The term IBS gets tossed around a lot. Many people who claim they have IBS have never had a formal diagnosis, and many people have had IBS symptoms for years without seeking a diagnosis. Put simply, many people have a misunderstanding in terms of what IBS is, how it is diagnosed, and how it is managed. Hopefully, this article clears up some of those misconceptions for you.

What Is IBS?

IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome. A syndrome, by definition, is a collection of symptoms. With IBS, these symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.

Three main types of IBS exist. Patients who have IBS-C struggle mostly with constipation and hard stools. Those with IBS-D struggle mostly with diarrhea or loose stools. Those with IBS-M struggle with constipation and diarrhea relatively equally.

IBS does not cause and is not caused by damage to the digestive tract. Rather, it seems to be a disorder of communication between your brain and intestines. Your brain improperly communicates with the muscles in your intestines, causing them to over or under-contract, leading to the symptoms described above.

Why Should You Never Ignore IBS Symptoms?

IBS is more bothersome than dangerous, but that does not mean you should just ignore these symptoms or assume they are due to IBS without undergoing proper testing and diagnosis. Other, more serious digestive ailments can cause similar symptoms to IBS and have serious consequences if left untreated.

Some patients who assume they have IBS may actually suffer from gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. Continuing to eat foods that contain gluten could cause serious and lasting damage to their digestive tract. Other patients may actually have Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, or anxiety.

How Do You Diagnose IBS?

No single test exists that your doctor can use to diagnose IBS. Rather, your gastroenterology specialist will run a series of tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. These tests may include a colonoscopy, CT scans, lactose intolerance tests, and breath tests to detect bacterial overgrowth in the intestines.

Once your specialist rules out all other possible ailments, including Crohn's disease and colon cancer, you'll likely receive a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.

How Common Is IBS?

Researchers estimate that about 12 percent of Americans have IBS. Anyone can develop IBS at any point in their life, but it is most common in women, those under the age of 50, and people with a family history of the syndrome. You have no reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed to talk to your doctor about symptoms you think may indicate IBS. This is a very common ailment, and you are not alone.

How Do You Treat IBS?

Another reason to seek proper diagnosis for your digestive symptoms is so that if you do have IBS, you can treat it effectively. Your doctor can work with you to find an individualized strategy that keeps your symptoms under control. Common treatments and management strategies include:

• Taking fiber supplements to alleviate constipation
• Relying on anti-diarrhea medications during bouts of loose stools
• Taking anticholinergic medications, such as dicyclomine, to relieve intestinal spasms
• Avoiding foods that cause gas, such as raw fruits, carbonated beverages, and cruciferous vegetables

Also, a number of medications are specifically for the management of IBS. Eluxadoline is one example, as it helps relieve muscle contractions in the intestine and improve muscle tone in the rectum.

If you suffer from diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal cramping, do not just assume you have IBS. A more serious condition may be at play, and if you do have IBS, your doctor can prescribe a myriad of treatments to reduce your symptoms and improve your life.

Reach out to the doctors at Kentuckiana Gastroenterology & Paramount Surgery Center for more information or to schedule an appointment.