Stomach woes are one of the worst health ailments to live with. Making a mad dash to the bathroom at the most inconvenient times is frustrating, and not to mention embarrassing. If it feels like you’re spending a lot of time in the bathroom with frequent upset stomach issues, you might have irritable bowel syndrome.
Irritable bowel syndrome, otherwise known as IBS, is quite common. Up to 45 million people in the United States are living with IBS. We’ll discuss what you need to know about irritable bowel syndrome as well as what you can do to alleviate the symptoms.
What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
IBS is a condition that affects the large intestine. This is also a chronic condition that will need managing over the course of your life.
Unfortunately, there is no known cause of IBS. There are several theories about the root cause of IBS, ranging from genetics to psychological responses to trauma. What’s known is that the symptoms are typically a response to muscle spasms and food sensitivities.
The good news is that most people with IBS do not experience severe symptoms. In the worst cases, you can treat IBS with medication and counseling.
What are the Symptoms of IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome comes with an array of gastrointestinal symptoms. They can range from annoying to unpleasant and even severely disruptive to your everyday life. Below, you will find the most common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome:
- Cramping and abdominal pain that comes along with passing a bowel movement
- Changes to the appearance of bowel movements
- Changes in frequency of bowel movements
- Stomach bloating
- Increased gas
- Mucus in stool
While these symptoms can be unpleasant, many times you can work through them without need to see a doctor. However, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your general practitioner if you experiencing the following:
- Weight loss in relation to IBS
- Rectal bleeding
- Having episodes of diarrhea at night
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain that continues despite having a bowel movement
How do Doctors Diagnose IBS?
IBS is common but it is also tricky to diagnose. In fact, there is no definitive test to diagnose IBS, but there are tests that can help you understand what might be going on along with potential triggers.
Typically, your general physician will want to do a complete medical history and physical exam. They will want to rule out other conditions such as celiac disease.
Meanwhile, there is a set of diagnostic criteria that a general physician may use for IBS. This includes:
- Rome criteria: This criterion indicates how long the abdominal pain and discomfort last on average. It’s usually one day a week within the last 3 months that is associated with pain, discomfort, and the frequency of the past bowel movements.
- IBS Type: A general physician will also determine the type of IBS you may have. They are divided into three types that are based on your symptoms. The three types of IBS include constipation-predominant, diarrhea-predominant, or mixed.
The general physician will then ask about symptoms such as weight loss, nighttime diarrhea episodes, and more. If you are experiencing these types of symptoms, additional testing may be required.
What Types Of Testing Are Used For IBS?
If your doctor suspects that you have a more severe condition of irritable bowel syndrome, there are some tests that may be required to fully diagnose.
These tests include:
- Colonoscopy, where the doctor uses a flexible tube to examine the colon.
- X-ray or CT scan, which captures images of the abdomen to rule out other causes for your pain and discomfort. Your doctor may also require a GI series to make any potential problems more visible.
- Upper Endoscopy, where a flexible tube is inserted through the throat with a camera and the doctor examines your upper digestive tract. A biopsy (tissue sample) will likely be collected from the small intestine to see if there is an overgrowth of bacteria.
The good news is that not all tests for IBS or underlying conditions are invasive. There are other types of tests that can be done at your general physician’s office, or even conducted by your local pharmacy.
These tests include:
- Lactose intolerance test: If your body does not produce enough lactase, you might experience problems that are similar to irritable bowel syndrome. This includes gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. You may also take this and in the form of a breath test, or even remove milk and milk products from your diet.
- Breath test for bacteria: An additional breath test that you may take for IBS is a bacterial growth test. This test can determine if you have an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine without the need of taking a biopsy. Bacterial growth is more common in people who have diabetes or had bowel surgery in the past.
- Stool tests: Lastly, your general physician may request a stool table to check for parasites and bacteria, or digestive liquid in your liver (bile acid).
Palm Harbor Pharmacy also offers a GI Map test. It’s an at-home stool sample test that can assist with IBS as well as viral pathogens, autoimmune disease, and more. The cost also includes a 30-minute consultation along with your results.
How to Manage IBS
Whether you suspect you have IBS or you have been diagnosed with it, you might be wondering how to manage irritable bowel syndrome.
The good news is that IBS is a manageable condition, although it may take some trial and error with finding out what works best for you. Here are a few ways that you can help manage irritable bowel syndrome. Keep in mind that these suggestions are based on your symptoms, and you may need the help of your family doctor or a dietitian to help you further.
Avoiding High Gas Foods
One way to help manage irritable bowel syndrome is by avoiding high gas foods. Certain foods can cause more bloating and gas, such as carbonated or alcoholic beverages. If you notice bloating in connection to a certain food, be sure to avoid that food or beverage as much as possible.
Exercise Regularly
This is especially useful if you find yourself constipated as part of your IBS symptoms. Cardio exercises such as running or jumping rope can help promote bowel movements. Not to mention, regular exercise will also help promote overall good health.
Avoid Gluten
Some people with IBS can have improvement with diarrhea symptoms by avoiding gluten. You will find gluten foods such as wheat, rye, and barley. You can experience an improvement by avoiding gluten even if you do not have celiac disease.
Avoid Certain Carbohydrates
Not all carbohydrates are bad, but some carbs might trigger episodes with irritable bowel syndrome. You might be sensitive to carbs such as fructose, lactose and others such as FODMAPs which are found in grains, vegetables, fruits as well as dairy products.
Know Your Triggers and Symptoms
Being in tune with your own symptoms and triggers with IBS is incredibly helpful. You’ll want to keep track of your symptoms and record them in a journal, including diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain. You will also want to note what you were eating, how you were feeling, and if you took any type of medication.
This is important because it can help your general physician determine if there are any connections to your IBS, such as food intake or mood disorders.
Get Support and Stay Prepared
Whether it’s at work or at home, you’ll want to talk to people you trust about your condition. You may need to let trusted supervisors or colleagues know that you have to step away to use this restroom, although you will still remain dedicated to your job.
When you go out in public, whether it’s to a wedding or a grocery store, make sure you know where the bathroom is located ahead of time. This way, you aren’t left frantic and scrambling when symptoms arise.
There are numerous medications available to help with IBS as well. Consider using our GI Map testing to help explore if there are other underlying conditions in relation to your IBS. Whether your IBS is stemmed from anxiety or food sensitivity, Palm Harbor Pharmacy is dedicated to helping you live your healthiest life possible.