Irritable Bowel Syndrome Specialist

What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

IBS is a common gastrointestinal disorder that causes a group of uncomfortable symptoms. There are different types of IBS, identified by how the condition affects your bowel movements, including IBS with diarrhea, IBS with constipation, and IBS with mixed bowel movements. 

In addition to causing abnormal bowel movements, IBS can lead to other painful and disruptive symptoms, including abdominal pain and bloating, excessive gas, and mucus in your stool. 

What causes IBS?

Medical researchers haven’t identified a specific cause of IBS. However, there are several known contributing factors, including dysmotility, visceral hypersensitivity, and brain-gut dysfunction. 

Dysmotility is the clinical term for problems with the muscles of your gastrointestinal tract. Visceral hypersensitivity means that your gastrointestinal nerves are extra sensitive. Brain-gut dysfunction occurs when the nerve signals between your brain and intestines are disrupted or abnormal. 

How is IBS diagnosed?

The Ulster Gastroenterology team provides thorough consultations, exams, and testing to diagnose and evaluate IBS. They begin by reviewing your symptoms, diet, lifestyle, and medical history. 

Your provider may order lab tests, including blood and stool samples and X-rays, to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms. 

Depending on your symptoms and history, your provider might recommend a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to examine the insides of your intestines.

How is IBS treated?

After diagnosing and evaluating your condition, your provider creates a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and restore your gut health. They often combine lifestyle changes with medicine. 

For example, your provider might recommend increasing the amount of fiber in your diet, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding caffeine, dairy products, and other foods that trigger your symptoms. Adding probiotics to your diet may also relieve your symptoms. 

You might also benefit from getting regular exercise, practicing relaxation techniques, and eating smaller, more frequent meals. 

Your provider may prescribe medicines to help with diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. If your symptoms affect your mental health, you might also benefit from an antidepressant. 

Call Ulster Gastroenterology today or make an appointment online if you have IBS symptoms and want expert medical treatments to restore your health and well-being.

What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

IBS is a common gastrointestinal disorder that causes a group of uncomfortable symptoms. There are different types of IBS, identified by how the condition affects your bowel movements, including IBS with diarrhea, IBS with constipation, and IBS with mixed bowel movements. 

In addition to causing abnormal bowel movements, IBS can lead to other painful and disruptive symptoms, including abdominal pain and bloating, excessive gas, and mucus in your stool. 

What causes IBS?

Medical researchers haven’t identified a specific cause of IBS. However, there are several known contributing factors, including dysmotility, visceral hypersensitivity, and brain-gut dysfunction. 

Dysmotility is the clinical term for problems with the muscles of your gastrointestinal tract. Visceral hypersensitivity means that your gastrointestinal nerves are extra sensitive. Brain-gut dysfunction occurs when the nerve signals between your brain and intestines are disrupted or abnormal. 

How is IBS diagnosed?

The Ulster Gastroenterology team provides thorough consultations, exams, and testing to diagnose and evaluate IBS. They begin by reviewing your symptoms, diet, lifestyle, and medical history. 

Your provider may order lab tests, including blood and stool samples and X-rays, to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms. 

Depending on your symptoms and history, your provider might recommend a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to examine the insides of your intestines.

How is IBS treated?

After diagnosing and evaluating your condition, your provider creates a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and restore your gut health. They often combine lifestyle changes with medicine. 

For example, your provider might recommend increasing the amount of fiber in your diet, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding caffeine, dairy products, and other foods that trigger your symptoms. Adding probiotics to your diet may also relieve your symptoms. 

You might also benefit from getting regular exercise, practicing relaxation techniques, and eating smaller, more frequent meals. 

Your provider may prescribe medicines to help with diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. If your symptoms affect your mental health, you might also benefit from an antidepressant. 

Call Ulster Gastroenterology today or make an appointment online if you have IBS symptoms and want expert medical treatments to restore your health and well-being.