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Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Specialists in Gastroenterology Our Services Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Specialists in Gastroenterology

Board Certified Gastroenterologists located in St. Louis, MO

When you have diarrhea or constipation with abdominal cramping that won’t go away, it could be a gastrointestinal disorder called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). To discover the root cause of your symptoms, Specialists in Gastroenterology offers in-office diagnostic testing to confirm or rule out IBS. They design a treatment plan to ease your IBS symptoms and help you better manage your condition. If you have IBS symptoms and need testing, call the St. Louis, Missouri, office or book an appointment online.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Q & A

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) describes several symptoms that affect your large intestine and interfere with your gastrointestinal health.

IBS can cause ongoing or come-and-go abdominal pain during bowel movements. You can also experience:

  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Cramping
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Unexplained weight loss

IBS can also change the appearance of your bowel movements. You might notice mucus in your stool.

What are the risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome?

While the root cause of irritable bowel syndrome isn’t well understood, you could be at increased risk of developing IBS if you have a family history of the disorder. 

IBS is also more common in people under 50, especially girls and women, and those with anxiety or other mental health conditions.

IBS doesn’t raise your risk of getting colon or rectal cancer. In some cases, IBS symptoms can be severe enough to interfere with your quality of life.

Specialists in Gastroenterology offers comprehensive care to IBS sufferers to help them manage their symptoms.

How is irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed?

There’s no specific test to confirm or rule out irritable bowel syndrome. Your provider can diagnose or rule out IBS by reviewing your personal and family medical history and your symptoms.

You might need an upper endoscopy or colonoscopy to identify obstructions or inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract. The team could also order blood work to check for infection.

How is irritable bowel syndrome treated?

Because there’s no cure for irritable bowel syndrome, the Specialists in Gastroenterology team comprehensively manages all aspects of irritable bowel syndrome using a tailored approach through medications, testing, and diet manipulation. 

Diet manipulation

The team can recommend high-fiber foods that you can include in your diet and offer other advice to improve your overall nutrition. It’s also important that you drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

Testing

Specialists in Gastroenterology offers a variety of testing to regulate your symptoms and adjust your treatment plan if needed. 

Taking medications

In some cases, the team prescribes medications to treat ongoing diarrhea or relax the muscles in your intestines to relieve constipation and abdominal pain.

If you have ongoing abdominal pain, gas, or bloating, schedule a diagnostic evaluation for irritable bowel syndrome in-person or through a telemedicine visit using your smartphone or computer. You can book an appointment online today or call the office today.