(Me and my tea, because that was the only beverage I could stomach)
Not everything is hunky dory when you go abroad even though you expect it to be. I recently went on a business trip to beautiful Moscow with my mum and had a blast, we really did but all the while I was suffering from an IBS crisis which had started from Cyprus the day before we flew to Moscow.
Interestingly enough my cousin who suffers from IBS was over from London recently. She told me how painstakingly careful she is, following the fodmap food list and how many things she has had to discard from her diet to avoid the gas bloat and that disfiguring, swelly belly. I understood where she was coming from and told her it had been a while for me to suffer so badly. Little did I know it was about to hit me hard a couple of days later.
I always have a cocktail of pills on standby especially Buscopan, which I tend to take on the odd occasion as they do help the pain subside, bloating and those horrid spasms. This time though, it was an attack.
The IBS crisis I faced for five days in Moscow which needed a doctor, targeted medication and a very strict diet was tackled be me self- controlling my food intake, enduring unbearable pain and discomfort let alone the bloating.
We all know that part of a business trip/ holiday is all about the food, which for me was no zone area. I had ONE measly ice cream and a broccoli soup (I know that’s a BIG no no!!! I didn’t have a choice, I was so hungry) major mistake!!! Those two food items exacerbated the crisis and I knew I needed a doctor.
Upon my return, I quickly got in touch with Dr. Pavlos Antoniou a gastroenterologist who put me on the path to recovery. A two week cocktail of pills and a tailor made diet immediately kicked in easing the uncomfortable bloating, spasms and ill feeling.
Thank you so much Dr. you really are a life saver!
Part of my stress was needing to go to the toilet at any given moment and this made me panic and stress even more! YES, IBS is all to do with stress!
So, if you are suffering, you must visit a specialist- a gastroenterologist. A prescription and the right diet will help 100%. Do not ignore the pain and all the symptoms.
What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition that you’ll need to manage long term.
Only a small number of people with IBS have severe signs and symptoms. Some people can control their symptoms by managing diet, lifestyle and stress. More-severe symptoms can be treated with medication and counseling.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of IBS vary. The most common include:
- Abdominal pain, cramping or bloating that is typically relieved or partially relieved by passing a bowel movement
- Excess gas
- Diarrhea or constipation — sometimes alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation
- Mucus in the stool
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have a persistent change in bowel habits or other signs or symptoms of IBS. They may indicate a more serious condition, such as colon cancer. More-serious signs and symptoms include:
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea at night
- Rectal bleeding
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Unexplained vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing
- Persistent pain that isn’t relieved by passing gas or a bowel movement
Thanks again Doctor Dr. Pavlos Antoniou
