If you have been experiencing discomfort and pain in the gastrointestinal area, and the symptoms are chronic in nature, you may wonder if you have an ailment that can be easily treated with lifestyle and dietary changes or if the reason for your symptoms are something at a greater magnitude. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that is estimated to affect 25 to 45 million people in the United States. This number has such a large range because many people do not seek treatment, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly how many people really suffer from this condition. Here are some of the symptoms you may have if you are suffering from IBS, and what you can do to ease them.
Needing The Restroom Often
Irritable Bowel Syndrome causes a person to need a bathroom more often than someone without the condition. They may be plagued with constant diarrhea, constipation, or a mixture of both. After eating, someone with IBS would need to run to the bathroom pretty quickly to eliminate. They often will feel as if there is still more waste to be disposed of even after they have already eliminated a substantial amount.
Discomfort And Pain Is Prevalent
When someone suffers from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, they will feel as if they have a stomach ache or they may feel bloated after eating a meal. Often this pain is paired with cramping and gas. Heartburn is also a symptom of IBS. Pain is sometimes felt in the lower left or right side of the abdomen or in the lower back. This is often relieved after elimination.
There Are Ways To Help
If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms regularly, you will want to find a gastroenterologist in your area to give you a complete evaluation. Take time to monitor your symptoms and write them down to bring with you to an appointment so your doctor will better know your elimination and pain patterns. Irritable Bowel Syndrome can only be diagnosed after ruling out other gastrointestinal ailments, as IBS does not have conclusive testing methods that will give you a positive or negative result. When other conditions are ruled out, IBS would be suspected and treatment would begin.
There are medications your doctor would give you to help with the pain and frequency of elimination associated with IBS. It is recommended to reduce stress as this can contribute to the intensity of the condition. You will need to keep a list of foods that trigger IBS symptoms and eliminate them from your diet. Eating at the same time every day will help keep your bowels on a schedule, making it easier to control your bathroom visits.
Click this link to find a gastroenterologist or do an online search.
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