What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
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Do you have frequent abdominal pain along with diarrhea or constipation, or both? If so, you may have irritable bowel syndrome and should see a doctor.
Hi, I’m Dr. Griffin Rodgers, bringing you Healthy Moments from the NIH. I’m the Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Irritable bowel syndrome, known as IBS, is estimated to affect up to 20% of the population. Many people suffer from IBS but don’t know that they have it. Symptoms include pain or discomfort in the abdomen and changes in bowel habits. These symptoms may come and go repeatedly.
Seeing a doctor is the first step in treatment. Your doctor may run tests to rule out other conditions. If you have IBS, your doctor may recommend treatments, such as:
- dietary changes or supplements
- medications
- and talk therapy or hypnosis
To learn more, visit our website at NIDDK. This is Dr. Griffin Rodgers. Join me next week for more Healthy Moments.
Page last updated: February 06, 2012
