Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome services offered in Denton, TX

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 12% of adults, causing difficult symptoms that disrupt their quality of life, often leading to time away from work. At Denton Digestive Institute PLLC, board-certified gastroenterologist Abhinandan Raj, MD, has years of experience helping people with IBS manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Whether you have constipation, diarrhea, or both, integrative IBS treatment can help. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Denton, Texas, or book online today.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Q & A

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

IBS is a chronic disease defined by its symptoms. If you have IBS, you experience bloating, gas, and abdominal pain, together with changes in the frequency and type of stools.

Many people have a hard time understanding how they can have such severe symptoms even though they don't have a physical problem with their intestines. Though research is ongoing, experts believe that IBS develops due to problems such as:

Food sensitivities and allergies
Imbalances in gut bacteria (microbiome)
An earlier intestinal infection
Changes in intestinal muscle movement
Changes in the way your intestines feel pain
Changes in communication between the gut and brain

IBS is also associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

What are the different types of irritable bowel syndrome?

The three types of IBS include:

IBS with constipation (IBS-C)

You have cramping, bloating, gas, and constipation. Many patients find that their abdominal symptoms improve after having a bowel movement.

IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)

Your abdominal symptoms occur with diarrhea, whether you have loose or frequent bowel movements. You may also experience an urgent need to urinate.

IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M)

This type causes symptoms of IBS-C and IBS-D.

How is irritable bowel syndrome treated?

Dr. Raj eases your symptoms and helps keep IBS in remission with treatments such as:

Dietary therapy

Dietary therapy includes eliminating the foods that trigger IBS while also ensuring your diet includes items that stabilize bowel movements, such as high-fiber foods.

Many people improve with a low-FODMAP diet. This special diet reduces carbohydrates containing sugars that are likely to trigger IBS.

Dr. Raj often has you remove all the high-FODMAP foods from your diet. Then you can gradually reintroduce them one at a time and wait to see if it aggravates your IBS. This approach gives you the ability to identify the foods causing your symptoms, allowing you to keep the rest in your diet.

Medications

Your IBS may improve with medications to treat constipation and diarrhea. Dr. Raj may prescribe any of the following:

Anti-spasmodics
Bile acid sequestrants
Pro-secretory medications
Fiber supplements
Anti-diarrheal medications
Laxatives
Stool softeners

IBS is often difficult to control, but with compassionate care and guidance, you can succeed. To learn more, call Denton Digestive Institute PLLC, or book an appointment online today.