ACMC gastroenterologist Lee Laney Jr., MD,
can also discuss surgical remedies for digestive
or other intestinal health concerns. Schedule
an appointment by calling
440-998-0322
.
Get answers, get help
“The best place to start is with your
family physician; then seek a referral
to a gastroenterologist who has had
experience treating IBS,” Dr. Laney said.
He or she will ask about your symptoms,
take your medical history and perform a
physical exam. Your doctor also may want
to rule out other bowel problems by using
stool, blood or imaging tests.
To help ease your symptoms, your
doctor may suggest:
Changes to your diet.
Because cer-
tain foods may trigger digestive troubles
in people with IBS, avoiding or limiting
them may help you feel better. For some
people, problem foods include:
➜
Fatty
foods.
➜
Milk products.
➜
Chocolate.
➜
Caffeinated or carbonated drinks.
To pinpoint problem foods, it may help
to keep a journal of the foods you eat and
your symptoms. Share your results with
your doctor.
You may also feel better if you avoid
large meals. You might try eating several
smaller meals throughout the day or
smaller portions.
Medicines.
Some medications may be
used to help treat IBS symptoms. These
can include laxatives for constipation and
drugs to reduce diarrhea or painful colon
spasms.
Better stress control.
Although stress
doesn’t cause IBS, it can make it worse.
Managing stress as best you can may help
prevent or manage symptoms.
“Other treatment options include
stopping smoking and getting more
exercise,” Dr. Laney said. “Movement can
help with digestion, so get up and start
walking or just doing more work around the
house. Take that first step toward easing
your pain.”
Gastroenterologist
Lee Laney Jr., MD
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
Speak up
about your digestive distress
MILLIONS OF AMERICANS
are living
with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
But many of them aren’t talking about it.
They’re just doing their best to deal with
the discomfort—even though they don’t
have to go it alone.
While there is no cure for IBS—a
digestive condition that can cause
abdominal pain, bloating and other
uncomfortable symptoms—treatment and
careful management of the condition can
help many people feel better.
What’s going on inside?
According to ACMC gastroenterologist
Lee Laney Jr., MD, you don’t have to live
with the pain.
“The symptoms can be uncomfortable
and painful,” Dr. Laney said. “They will
keep you from sleeping and make working
difficult. We don’t know the cause, but
there are a variety of treatments.”
IBS disrupts the normal function of
the colon, or large intestine. The resulting
symptoms, which may come and go or
linger a long time, can include:
➜
Abdominal pain or discomfort that
may be relieved by a bowel movement.
➜
Frequent diarrhea or constipation, or
alternating episodes of both.
➜
Bloating.
➜
Mucus-filled stool.
The precise cause of IBS isn’t known.
But people with the disorder may have
a colon that’s overly sensitive to stimuli,
such as certain foods or stress.
10
ACMC Pulse •
