Irritable Bowel Syndrome

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder characterized by the following symptoms:

• abdominal pain
• cramping
• bloating
• constipation
• diarrhea

IBS can occur at any age, often beginning in the teen years or early adulthood. It affects approximately 10-15 percent of the adult population and is one of the most commonly diagnosed GI disorders in the United States. IBS is twice as common in women as in men and when left untreated, IBS can undermine the quality of one’s life, not only physically, but also psychologically and socially.

What causes IBS?

The specific cause for IBS is unknown, but it appears that any of the following can cause or contribute to the development of the disease:

• dietary changes
• hormonal imbalances
• emotional stress
• prior intestinal infection
• food sensitivities
• allergies

Diagnosing IBS

Diagnosing the condition can be tricky because IBS shares symptoms with a variety of other medical conditions, including Celiac disease, colitis, Crohn’s disease, and some food allergies. Given how frequently the symptoms of IBS overlap with other medical disorders, getting a complete and accurate diagnosis is critical to ensuring that your treatment will be as effective as possible.

How We Can Help

At The Kaplan Center, our physicians have years of experience treating patients with chronic conditions such as IBS, and we reject the notion that “you just have to live with it.”

At your first visit, your Kaplan physician will take the time to explore the onset of your condition, the specific nature of your pain sensations, and the overall status of your health. You’ll also be asked about the medications and therapies you’ve tried in the past, and what has and hasn’t worked for you. To gather additional information about your condition, your Kaplan physician may also order specialized diagnostic laboratory testing.

After reviewing all of the factors contributing to your health situation, your physician will spend time talking with you about your diagnosis and working with you to create a customized and multi-dimensional treatment plan that addresses your symptoms and any possible underlying or co-existing conditions that may be causing or aggravating your IBS.

Although there is no known cure for IBS, there are highly effective options that can help control its symptoms, such as:

• Dietary changes with the help of nutritional counseling
• Medication or herbal supplements
• Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
• Acupuncture
• Practicing stress management strategies, including meditation

Additional Resources:

Research study: Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Severity of IBS in Women The American Journal of Gasteroenterology
Website: International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
Website: CDC: Inflammatory Bowel Disease