When to See a Doctor for Severe Constipation Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms?

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Post by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital
With irritable bowel syndrome experiencing any symptoms, even mild ones, can affect your quality of life. If you are living with irritable bowel syndrome, you know that there are times when you are faced with severe constipation symptoms and when should you see a doctor? Please refer to the following article.

1. When to See a Doctor for Severe Constipation Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

One way to establish a good relationship with your doctor is to ask them about the cases and symptoms they would like you to call them. Because your doctor knows your unique health history, they can set up advance guidelines to help you answer the questions "Is this normal?" and "Is this worth calling my doctor?"
Irritable bowel syndrome-related symptoms call your doctor
Although doctors don't know exactly what causes irritable bowel syndrome, many factors can contribute. These include your gastrointestinal (GI) tract which is more sensitive to the effects of bacteria, gas, and bloating. Hormonal changes, stress, and anxiety can also aggravate the gastrointestinal tract, as can eating certain foods that contribute to gastrointestinal upset. All of these factors can combine to cause irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
You may go through periods where you have no irritable bowel syndrome symptoms at all. Then you may experience symptoms of a serious nature. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your gastroenterologist or primary care provider treating your irritable bowel syndrome:
Abdominal pain: Although you may occasionally experience it Abdominal pain but severe pain is a warning sign that you should call your doctor. Severe pain is pain that you rate as 7 or higher on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst pain ever. Abdominal cramps: Severe abdominal cramps that make it difficult to complete daily tasks should not be ignored and are often a sign that your bowels are moving too quickly. Strong-smelling stools: A bowel movement that is strong, foul-smelling, or different from usual is a cause for concern. Sometimes gas can also be painful and can make it difficult for you to go to work or school. Mucus in stool: Sometimes when your digestive tract gets irritated, your colon can start to secrete mucus. Severe diarrhea and/or constipation: While diarrhea and constipation may be symptoms of your medical condition, any symptoms that are unusual for you, such as a prolonged period of Of the two symptoms, both may indicate a cause for concern. As a general rule, any time you experience symptoms that are worse than the usual symptoms or new symptoms that affect your daily life, talk to your doctor.
If you have recently started taking new medications for your irritable bowel syndrome, you may also want to call your doctor and ask if there are any new symptoms related to your medication. you don't. For example, some medications that prevent stomach spasms can cause constipation or difficulty urinating. However, you should not stop taking the medicine unless your doctor advises you to do so.

2. Symptoms that require immediate medical attention

Sometimes you may have abdominal symptoms that you think are related to your irritable bowel syndrome but are in fact symptoms of another condition. If one of these symptoms has blood in the stool, you should see your doctor right away. Blood in your stool or black, tarry stools may indicate the presence of gastrointestinal bleeding, where an area of ​​your intestines or stomach is bleeding. Blood in the stool is not a typical symptom associated with irritable bowel syndrome. While there may be mucus in the stool, there is no blood in the stool.
Other symptoms you may experience that do not normally occur with irritable bowel syndrome include:
Dizziness Discomfort in joints, skin or eyes Pain that is getting worse Significant loss of appetite Weight loss sudden symptoms that occur only at night and keep you awake at night If you have a family history of serious digestive disorders and you experience the symptoms listed above, contact your doctor. Examples of these disorders include inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or cancer.

3. Check for symptom changes

If you notice changes in your symptoms, your doctor will likely run tests to find out what may have caused these changes. First, your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms. They may ask questions like:
When did you first notice your symptoms? How long have the symptoms been going on? Have you noticed anything that makes your symptoms worse or better? Are you taking any new medications or have you recently changed your diet? Your doctor will use your answers to these questions as a starting point to determine possible causes. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may order blood tests to make sure your blood levels are in the expected range. If your doctor thinks the cause of inflammation or bleeding is somewhere in your intestinal tract, they may recommend an endoscopy to look at the inner lining of the colon for any abnormalities.
Ideally, you should seek medical attention and treatment as soon as possible when there is a change in your irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. This can help your doctor determine if the change is cause for further treatment or a sign of another condition. Remember that anything that worries you is worth calling your doctor.

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