Functional Bowel Disorders

Functional bowel disorders are very common in individuals, but many people do not seek advice because they do not know where to go for help. Functional Bowel disorders affect millions of people. At our Functional Bowel Disorder unit, our team of GI surgeons and paramedical staff is here to help you when your symptoms keep you away from performing daily activities.

What are Functional Bowel Disorders (FBD)?

Functional Bowel Disorders (or FBD) is a term that incorporates the myriad of problems with how your stomach and bowels operate or work. Generally, Irritable Bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia are functional ailments.
If all your organs are functioning normally, but still some signs persist, then it shows something is wrong. It may be a challenge for the doctor to diagnose functional bowel disorder since the symptoms are naturally occurring. Upper gastrointestinal symptoms such as feeling bloated, stomach pain, and nausea. Whereas, Lower GI symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain.
The two common types of FBD are Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Functional Dyspepsia (FD).
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term that is used to specify the complications that consist of the chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.
Functional Dyspepsia (FD) is a condition that consists of pain above your bloating, belly button, and nausea. This disorder has also been referred to as dyspepsia and nervous stomach.
There are many factors that may upset the GI tract and its motility, including:

• Ingesting a diet low in fiber.
• Not enough exercise.
• Traveling or other variations in routine.
• Eating immense amounts of dairy products.
• Stress.
• Curbing the urge to have a bowel movement.
• Curbing the urge to have bowel movements owing to pain from hemorrhoids.
• Overusing laxatives (stool softeners) that, over time, decrease the bowel muscles.
• Taking antacid medicines comprising calcium or aluminum.
• Taking certain prescriptions
• Pregnancy

Constipation
Constipation means that you find it tough to pass stools or they are infrequent (less than three times a week). Constipation is usually caused by less "roughage" or fiber in the diet or disturbances of the regular diet.
 Constipation causes a person to strain during a bowel movement, and it may also result in small, hard stools, which may result in hemorrhoids.

What are the Diagnostic Procedures for Functional Bowel Disorder?

The doctor may order you to go for Imaging procedures such as,

• X-ray
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

What are the Treatment Procedures for Functional Bowel Disorders?
Depending on the particular symptoms of functional bowel disorders, the doctor will determine a specific plan. Different medicines will be used for different symptoms, such as abnormal motility or hypersensitivity.
Your doctor may suggest antispasmodics, which can aid in decreasing spasms in the GI tract. These medicines should be taken prior to an event that might be expected to trigger spasms.
Also, the doctor may suggest pro-motility agents which can accelerate the motility of the GI tract, which is especially useful for treating chronic constipation.
The doctor may also recommend you antidiarrheals or laxatives that can help in reducing milder symptoms.
Also, antidepressants are often prescribed, but not for depression. They help in decreasing chronic GI pain.
Also, functional bowel disorders are the result of psychological problems, and they can be treated with relaxation therapy, hypnosis, or cognitive behavioral therapy.
If you are suffering from Irritable bowel syndrome, then sometimes surgery is also used.