Bouts of diarrhea, constipation, and painful gas can be pretty uncomfortable, preventing you from enjoying your favorite activities. You can treat these symptoms by adopting a healthy diet, but you may need to see a doctor if the symptoms persist. Fortunately, the Cypress irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) specialists at GastroDoxs offer consultation services and effective management techniques that address the root cause of IBS.

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome refers to a disorder that affects the functioning of your large intestines. In most cases, the symptoms are mild and usually improve after making lifestyle changes, managing diet, and reducing stress. But there are cases where the symptoms may be severe, making it uncomfortable to carry out your daily activities. Everyone occasionally experiences painful gas, bouts of diarrhea, and constipation, but you may need medical care if these symptoms do not improve with adopting a healthy lifestyle. Although irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not a tell-tale sign of colon cancer or inflammatory disease, it prevents you from enjoying your life. Persistent symptoms of IBS can also result from an underlying illness, which makes regular screening paramount for early detection. Get continence assessment form qld.

What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?

IBS signs and symptoms may vary from one person to the other, but they are usually persistent. You may experience the following symptoms:

• Bloating, abdominal pain, or cramping during bowel movement
• Changes in the appearance of your bowel movement
• Changes in the frequency of having your bowel movement
• Increased gas
• Presence of mucus in your stool

You may need to consult a doctor if you experience these additional signs and symptoms:

• Trouble swallowing
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Unexplained weight loss
• Unexplained vomiting
• Rectal bleeding
• Persistent abdominal pain that does not improve by making a bowel movement

What causes irritable bowel syndrome?

The exact cause of IBS is not yet known, but researchers claim that a combination of several factors can contribute to the occurrence of the disorder. Your intestinal walls have a layer of mucus that facilitates rhythmic contraction to transport food substances through the digestive system. When the contractions intensify or weaken, the digestive system fails to function as expected. Defects in your nervous system can also contribute to the development of IBS.

How can you manage IBS at home?

The first step to managing IBS is identifying the underlying cause of IBS and taking the initiative to avoid those causative factors. It may be challenging to adopt a new lifestyle and stick to a specific diet, but a healthy lifestyle may treat your discomfort. In most cases, intake of certain foods triggers IBS, and these foods may vary from one person to another. Common foods that may cause IBS to include:

• Chocolate
• Cabbage
• Beans
• Broccoli
• Spices
• Milk

To identify the foods to avoid, you should adjust to a bland diet and gradually add other foods that trigger IBS symptoms while monitoring your body’s response. You can also obtain relief from IBS symptoms by getting adequate sleep, reducing stress, and regular exercise.

Call Dr. Pothuri or schedule an online appointment if you are struggling with IBS symptoms.