Q Dear Doctor, I have been suffering from chronic diarrhoea since 20 years. In dec 2000, I consumed some indian herbal medicines(1. qurs malthee pasanth 2. jawarish amla sada 3.jawarish mastagi 4. habbe samak 5.indamali)which were advised by hamdard labs. Delhi. After five days, I faced severe diarhhoea which I never faced in my life.Before consuming unani medicines I didnt have serious problems. Now, I am having the following problems. 1. My stomach does not agree wheat products (like chappathi, biscuits etc.), soup,coconut and dairy products, potato fry, fruit juices particularly mango & lemon juices, allopathic medicines, ayurvedic medicines,even homeo medicines. Diarrhoea takes place immediately. 2.Eructation with metallic smell 3. More flatus 4. heart palpitation (after having food and after evacuate the stool) 5. fatigue 6.excessive thirst 7. foul smell in mouth Last year, both endoscopy and colonoscopy has been taken for me. But reports are normal. Doctor advise me Mebaspa (mebeverine hydrochloride - 135mg.), Libotryp (Amitriptyline,5 mg chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride and 2.5 mg clidinium bromide), lacto bacillus powder, Omeprazole. But,I am not satisfied the above treatment. While consuming the above medicines my bowel becomes more irritate. loose motion is occcuring. Problems are still remain. Some doctors are saying this is IBS but some other doctors are saying this is not classical IBS. Which is correct and what should I have to do? Now I read some articles about small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Where Latulose Hydrogen breathe test is available in India. Kindly need your advise. Thanks M.M.Farook
SIBO or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth may be the reason in your case, if other causes are already rules out. This is excess growth of intestinal bacterial flora which shows same symptoms as you have. The gases are produced when bacterias digest food and convert it into substance. This toxic material may cause diarrhea and other symptoms. The gases produced have methane and hydrogen which circulate in the blood and go to the lungs, where they are eliminated in the breath. These gases can be measured in the breath with special analysers. this test is known as hydrogen breath test. SIBO may be associated with IBS sometimes so the confusion in diagnosis by doctors is possible. Kindly continue the treatment with any of the specialist. Undergoing for for the test may be beneficial for your diagnosis and needs consultation with your doctor first.