What is irritable bowel syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, is a gastrointestinal condition that affects your large intestine.
It affects about two times as many women as men and is common in people younger than 45 years old. The cause of IBS isn’t entirely clear, but with proper treatment, you can manage your symptoms.
What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome is often characterized by the following signs and symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Cramping
- Excessive gas
- Mucus in the stool
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
IBS symptoms may worsen in stressful situations or after consuming certain foods and drinks.
What causes Irritable bowel syndrome?
Though the exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is unknown, certain factors may play a role in its development. Examples include nervous system abnormalities, strong intestinal muscle contractions, intestinal inflammation, infections, and changes in gut bacteria.
What are the risk factors of IBS?
Your risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome increases if you:
- Are female
- Are younger than age 50
- Have a mental health disorder
- Have a family history of IBS
Triggers for irritable bowel syndrome may include stress, depression, anxiety, hormone changes – and eating dairy foods, wheat products, beans, cabbage, carbonated drinks, or citrus fruits.
How is irritable bowel syndrome treated?
At your appointment, Dr. Cho reviews your symptoms and medical history to determine if you have IBS. He may complete an exam or specific tests, such as gluten intolerance tests, to rule out underlying medical conditions.
Your personalized irritable bowel syndrome treatment plan might include:
- Stress-relieving therapies
- Avoiding IBS trigger foods
- Drinking more water
- Sleeping more
- Getting regular exercise
- Taking fiber supplements
- Using laxatives
- Taking medications to ease symptoms
Certain medications help relax your colon, reduce intestinal muscle contractions, decrease bacterial overgrowth, or increase intestinal fluid secretion to reduce IBS symptoms.
Dr. Cho and his team personalize your treatment plan based on the severity of symptoms and your IBS triggers.
Don’t suffer through irritable bowel syndrome symptoms if you don’t have to. Call Samuel Cho, MD, PC, to learn more about your treatment options, or schedule an appointment online today.
