Uhm.. is this.. IBS?

[Twist16]

I have been having these symptoms for about a year now.. and I was just wondering if this could be IBS.

I Have-
* a lump on the left side of my navel (Could be the descending colon) With a abnormal pressure inside.. (Kinda feels like I just want to rip it out cause it's not supposed to be there)Also there is a big pulse down in that area.
* Often heartburns
* occasional aches under my left rib, chest area
* Lots of gas
* Not going to the bathroom everyday, usually once every two days.


Also, I am not sure if this could be a symptom.. but from much research.. It makes sense. I noticed that I have a musty body odor problem, can't wear perfumes, bad breath.. etc. I have heard that bacteria can build up into the intestinal/colon area and its can spread throughout your body and cause an odor..

Do any of you know of a good colon cleanse that you can buy at a health food store?

What kinda of foods would you recommend staying away from besides coffee, and sugar?

How do you think I should deal with this besides going to a doctor?

You're help is much appreciated!

thx ~Twist


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"If you live the way you love, you'll love the way you live."

"If you set your mind on doing it, you can do it!"

[Lindarella]

I don't know why you don't want to go to the doctor but you need to. People don't have lumps in their abdomen for no reason. It could be something very serious.....

[Twist16]

I did go to the doctor, but I'm going to go again because I didn't think of it being IBS last time.

Oh.. and BTW, I'm 16.

A lump at the side of your belly button could mean that you have what is know as a umbilical hernia or you could possibly have a type of diverticula pouch that is caused by some of the cells of the stomach protruding into the small intestine.

The lump also may be neither of these things and could just be a sebaceous cyst. It could be a result of your constipation though and you need to sort that out with some Metamucil, by drinking more water and possibly adding prune juice. Also look at your diet to see what that is like and try to improve upon it. Cut out the junk food, caffeine and soda.

However, go see your doc and let him examine your belly to make sure. Also, it is normal to be able to see and feel a pulse in your belly area. The largest artery of your body that comes from the heart, the Aorta runs right through your belly being called the abdominal aorta when it runs through there. Don't worry about that.

[Twist16]

The 'lump' isn't exactly a ball.. if you feel it its hard from my left rib and down. It also gets a little bigger down in the lower part of my stomache.

When I do go to the bathroom, its not always hard. I've only been really constipated once, and that was about a year ago. It's usually just soft, or on the verge of becoming consipated. Sometimes its feels like I'm letting out peanuts in it (Sorry.. this is kinda gross...) or has chunks of food in it. But, when I go to the bathroom, I don't go a whole lot.

Usually when I have the pressure in my stomache, I get the heartburn, and chest pain. The pain also goes into my back... so I'm pretty sure that they are all part of the same thing.