Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Your pancreas is a gland that sits behind your stomach and produces enzymes that help you digest food. If your pancreas is inflamed, referred to as pancreatitis, then you may experience severe abdominal pain, especially after you eat. At Mirage Health in Chandler and Mesa, Arizona, Rajiv Sharma, MD, and the team can diagnose and treat pancreatitis to reduce your pain and improve digestion. To schedule a consultation, call the office or request one online today.

What is IBS?

Previously referred to as spastic colon or nervous colon, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. IBS may cause severe symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation, that may impair your everyday activities, but it doesn’t damage your digestive system.

While anyone can develop IBS, you may be at greater risk if it runs in your family. It’s also more commonly found in women and people under the age of 50.

What are the types of IBS?

IBS is categorized by type based on how it affects your bowel habits. You may not experience abnormalities in bowel habits every day with IBS.

The types of IBS include:

IBS with constipation (IBS-C)

With IBS-C, your stools may be hard and lumpy more than one-quarter of the time on the days you’re experiencing changes in bowel habits.

IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)

With IBS-D, your stools are loose and watery more than one-quarter of the time on the days you’re experiencing changes in bowel habits.

IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M)

With IBS-M, your stools alternate between hard and lumpy and loose and watery.

Understanding the type of IBS you have may help your specialist at Mirage Health direct your treatment.

How is IBS diagnosed?

Your specialist at Mirage Health conducts a comprehensive examination to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. There’s no single test that can diagnose IBS, and your specialist may recommend various tests to rule out other potential causes. Your examination may include:

• Review of your symptoms and medical history
• Physical exam
• Diagnostic testing, such as a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
• Lab work, such as a lactose tolerance test or stool test

Your specialist may then use either the Rome or Manning criteria to formulate a diagnosis and determine the type of IBS you have.

What are the treatments for IBS?

Treatment for your IBS may depend on your IBS type and the severity of your symptoms. Your specialist works one-on-one with you to develop a treatment plan that helps normalize bowel function and relieve your symptoms to improve your quality of life. Treatment may include:

• Diet modification
• Stress management
• Regular exercise
• Symptom-specific medication, such as alosetron or eluxadoline
• Antidepressant

Your specialist adjusts your treatment plan as needed.

To get the help you need to gain control over your IBS, call Mirage Health or request an appointment online today.