Male speaker: Tiffany Tobaben is a 31-year-old veterinarian from Dallas, Texas. She has seen a number of physicians and specialists for her intestinal problems, which date back to her teenage years. Tiffany's condition, which is known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, causes unrelenting discomfort as well as symptoms that can trigger overwhelming anxiety.
Tiffany Tobaben: I had an endoscopy, ultrasound barium, colonoscopy; I mean pretty much anything blood tests, lots of tests you know from specialist to specialist to specialist. It's good because they have to know if you have something else.
Dr. Lawrence Schiller: Many of the patients become frustrated because they undergo a series of investigations that don't show any abnormalities. It's important to keep in mind that the purpose of those investigations is to exclude other serious diseases that might be present.
Male Speaker: Tiffany also compiled a food diary, but her efforts failed to yield any helpful clues.
Tiffany Tobaben: I think the thing that was most frustrating is that there wasn't a food that I could pinpoint.
Male Speaker: Our brains and intestinal tracts, which each develop in the same part of the human embryo are linked by vast numbers of nerves. Tiffany's physician, Dr. Lawrence Schiller, a Gastroenterology specialist at the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, says this brain-body connection is a key aspect of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Dr. Lawrence Schiller: While every disease has an emotional component to it and the Irritable Bowel Syndrome is no different.
Male Speaker: Anxiety, stress and tension can lead to flare-ups for many IBS patients. Tiffany recalls her diarrhea was particularly difficult while she was dealing with the rigors of veterinarian school.
Tiffany Tobaben: Yeah you would be at class all day long and they really didn't like you leaving all the time. If you're in the middle of a surgery and you are supposed to be holding something and don't let go and if you have to go, that's a problem.
Dr. Albena Halpert: A lot of patients feel embarrassed talking about these issues. You can imagine that stool incontinence and having accidents and having problems with having bowel movements is not easy to talk about.
Male Speaker: Dr. Peter Whorwell, a respected IBS expert tells his patients that IBS is a legitimate medical disorder. And although, there is currently no cure, it is a condition that can be successfully managed.
Dr. Peter Whorwell: We are going to reduce the level of your pain. We are going to reduce the level of your bloating. We'll try to normalize your bowel functions as much as possible and give them various coping mechanisms.
Male Speaker: Getting medical attention for a health problem is always a wise idea. Tiffany is pleased with the effectiveness of her latest medication.
Tiffany Tobaben: I feel great. I don't have abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
Male Speaker: Free from the painful symptoms of IBS, Tiffany is able to focus more intently on caring for her furry patients as a veterinarian.
Tiffany Tobaben: It has penetrated got into that looks like it's favor wordings and as I could guess it's --
Male Speaker: Seeking a diagnoses and treatment for painful anxiety producing symptoms makes far more sense than stoically suffering in silence.
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