functional gastrointestinal disorders or FGIDs for short has been confusing the medical community for decades. People with this type of disorder suffer from all the pain and discomfort associated with GI and bowel disorders minus all the obvious physical signs. Patients who have some form of FGID have a GI tract that looks normal and should function normally, but fails to do so.
Recent studies, however, have allowed patients to use their symptoms to help their doctors reach a more accurate diagnosis. Despite having their functional gastrointestinal disorders diagnosed, proper treatment can still be hard to find. For those who want to learn how to manage their FGIDs, these are the possible treatment options that can work best for you:
Option 1: Nutrition Counseling
Oftentimes doctors will recommend their patients to see a licensed dietician as part of their treatment for FGIDs. The nutritionist will encourage patients to keep a very detailed food diary that will include everything they eat within the day and when the symptoms start. This elimination technique will help dieticians pinpoint foods that trigger FGID symptoms.
Once the professional nutritionist has all the necessary food information needed, they will work with you to create the best diet that includes the right foods that can help you feel better and a list of food you should avoid. For this treatment option to work, patients must be strict and follow the nutrition plan thoroughly or risk triggering the symptoms again.
Option 2: Medication
The reason why it is recommended to get diagnosed first before seeking treatment is to determine whether your type of disorder can be treated with medication. There are some forms of FGID wherein medication is necessary to reduce pain and discomfort. Doctors can prescribe antacid to reduce painful acid reflux, there are medicines that can also help with minimizing or eliminating intestinal spasms, or medication to help with regulating bowel movements.
Although medication does work to some extent it is highly discouraged to self-medicate before getting diagnosed.
Option 3: Stress Management/Therapy
In many instances, additional stress can lead to the worsening of FGID symptoms, As part of the treatment program, patients are asked to seek professional counseling to help them manage their stress and to also learn how to live a full life despite having FGID. Programs that help patients deal with stress and anxiety has been proven to reduce symptoms of the disorder.
The Lack Of A Cure-All
As of today, there is no miracle drug or therapy that will cure a patient of their FGID as studies about the disorder are still new and on-going. So far, the three options mentioned above have helped thousands of patients manage their symptoms and have allowed them to live a relatively normal life. Choosing one or all of the treatment options provided will make a big difference in your quality of life.
If you have been suffering from any type of FGID it is best to get diagnosed as soon as possible so that you can begin your treatment and learn how to manage your disorder properly.
functional gastrointestinal disorders impact one’s quality of life. Experts are still working hard to improve the diagnosis and treatment of FGIDs.
