Brief Answer:
Please comfirm if it IBS

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.

Would you clarify a few things for me, please?
*what is his height and weight? Any weight loss recently?
*does he have any other medical issues or take any other medications/supplements?
*how long had the diarrhea? How many episodes in a day? Does it occur after meals?
Any mucus or foul smell to the stools? Is there increased passing of gas or bloating?
*does he smoke or consume alcohol?
*why was he on the probiotic (align) earlier? Did the current symptoms start after stopping the probiotic?
*is this the first he has experienced the diarrhea episodes? Was the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) made by doctor? Did they run any tests or do any procedures?
*any travel recently, before symptoms appeared?

I recommend :
-drink plenty of water (if not contraindicated by coexisting medical problems) - about 3 liters a day.
Avoid water during meals and for a half hour after. Small sips are OK, if needed.

-Have smaller but more frequent (every 3 hrs except at night) meals and make sure to chew food thoroughly before swallowing.
This aids in digestion and gas formation.

-avoid trigger goods. Certain foods aggravate the symptoms of IBS. Maintain a food log to see which foods seem to trigger them. Common triggers are potatoes, beans, undercooked lentils, cabbage, peas but may differ between individuals

-avoid eating fruit close to meal times (keep a gap of an hour after or before)
Combining certain food groups like milk and fruit can be a trigger. Monitor these with the daily log.

-avoid too much fiber intake, especially supplements. Natural fiber (whole fruits and vegetables, sprouts) is fine

Turmeric is a potent antioxidants and antiseptic. It can help but not necessarily. We as South Indians add turmeric in our daily diet but IBS is rampant.
I believe it is more due to stress and improper dietary habits. So he may take it but if his stomach seems more upset, should stop ad it can irritate the stomach mucosa.

If he hasn't been seen by a doctor, and he doesn't feel better with the above measure in 10 days or if symptoms worsen, I recommend :
-a physician consult
-blood tests (complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
-electrocardiogram
-stool analysis and culture to check for infection
-colonoscopy If clinically indicated.

Based on this, a treatment plan will be made and initiated.
I urge you seek help especially if diarrhea continues or there is weight loss or if he seems fatigued.
A diagnosis of IBS is made of nothing else is found to be wrong and is based on clinical findings.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you both good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad

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Brief Answer:
Please see a doctor if symptoms worsen or doesn't get better in 1 month

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up and clarifications.

Please do try my recommendations. If however, it doesn't seem to get better in a month or gets worse, see a doctor to make sure it is the stress and nothibg else.

Calming the mind improves the response to stress (which is unavoidable) and minimizes the adverse effects. Yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercises will help.
Music will also soothe and help when he works to keep the mind relaxed.
Should be music he enjoys.

Hope I've helped. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Wish you both good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad

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