughts of self-harm, it’s crucial to seek immediate support—reach out to a psychiatrist, therapist, or crisis helpline. You're not alone, and with the right treatment, your symptoms can improve. Dr Aman Shaba Consultant Psychiatrist 7992489808

I understand how challenging it must be to manage both gastritis and IBS at the same time. Here focusing on diet and lifestyle changes: For Gastritis (Burning Sensation in Abdomen & Back)** 1. **Dietary Recommendations**: - Eat small, frequent meals- This can help reduce the load on your stomach and prevent acid buildup. - avoid irritating foods These can include: - Spicy foods, citrus fruits (oranges, lemons), and tomatoes. - Caffeinated beverages (coffee, cola), alcohol, and carbonated drinks. - Fried, greasy foods and high-fat meals. - Chocolate and mint, which can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and lead to reflux. - **Opt for bland foods** like: - **Bananas**, which are gentle on the stomach. - **Rice, oatmeal**, and **toast** (BRAT diet) for a mild and soothing effect. - **Boiled or steamed vegetables**, like carrots and zucchini. - **Lean proteins**, like chicken or turkey, preferably grilled or boiled. - **Avoid large meals**: Eating smaller meals can help reduce stomach acid production. 2. **Medications**: - **Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)**: If you're not already on a PPI like omeprazole, lansoprazole, or pantoprazole, these can reduce stomach acid and allow healing of the stomach lining. - **Antacids or H2 blockers**: These help neutralize stomach acid or reduce its production (e.g., ranitidine, famotidine). - **Sucralfate**: A medication that can help protect the stomach lining. - **Avoid NSAIDs**: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) can aggravate gastritis. 3. **Lifestyle Changes**: - **Avoid smoking** and **limit alcohol**, as both can irritate the stomach lining. - **Stay upright after eating**: Lying down too soon after meals can increase acid reflux and irritate the stomach. - **Manage stress**: Stress can exacerbate gastritis symptoms. Meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and regular physical activity can help lower stress levels. For IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)** 1. **Dietary Modifications**: - **Low-FODMAP Diet**: This is often recommended for people with IBS. FODMAPs are fermentable carbohydrates that can cause bloating and discomfort in the gut. By reducing them, many people with IBS find symptom relief. Examples include: - **Avoiding high-FODMAP foods** like garlic, onions, beans, lentils, apples, and milk. - **Favoring low-FODMAP foods** like rice, potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and strawberries. - **Fiber**: - **For IBS-D (diarrhea-prone)**: Low-fiber foods may help control diarrhea. Avoid insoluble fiber like wheat bran, and focus more on soluble fiber (found in oats, carrots, and bananas). - **For IBS-C (constipation-prone)**: Increase fiber intake gradually to avoid bloating. Soluble fiber (from foods like oats, chia seeds, and carrots) can be particularly beneficial. 2. **Probiotics**: Some people with IBS find relief with probiotics, as they can help balance gut bacteria. Consider trying probiotics like **Lactobacillus** or **Bifidobacterium**, but it may take time (a few weeks) to notice results. 3. **Hydration**: - **Drink plenty of water** throughout the day, especially if you're increasing fiber intake. - Avoid sugary drinks or caffeine, as they can worsen IBS symptoms. 4. **Medications**: - **For IBS-D**: Anti-diarrheal medications like **loperamide (Imodium)** or bile acid sequestrants may help. - **For IBS-C**: Laxatives or medications like **linaclotide (Linzess)** or **lubiprostone (Amitiza)** can help promote bowel movements. - **Antispasmodics**: Drugs like **hyoscine butylbromide** (Buscopan) or **mebeverine** can help relieve cramping and spasms in the gut. - **Peppermint oil capsules**: Peppermint oil has antispasmodic properties and can be soothing for IBS symptoms. 5. **Stress Management**: Since IBS can be triggered or worsened by stress, try: - **Yoga or Pilates**: Both of these exercises are gentle and can help alleviate stress while improving digestion. - **Breathing exercises**: Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided meditation can help manage symptoms. - **Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)**: Some people find CBT helpful in reducing IBS symptoms, particularly if stress or anxiety is a major trigger. --- ### **Combination Approach (Managing Both Conditions Together)** Since gastritis and IBS can have overlapping symptoms, it’s important to balance treatment for both. Here’s how you can manage them together: 1. **Avoid Trigger Foods**: Many of the foods that irritate gastritis (e.g., spicy, acidic foods) can also aggravate IBS. Maintaining a **low-FODMAP** and **bland** diet can help address both conditions. 2. **Monitor Symptoms**: Keep a food and symptom diary to track what foods or activities trigger your symptoms for both IBS and gastritis. 3. **Time Medications**: Your doctor may suggest taking antacids, PPIs, or sucralfate for gastritis and anti-diarrheal or antispasmodic medications for IBS at different times of the day to minimize interactions. 4. **Regular Check-ups**: Since you’ve been on treatment for a while without relief, it might be worth revisiting your doctor. Sometimes adjusting medications, trying a different approach, or ruling out other causes can provide relief. Would you like more specific help with the low-FODMAP diet, or maybe recommendations for specific medications? Let me know!