Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects your large intestine (bowels). Researchers believe that factors like infection, stress during early life, and abnormal muscle contractions in the intestine might be to blame.
Some of the signs you might have irritable bowel syndrome include:
IBS is more common among women and people under age 50. If you develop the above-mentioned symptoms, schedule a diagnostic exam right away.
IBS doesn’t cause damage to your bowels or lead to other gastrointestinal diseases, so it isn’t a dangerous condition that can cause serious health issues. However, the symptoms of IBS can be very disruptive to your daily routines.
Many people with IBS begin to plan their lives around having easy access to a bathroom. When symptoms act up, it can ruin your day. The symptoms themselves are unpleasant, and the resulting embarrassment and anxiety can further exacerbate the problem.
The symptoms of IBS can shift and change over time. For example, you might experience diarrhea sometimes and constipation at other times. Your symptoms might begin and end with no warning. Even when symptoms subside, you may worry about when and where they’ll return. This keeps you trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of symptoms and the need to manage them. It can be challenging to feel truly free from IBS without professional treatment.
If you have gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, or cramps frequently, reach out to Dr. Padda to find a path forward.
IBS has no cure, but professional treatment empowers you to manage the condition. This begins by identifying the triggers that bring on symptoms and then learning to avoid those triggers. Dr. Padda helps you find ways to make meaningful and sustainable lifestyle and dietary changes.
Learning how to manage stress is an important part of treating the condition. Most people with IBS have specific food sensitivities. You can try a diet that eliminates common problem foods and then slowly reintroduces them to determine which foods cause symptoms. Dr. Padda can also prescribe medications to help you through periods of diarrhea or constipation.
When you’re ready, call the office or request an appointment with Dr. Padda online.