If you have been diagnosed with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), you know too well how it can be equal parts frustrating and stressful. It doesn’t help that stress can make IBS symptoms worse and talking about your gut issues can be a taboo topic of conversation for many.
This bring us to the next question: how can you get rid of IBS? And can you, really?
Is This IBS or Just Another Upset Stomach?
First off, IBS is a collective label to diagnose a host of different digestive symptoms.
While IBS symptoms vary from one person to another, the four major symptoms that tend to stand out among sufferers are:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating and gas
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
Take note that you don’t need to experience these symptoms daily or put up with all four consistently. For some patients, it could be simply a combination of constipation and diarrhea, or worse as heavy bloating and the constant urge to visit the washroom even if you’ve just been there half an hour ago.
The usual upset stomach may present with the same symptoms, but the chances are high that you are suffering from IBS when you’ve been battling these symptoms for three to six months. If you notice this type of pattern, it’s time to see a doctor.
Why Me?
You’re not alone in having IBS.
With around 25 to 45 million people in the United States estimated to have IBS, it can affect people of all ages. However it’s also more prevalent in women, comprising two-thirds of reported sufferers, and symptoms can start to exacerbate by the time you hit your 30s. This is around the same time when you’re likely to experience a lot of lifestyle shifts such as marriage, having children, or changing jobs.
It has also been shown that people diagnosed with IBS are:
- most likely to suffer from another form of functional disorder (examples include- Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic back pain, chronic pelvic pain, chronic headache, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction) and
- more likely to have had surgery (such as cholecystectomy, appendectomy, or hysterectomy).
The lack of one true root cause in IBS makes it more difficult to treat. For possible causes of IBS, gut microbiome (bacterial) imbalance is a possible culprit. Dr. Hauser talks briefly about gut microbiome in this short video: Click on this Link
How Hauser Health Can Help You Get Rid of IBS
At Hauser Health, patients come to us with symptoms of IBS. Most of them have already seen and have been evaluated by a primary care physician or gastrointestinal specialist.
Often times, they are either disappointed or frustrated because they’re still experiencing IBS symptoms. Plus, prescribed treatments (like a proton pump inhibitor) seem to worsen the problem.
The problem with this conventional approach is that doctors are only addressing the symptoms but are never committed to getting to the heart of the issue.
At Hauser Health, we will work with you in digging into the root cause of your IBS and provide tailored solutions.
It’s worth noting that IBS symptoms tend to show up in different forms and even have various triggers. Apart from stress, other factors that can possibly result to IBS include food allergies and sensitivities, hormonal issues, autoimmune disorders, gut bacteria imbalance, depression, and anxiety.
As a result, there’s no one-size-fits all answer for treatment. It makes sense to work with a doctor or healthcare practitioner who will go the extra mile in helping identify the root cause of your IBS.
If you’ve been dealing with IBS for years and no standard medical interventions have worked permanently, visit us at Hauser Health. Schedule an appointment today!