IBS Awareness Month is April: Learn About the Signs, Symptoms and Treatments

A number of people are impacted by ongoing intestinal distress and bowel concerns. What you may not know is that this could be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome or IBS. This ailment affects 10 – 15% of the population and is incurable. At Colorado Gastroenterology in Denver, CO, it’s our intent to bring attention to this disease throughout April, which is IBS Awareness Month. Just because there is no permanent solution, it doesn’t mean you have to live with ongoing gastrointestinal (GI) distress.

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

IBS is a long-term GI condition that affects digestive function and involves the large and small intestines. Simply put, the brain and gut have difficulty working jointly, and it causes the intestinal system to become sensitive and causes the colon muscle to compress more than is typical.

These issues can induce symptoms, like bloating, abdominal pain, cramping, constipation, loose stools, and more. If you have this ailment, you likely won't encounter IBS symptoms every day. In reality, some days will be completely normal, while others will be worse — it truly depends on the type of IBS you suffer from. The distinct types of IBS include:

• IBS with constipation
• IBS with mixed bowel habits
• IBS with diarrhea

Our IBS specialists at Colorado Gastroenterology routinely provide IBS treatment to Denver, CO clients. We can ascertain what type of irritable bowel syndrome you suffer from and help you find comfort.

How is IBS diagnosed?

If you have experienced signs of IBS, it may be wise to seek the aid of a gastroenterologist near you. Our team can help you determine if your troubles are irritable bowel syndrome or a different problem. Before a physical test, we’ll ask a few questions to help us comprehend your symptoms and health history. In some instances, we may advise having a blood evaluation or providing a stool sample to eliminate any diseases that might be mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome. Typical signs of IBS include:

• Gas
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Bowel urgency
• Decrease in appetite
• Abdominal discomfort
• Bloating

Once we obtain sufficient evidence that you have IBS, our GI specialists in Denver, CO can identify the ideal irritable bowel syndrome treatment to meet your requirements.

How is IBS addressed?

There is no tried-and-true remedy for irritable bowel syndrome, so it could take some trial and error to discover an IBS treatment that works for you. However, most adults find that they can make a few diet and activity adjustments and have outstanding results. Common changes that often reduce IBS symptoms are:

• Eating fewer dairy products
• Increasing fiber intake (more grains, fruits, veggies, and additional fiber, like Metamucil®)
• Maintaining a regular exercise routine
• Increasing liquid consumption
• Eating minor meals more often rather than three bigger meals
• Avoiding all kinds of caffeine
• Giving up smoking

It’s also smart to keep a food diary. This can allow you to discover which foods trigger irritable bowel syndrome troubles so you can be proactive about not eating those foods in the future. Furthermore, if you take any medications, we might investigate those to discern if any improvements can be made to the type or amount.

Relief from IBS is within your reach

If you suffer issues from irritable bowel syndrome, like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and gas, it can be difficult to schedule trips or daily outings, as this affliction can disrupt even the most special events. We recommend visiting our gastrointestinal physicians in Denver, CO without delay so we can help you identify and alleviate your irritable bowel syndrome troubles. While there is no cure, it is possible to relieve your symptoms so you can enjoy life. For additional details on IBS or IBS treatments, get in touch with Colorado Gastroenterology today.