Unraveling the Enigma: Unveiling the Cause of Worsening GI Symptoms
A woman who had been suffering from severe gastrointestinal symptoms for 25 years finally received a diagnosis of bile acid malabsorption (BAM) after a gastroenterologist connected her symptoms to her gallbladder removal surgery. She was prescribed a medication called cholestyramine, which alleviated her symptoms within 72 hours. The diagnosis allowed her to reintroduce foods she had previously avoided and significantly improved her quality of life. Researchers suggest that up to 30% of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) may actually have BAM, emphasizing the importance of individualized treatment based on the underlying cause of symptoms.