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DOCTOR’S PULSE: Colon Health
The doctor is in with answers on how fiber affects IBS, whether probiotics are right for you, and more.
Should I worry about blood in my stool?
Be concerned enough to find out the source of the blood. Most often it is caused by a totally benign condition (not life- threatening), like a hemorrhoid or an anal fissure. You can often treat these things with medicine or diet. However, cancers of the colon and rectum can bleed, and this may be the only sign that something is wrong. But don’t be scared, take control! Get an exam if you see blood, and rest easily once you have an answer.
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Do probiotic products help my digestive health?
Probiotics are living organisms, like yeast or certain bacte- ria, which are similar to those found in the normal healthy human gut. The balance of these organisms in your digestive system is critical to good health. A healthy diet usually keeps everything in balance so you don’t necessarily need probiot- ics. However, the delicate balance can be thrown off by using antibiotics, or getting a parasite, other illness or infection. In these cases, you might benefit from taking a probiotic; but the evidence to support this is limited.
I have painful gas when I use probiotics. Why?
One of the side effects of using probiotics is increased gas. Adding more bacteria or yeast to an already healthy digestive system can actually throw off the delicate balance and cause bloating, cramping and gas. This reminds us of the old adage “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” If you eat a diet high in fiber and water, and don’t have digestive problems, then your gut may be doing a great balancing act all on its own.
14 HEALTHYADVICE.COM
Will fiber help my IBS?
Yes, in fact fiber therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The type of fiber that will help is often related to your symptoms. For example, if your main IBS symptom is infrequent hard stools (constipation), you will benefit most from a powdered insoluble fiber supplement, along with a diet high in fiber and water. If you tend to have loose stools (diarrhea) with your IBS, you may actually fare better with a solid fiber supplement—one that comes in pill form, for example. The bottom line is if you give your colon something bulky and soft to move through it, your colon will spasm less, and you may have less pain.
JANICE RAFFERTY, M.D., F.A.S.C.R.S., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Rafferty is the Chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery, University of Cincinnati and Profes- sor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
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