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"   Question I take water tablets for high blood pressure which alleviate my water retention, but I am not convinced that I have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). My bowels have been ok, maybe slightly constipated but still going everyday. I have a feeling of nausea most of the time and have a painful left side towards my kidneys (I&amp;#039;ve had my kidneys checked recently and showed no problems).  Is it possible that it is some kind of ulcer instead of IBS?   Answer The presently accepted criteria for diagnosing IBS is discomfort or pain in the abdomen for 12 weeks or more in the last 12 months, along with two or more of the following:   Pain relieved by passing a motion.    Change in frequency of passing a motion.    Change in appearance of the motion (such as hard or loose stools).  So if you only have a bit of constipation and if that is not related to your pain, and your bowels are still regular, then a diagnosis of IBS seems unlikely. Nausea is usually a symptom from the upper gastrointestinal tract (the stomach or small bowel) whereas IBS is a disorder of the large bowel.  IBS pain is usually colicky in nature ie it comes and goes, and may be central or sometimes in the lower left side of the abdomen.  It is difficult to comment on the pain you have as &amp;#039;the left side&amp;#039; covers a large area. However it is encouraging that you have had your kidneys checked out.  I am not convinced either that the symptoms you describe are due to an ulcer.  However as there is clearly some doubt that this is IBS, I think you would be quite justified in going back to your doctor and explaining this and asking if other possibilities could be taken into account.  You do not say if you have seen a specialist, but if you have not, then you can ask if your GP will refer you to see a gastroenterologist (bowel disorder specialist).  Yours sincerely The NetDoctor Medical Team  Other Qs &amp;amp;amp; As Acid indigestion and irregular bowel movements Antidepressants and IBS Bowel problems Can I cure my irritable bowel syndrome? Can stress cause IBS? Could diet be affecting my IBS? Could IBS develop into Crohn&amp;#039;s disease? Do I have diverticular disease or IBS? Do I have IBS? Do I suffer from IBS? Fluoxetine to improve IBS Gas in the lower bowel Has my IBS got worse or is this a tummy bug? I don&amp;#039;t think I have IBS I have IBS: what foods should I avoid? I think that maybe I don\u2019t have IBS at all IBS IBS and candidiasis IBS and recreational drugs IBS or food allergy? Irregular bowel movements Irritable bowel sindrome&amp;#039;s symptoms Is this IBS? I&amp;#039;ve IBS and there is blood on my toilet paper My eight year old has involuntary bowel movements My IBS symptoms lessened Parecetamol to control pain from IBS Post-infective IBS Problems in the bowel Problems with the bowel movements Relieve of IBS Three or four bowel movements daily  Last updated 28.01.2015 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ask-the-expert/digestive-health/a4867/could-my-nausea-be-ibs-or-an-ulcer/>