Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Allergy & Immunology & Integrative Immunity located in Edina, MN, Sioux Falls, SD and Bismarck, ND

Irritable Bowel Syndrome services offered in Edina, MN, Sioux Falls, SD and Bismarck, ND

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits that can interfere with your daily life. At Integrative Immunity Health System, PC, in Edina, Minnesota; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Bismarck, North Dakota, allergy and immunology specialist Benoit Tano, MD, takes an integrative approach to IBS, creating plans that focus on you, not your symptoms or disease. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that affects the large intestine, the last section of your GI tract. IBS causes abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits that affect your quality of life.

IBS is a disorder of gut-brain interactions, meaning how your brain and gut communicate. For example, this miscommunication can make your gut more sensitive to pain or change the muscle contractions in the bowel, causing diarrhea or constipation.

What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?

IBS symptoms vary in type and severity. Common symptoms of IBS include:

Stomach pain
Bloating and cramping
Gas
Changes in bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea, or both)
Changes in bowel frequency
Mucus in stool

If you have IBS symptoms along with unexplained weight loss or bloody stools, then you could have a more severe condition like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or colon cancer. In this case, you need to see a GI specialist for an evaluation.

What can I expect during an irritable bowel syndrome consultation?

You can expect a patient-centered exam when you visit Integrative Immunity Health System, PC, for an IBS consultation. Dr. Tano looks for the root cause of your IBS symptoms so he can create a plan that reduces the frequency and severity of your flare-ups.

No single test can diagnose IBS. Dr. Tano starts with a physical exam, complete medical history, and various diagnostic tests to rule out other conditions that might be responsible for your symptoms.

After ruling out other health conditions, Dr. Tano uses the Rome diagnostic criteria, a symptom-based guide with set parameters to diagnose IBS. For an IBS diagnosis, you must have two or more of the following at least once a week for three or months:

Pain and discomfort related to defecation
Changes in bowel habits
Changes in stool consistency

Based on your bowel habit changes, Dr. Tano further classifies your IBS into a type, such as IBS with constipation, IBS with diarrhea, or IBS with mixed bowel habits (combination of diarrhea and constipation).

What are the treatments for irritable bowel syndrome?

There are no cures for IBS. However, Dr. Tano creates personalized plans focusing on the root cause of your IBS symptoms and your health needs and goals. His treatment plans for IBS include dietary changes, prescription medication, and/or lifestyle changes.

If you’re frustrated by your IBS symptoms and searching for an effective treatment plan, Dr. Tano can help. Call the nearest Integrative Immunity Health System, PC, office, or schedule an appointment online today.