What does "functional" mean as it relates

i'm still puzzled why people jump to the conclusion that doctors are telling them it's all in your head. the mind and the body have never been separate although some think they are. my understanding of 'functional' is that it means your body/mind is not functioning right even if they can't pinpoint an exact cause.tom

i'm still puzzled why people jump to the conclusion that doctors are telling them it's all in your head. the mind and the body have never been separate although some think they are. my understanding of 'functional' is that it means your body/mind is not functioning right even if they can't pinpoint an exact cause.tom

tom - I agree with you that even though they may not be able to find the cause, we shouldn't jump to the conclusion that it's "all in our head" If so then, I could forget about it and it would go away, right? Or if I'd never heard of IBS, then I never could have it. Like you, I do believe in the link bewteen serotonin and gut reaction. I'm lving proof. I did have a doctor once who explained it pretty well to me. Some people's body can't react well to things like sugar and have phsyical reactions. Well, I just don't react well physically to stress and whatever it is in the body that is released. We did talk about going the anti-depressant or anti-anxiety route to treat it but I balked. Not because of the intellectual implications, but because I balk at most medicines I would have to take daily.nancy

tom - I agree with you that even though they may not be able to find the cause, we shouldn't jump to the conclusion that it's "all in our head" If so then, I could forget about it and it would go away, right? Or if I'd never heard of IBS, then I never could have it. Like you, I do believe in the link bewteen serotonin and gut reaction. I'm lving proof. I did have a doctor once who explained it pretty well to me. Some people's body can't react well to things like sugar and have phsyical reactions. Well, I just don't react well physically to stress and whatever it is in the body that is released. We did talk about going the anti-depressant or anti-anxiety route to treat it but I balked. Not because of the intellectual implications, but because I balk at most medicines I would have to take daily.nancy

Yes, I agree, don't be upset with the word "functional" it's kind of like "essential" is when describing hypertension. That's high blood pressure without any "cause" such as kidney disease, or heart disease. They still have high blood pressure, it's not psychological. But the doctors don't know why.I am always glad when I have tests and they don't find anything "wrong." I KNOW I still have real symptoms and pain. (I know I'm nuts but not because of that!!! LOL!!)much love and light to all friends, michele-

Yes, I agree, don't be upset with the word "functional" it's kind of like "essential" is when describing hypertension. That's high blood pressure without any "cause" such as kidney disease, or heart disease. They still have high blood pressure, it's not psychological. But the doctors don't know why.I am always glad when I have tests and they don't find anything "wrong." I KNOW I still have real symptoms and pain. (I know I'm nuts but not because of that!!! LOL!!)much love and light to all friends, michele-

Cig, you might want to read this. http://www.med.unc.edu/medicine/fgidc/motility.htm Also this http://www.annenberg.net/TEN12/ibs3.html

Cig, you might want to read this. http://www.med.unc.edu/medicine/fgidc/motility.htm Also this http://www.annenberg.net/TEN12/ibs3.html

FYI"Irritable bowel syndrome is generally classified as a "functional" disorder. A functional disorder refers to a disorder or disease where the primary abnormality is an altered physiological function (the way the body works), rather than an identifiable structural or biochemical cause."

FYI"Irritable bowel syndrome is generally classified as a "functional" disorder. A functional disorder refers to a disorder or disease where the primary abnormality is an altered physiological function (the way the body works), rather than an identifiable structural or biochemical cause."

it is comforting to read a post where someone else has the same problem. I also have constant discomfort in the right side though. That is a good way to put it "discomfort". Sometimes worse sometimes better. MY stomach is very sore to touch.

it is comforting to read a post where someone else has the same problem. I also have constant discomfort in the right side though. That is a good way to put it "discomfort". Sometimes worse sometimes better. MY stomach is very sore to touch.