Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders, affecting between 10% and 15% of the world’s population. It’s also responsible for 2.5 million to 3.5 million doctor’s visits each year in the United States. If IBS drives you to seek medical help, it’s best to start with a gastroenterologist, such as those found at Digestive Disorders Associates. The team of experts helps patients in Annapolis, Chester, and Gambrills/Waugh Chapel, Maryland, manage IBS for a better quality of life. To get the best help for your IBS, call or fill out the online form to request an appointment.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects your large intestine. IBS occurs far more frequently in women, who make up 60%-65% of diagnoses, because of the role hormones play when it comes to this condition. Still, IBS can and does, affect men, and usually develops in both sexes at an early age, with most cases coming on well before the age of 50.
IBS strikes people with varying degrees of severity. Some people are able to manage a mild form of IBS on their own, while others endure debilitating symptoms that have a big impact on their lives. Most people fall somewhere in between and experience:
These symptoms can come and go, sometimes disappearing completely for a spell, only to return again, which makes IBS a chronic and nagging condition to deal with. If the symptoms are disrupting your life in significant ways and causing a good deal of discomfort, a trip to Digestive Disorders Associates is in order.
The exact cause of IBS remains elusive, but medical researchers believe it may be tied back to:
There are also several triggers for IBS, which include hormones, stress, and food allergies.
With so many contributing factors, it’s best to see a gastrointestinal specialist to help you pinpoint the factors that cause your flare-ups.
Because there’s no identifiable cause of IBS, your doctor at Digestive Disorders Associates sets about finding your unique risk factors in order to better manage the issue. After a thorough review of your medical history, your nutritional habits, and your lifestyle, your doctor comes up with a treatment plan that’s appropriate for your unique situation. The plan typically includes one or more of the following:
Your doctor tailors a plan to fit your IBS by identifying the triggers that tend to set it off. This may take some time and include elimination diets and lifestyle changes, but the relief you find at the end is well worth the efforts.
To get relief from your IBS, call one of the three Maryland locations or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment.
