Judy Smith is 24 years old and has a job as a secretary at a large law firm. For a few months now she has been suffering from abdominal discomfort and has diarrhoea at irregular intervals. She has no previous medical history except a hypersensitivity to pollen.
"I always enjoy going to my work. My boss has a busy law practice which makes my work interesting but also stressful sometimes, when deadlines for trials must be kept. But one thing has been bothering me for the last few months. Sometimes I can be quite suddenly taken by surprise with a bout of diarrhoea and terrible cramps in my abdomen. I feel distended, bloated and very uncomfortable. I never know when I am going to have to make a dash to the toilet!
During those episodes I don’t feel like eating at all, which is rather unusual for me. However my weight has remained stable.
"I am always nervous that someone will hear my tummy rumbling when I am taking notes at a meeting, not to mention the urgent need to break wind! This makes me feel very unsure of myself. There are even days I stay home when my tummy is particularly upset.
These periods of diarrhoea can occur any time, so you’re always afraid it will return.
"Since I went to my doctor, things are much better. He asked me a lot about my ‘stool’ history and other illnesses and did a thorough physical examination. He assured me he could not find any abnormalities and diagnosed me as an IBS patient. He told me it was a very common disorder where the bowels are oversensitive to various factors such as: dietary excess, large meals, fats, changes in activities and stress. Now I try to eat more regularly and less fat. I also use an antispasmodic and a lot of the symptoms like the diarrhoea and bloated feeling have disappeared. I really feel free again to do what I want and not being governed by my IBS."
Judy Smith is 24 years old and has a job as a secretary at a large law firm. For a few months now she has been suffering from abdominal discomfort and has diarrhoea at irregular intervals. She has no previous medical history except a hypersensitivity to pollen.
