Irritable bowel: TV doctor explains what you can do with a diagnosis
Created: 07/03/2022, 09:00
By: Judith Brown
Every second person with gastrointestinal complaints has irritable bowel syndrome.
The popular TV doctor Dr.
Johannes Wimmer explains what can be done.
Munich – "Irritable bowel syndrome is such a diffuse diagnosis that even an experienced doctor can only help with 'trial and error'," says Dr.
Johannes Wimmer (39).
The doctor and well-known TV doctor therefore wants to shed light on his YouTube channel in cooperation with the "NDR".
After all, enough people have to deal with digestive problems, bloating, diarrhea and cramps.
Ten to 20 out of 100 people probably suffer from IBS, with women being affected twice as often as men.
The doctor not only explains the symptoms and tests, but also has a few tips up his sleeve that can be used to counteract the intestinal disorder.
Irritable bowel: TV doctor explains how to recognize disease
Typical symptoms of an irritable bowel include abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation.
However, a diagnosis is often premature.
(Iconic image) © DC_2/IMAGO
The so-called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder between the autonomic nervous system and the intestinal muscles.
Although the disease is not dangerous, due to its typical symptoms such as abdominal pain, flatulence and diarrhea or constipation, it can be quite distressing.
According to experts, the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome is often made prematurely.
Wimmer sees it similarly and therefore explains: "It is important that many tests and examinations are carried out first in order to rule out other possible causes."
Because the symptoms could also be caused, for example, by a food allergy, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or tumors in the intestine or on the ovaries.
According to Wimmer, the following tests should be carried out by the doctor in order to be able to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome:
Gastroscopy and colonoscopy
Ultrasound of the abdomen
blood test
stool examination
Breath test to detect or rule out possible intolerance to certain types of sugar
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Irritable bowel: Not only physical symptoms, but also psychologically stressful
According to Wimmer, irritable bowel syndrome is a diffuse diagnosis in which you have to try different treatment options to find out what really helps.
The symptoms are also varied and range from physical complaints to psychological stress.
Abdominal pain: If someone suffers from abdominal pain often and independent of meals, this could be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome.
“The mucous membrane of irritable bowel patients is overly sensitive to the messenger substances histamine and serotonin.
It therefore constantly sends nerve stimuli to the brain so that the inflammatory process is maintained - through this feedback," says the TV doctor.
Diarrhea or constipation: According to Wimmer, both can be symptoms that occur with irritable bowel syndrome.
There are probably also cases of irritable bowel syndrome in which the patients alternate between diarrhea and constipation.
Flatulence: Sometimes it can be so bad that not only does the intestine rumble constantly, but you can also see the flatulence on the stomach.
After just a few bites of a pizza, for example, the stomach puffs up like a balloon that is about to burst and accordingly bulges outwards in a bloated stomach.
Bloating: IBS patients often suffer from a severe feeling of fullness.
You feel full to the brim even though you haven't eaten much.
Mental symptoms: Well-being is directly related to intestinal health, according to Wimmer.
"The abdominal brain is a network of millions of nerve cells that controls digestion." The abdominal brain and the part of the brain that is responsible for feelings constantly exchange information with each other.
Your own well-being has a great influence on the digestive system.
Talking about your bowel movements still feels embarrassing for many people.
But the TV doctor assures that it is part of everyday life for doctors to talk about it or take a stool sample.
It's nothing more than coming to them with a cough or a pain in the shoulder, "they know that," says Wimmer.
Incidentally, according to experts, there is a need for action if the complaints last more than three months within a year.
"If the bowel movement changes and there is constant pinching and twitching in the stomach, then it's time to see your trusted internist," recommends the 39-year-old.
Another important indication of IBS is that you are symptom-free at night.
In addition, patients do not lose weight due to IBS.
Tips for irritable bowel syndrome:
If the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome is made, the doctor usually recommends treatment or therapy, for example in the form of medication.
For Wimmer, however, two aspects are crucial for healing an irritable bowel: a change in diet and reducing stress.
He also thinks the following tips are useful:
Elimination diet (FODMAP): With this diet you do without nutrients, which is why it should only be carried out in consultation with the doctor or a nutritionist so that no deficiency occurs.
Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols are avoided for six to eight weeks.
These are fast-fermenting carbohydrates found in sweets, bread, dairy products, stone fruit, and cabbage.
Polyols are sugar alcohols found primarily in processed foods.
After the diet, they are reintroduced into the diet individually and one after the other.
With the help of a food diary, the patient analyzes which foods he tolerates well.
No raw food in the evening: "Salad and raw vegetables can easily overwhelm the intestines," says the doctor.
He therefore recommends eating during the day and in small quantities.
Chew well and a lot: It helps digestion and relieves the intestines.
Exercise: Here the doctor recommends, for example, a walk around the block, yoga or walking.
Sport gets the intestine going and stimulates its activity.
Reduce stress: For example, meditation, relaxation exercises or yoga could help people with irritable bowel syndrome.
Drink a lot: Two to three liters of still water a day are good for your health and also for the intestines.
Patients should avoid caffeine at least for a while.
"Irritable bowel syndrome is not easy, it can be very difficult and cannot be cured," concludes the TV doctor.
Medically, however, an irritable bowel is not alarming, but harmless.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
