Stomach aches can wreak havoc on the entire day. Now, imagine having stomach aches and issues every day. This is what it is like to live with IBS, but our experienced gastro doctors may lead you to a life without IBS.

IBS Symptoms:

IBS really stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBS may seem to come and go as it does not always regularly effect patients. Although signs and symptoms may vary greatly, they are usually present for a while once they do flare up.

The most common symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include the following:

  • changes in appearance of bowel movement
  • changes in frequency of having bowel movements
  • abdominal pain
  • cramping
  • bloating that is related to passing a bowel movement

It is important to see a doctor when a patient experiences persistent changes in bowel movements. This situation may indicate a more serious condition. For example, it may be a sign of colon cancer.

At our Orlando gastroenterologist office, we do discuss colon cancer with patients. Mention your concerns when making an appointment to be seen by our doctors. Other more serious signs and symptoms include the following:

  • unexplained vomiting
  • difficulty swallowing
  • iron deficiency anemia
  • rectal bleeding
  • weight loss
  • diarrhea at night

IBS Abdominal pain:

Keep in mind that these symptoms may pop up occasionally which is not considered IBS. However, if these symptoms stay for a while every time they flare up, this is considered IBS. Signs and symptoms are chronic in order to be treated at IBS signs and symptoms.

Patients who have IBS often describe abdominal pain as spasms, cramping, dull aching, and just overall general stomach discomfort. The pain may be mild, moderate, or severe. For some individuals, the irritable bowel syndrome pain is relieved when they have a bowel movement.

On the other hand, some patients report the pain persisting after passing a bowel movement. Not everyone feels relief after passing a bowel movement. Abdominal pain may increase or worsen after eating.

Just like any other health issue, stress can increase symptoms. Your mood really does affect the way your bodily functions. When you are stressed, your IBS abdominal pain can truly increase.

Change in bowel movements:

Diarrhea occurs when a person has loose or watery stools. This is a sign something is not right or that the food that was consumed was not tolerated well. With IBS, people often experience diarrhea along with abdominal cramping.

Along with the cramping, it may come with feelings of urgency. In some instances, the urgency is so intense it may leave a person fearful of having accidents. Many people do have accidents.

If you have had accidents, mention them to your doctor during your next visit. Accidents may not have been discussed before, and if you do not have an appointment booked, call our office to make one today.

Bowel movements may occur three or more times in a single day. If diarrhea is the primary problem, the diagnosis will be diarrhea-predominant IBS. It is called IBS-D for short.

Come back next time as we share more valuable information about irritable bowel syndrome. Call our office today if you have not had medical attention yet regarding changes in bowel movements or any other issues mentioned in today’s blog.

The Juneteenth holiday:

Many Americans know the history of the fourth of July. But do you know the meaning behind Juneteenth? This holiday recognizes June 19, 1865 as the day many enslaved people in Texas learned they had been freed! They should had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln two years earlier, but it could not have been enforced in some places until the Civil War ended in April 1865.

Two months after Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered, Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger and his troops arrived in Galveston with news that the war had ended. This meant the enslaved people were now finally free. Juneteenth is a play on the words June and nineteenth.

President Joe Biden sign into law Thursday a bill officially making Juneteenth a federal holiday. It is the first new federal holiday since 1983 which is monumental.