Do You Have Endometriosis and Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome

Friday, June 19th, 2009 at 12:04 pm

Many women who have Endometriosis also have another ailment called Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS). And on the flip side, many women present with an inflamed bowel only to find that it has been caused by Endometriosis.

This is where the endometrial tissue grows out of the uterus and onto the bowel causing many bowel symptoms. It has been found that as many as 60% of women with an Endometriosis diagnosis also suffer from IBS.

Endometriosis and IBS is so common that in a study done, 25% of the patients surveyed suffered from painful bowel movements and intestinal cramping. 35% suffered from constipation and a further 60% suffered from frequent diarrhea.

Both illnesses cause symptoms that include constipation, intestinal cramping, abdominal pain, painful bowel movements, diarrhea, alternating between diarrhea and constipation, vomiting and nausea, rectal bleeding and rectal pain as well.

Some people suffering from these conditions may only have one symptom, but others tend to have more than one. The condition tends to become worse during your period or prior to having your period. It can be quite frustrating because sometimes, even after running several tests nothing is found.

For most patients, Endometriosis is not found on the bowel directly. However, 10-15% of women suffering from this condition have it on their bowel directly. If Endometriosis is found on the bowel, surgery can be the solution. Often a laparoscopy will be done to take care of the Endometriosis and inflammatory bowel syndrome where the outer layer of the bowel is peeled off.

In some more severe cases the layer that is below the top layer may have to be cut to ensure that the condition is treated effectively. It is then sewn over to maintain the integrity of your bowel wall reducing the symptoms of both Endometriosis and IBS.

In severe cases more significant surgery may be required. This could mean that you have a large part of your bowel affected with implants that are multi focal. If so, then a bowel resection may be the solution to treat the problem completely.

In such severe cases a large part of the bowel may have to be removed completely and the ends that are unaffected are attached. This may seem complicated but it is done laparoscopically by a colorectal surgeon or even a general surgeon.

It is important to note that the endometrial tissue does not have to be growing directly on the bowel for you to suffer from the effects of Endometriosis and Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome. Inflammatory mediators will affect the bowel and cause the symptoms listed above.

Prostaglandins released by Endometriosis implants are inflammatory mediators that will cause the bowel to contract. This is the cause of intestinal cramping and diarrhea that is seen often in those suffering from Endometriosis and IBS. Deep implants in structures that are adjacent to the bowel such as the rectovaginal septum and the uterosacral ligaments can also cause these symptoms.

How Is It Diagnosed?
If you suspect that you have Endometriosis and Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome, seek advise from your Doctor immediately. He or She can do a range of tests to diagnose both Endometriosis and separately IBS.

There is a lot that you can do to manage both of these illnesses and an earlier diagnosis can help you hugely with the time it takes to start healing. A good place to start would be to look at your diet. The Endometriosis Diet is a great place to look at as the diet is designed to also minimize the most common symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome.

If you want to quit wasting time with Endometriosis Treatments that don’t work and start healing then visit our site HealMe Endometriosis Program. Claim your FREE report on how to get rid of Endometriosis Symptoms right now. http://www.endometriosistreatmentsite.com

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