Underdiagnosed IBS

It’s More Than Just Something You Ate?

By Ronald W. DeMasi, M.D.

It’s not uncommon to experience occasional diarrhea or constipation, but what if your symptoms were lingering, or relatively regular occurrences? Over 20% of the population has IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), but that’s not accounting for the nearly 45 million Americans that silently suffer from the symptoms of IBS.

There are two different types of this syndrome, IBS-D, and IBS-M. IBS-D is recurrent or chronic diarrhea, and IBS-M

is a combination of episodic diarrhea or constipation. Both of these types of the disorder are often not diagnosed until 5-10 years after a patient’s initial experience.

IBS Symptoms (can be mild to severe):
• Changes in bowel habits
• Bloating
• Gassiness
• Pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

Until recently, there was difficulty in understanding the complete disease state and in conjunction, difficulty in diagnosis. Quest Diagnostic has a new technology that can diagnose both forms IBS with a simple blood test. The test is aptly named, IBSDetex™

1Quest Diagnostic Explains the detection of IBS in detail on their website

The IBS-gastroenteritis connection
For decades, medical science has struggled to understand the pathogenesis of IBS. But mounting evidence suggests a link to acute gastroenteritis or a recent bout of food poisoning.
• Gastroenteritis-related bacteria produce the neurotoxin CdtB (cytolethal distending toxin B)
• The immune system produces antibodies that attack CdtB
• These antibodies cross-react with vinculin, a protein lining the intestinal tract
• The lining is degraded, leading to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• SIBO manifests as bloating and abdominal pain, the first symptoms of IBS

Based on this new pathogenetic understanding of the disease, researchers have identified and validated two serum biomarkers for diarrhea-prominent IBS: anti-CdtB (cytolethal distending toxin B) and anti-vinculin (1).

After years of patients struggling with painful and inconvenient symptoms without the proper diagnosis, now medical professionals and patients alike can benefit from an accurate, simple, non-invasive test to relieve the discomfort and bothersome side effects of IBS. Treating IBS has never been easier. Why wait? Isn’t it time for you to find out for sure, whether irritable bowel syndrome causes your symptoms? Ask your physician to order the IBSDetex™ today; so that you can get the proper treatment you need to alleviate your distress.

References:
1. © 2000-2017 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, Quest Diagnostic Irritable Bowel Syndrome,How IBSDetex™ Works – Testing for IBS

Ronald DeMasi, M.D. M.S.P.H,
Board Certified Gastroenterologist

After completing his training at Yale University’s St. Raphael Hospital Progam in 1998, Dr. Ronald DeMasi returned home to Venice, FL to practice with his father, Clem DeMasi, M.D. In 2009, he established DeMasi Digestive Health with a vision to build on the foundation that began with his father: serving patients with the excellent care and the compassion they deserve.

DeMasi Digestive Health is a comprehensive gastroenterology practice that focuses on the treatment of the gastrointestinal or “GI” tract diseases and disorders. They diagnose and treat the conditions of the digestive organs, including stomach, esophagus, intestines, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.

If you or someone you know has GI ailments or other related symptoms, please contact DeMasi Digestive Health at (941) 584-6272, or visit demasidigestivehealth.com