Overcoming Irritable Bowel Syndrome
If you suffer with uncomfortable symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea, you may have irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. Since we still don’t know what causes irritable bowel syndrome, our treatments focus on relieving symptoms so you can live a more normal life. Symptoms can vary greatly from person to person and include:
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal cramping
- Bloated feeling
- Excessive gas
- Mucus in the stool
- Diarrhea or constipation (which can cause hemorrhoids) – sometimes alternating constipation and diarrhea
Breath tests are available at our practice to diagnose the cause for irritable bowel syndrome, such as bacterial overgrowth of the small bowel (which is responsible 30% of the time), lactose (milk) intolerance and other food intolerances such as celiac disease. The patient’s breath is collected into a container, taking about two hours. Once we identify the reason, then it becomes treatable, such as with antibiotics for bacterial overgrowth.
Changing Your Diet
IBS is mostly a chronic condition, although symptoms are worse at times and may improve or even disappear completely at other times. More often than not, you can successfully control mild symptoms by managing your stress and making diet and lifestyle changes. Avoid foods that trigger symptoms. Also exercise, drink plenty of fluids and get enough sleep.
Eliminating high gas-producing foods can help with IBS symptoms. Certain carbohydrates in food can ferment and cause excess gas. These carbohydrates are called FODMAPS, and following a low-FODMAP diet can help decrease the gas and bloating. Fiber supplements such as psyllium (Metamucil) with fluids may help control constipation. If fiber doesn’t help, your doctor may prescribe milk of magnesia. For 30% of patients, a reason cannot be found for which there are newer treatments available.
You don’t have to live with the uncomfortable symptoms of IBS. Get more information about treatment by calling us at 908-688-6565 or use our convenient Request an Appointment form.
