Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common set of digestive symptoms — such as bloating, diarrhea, or constipation — that may occur due to a variety of causes like food allergens (often lactose and gluten), inflammation, or chronic stress. Millions of Americans have IBS, affecting twice as many women as men. Patients visit our Denver…
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder that affects the digestive system. Signs and symptoms of IBS include cramping, abdominal pain, stool irregularities, bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea or constipation. Living with IBS can be frustrating, and the side effects on your everyday life are significant. I work with patients every day who struggle to…
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Digestive enzymes and probiotics are not the same, but they are both essential to healthy digestion. Probiotics support balance in your gut microbiome, while digestive enzymes break down the food we eat. Inadequate amounts of one or the other can negatively impact your gut health. If you’re not getting enough in your diet, both are…
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive system disorder, characterized by stomach pain and diarrhea or constipation. The cause differs for every patient, and the best treatment depends on the diagnosed cause. How many people in the United States have IBS? According to the International Foundation of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, between 25 and 45…
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The low-FODMAP diet is an evidence-based treatment for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), but it’s not for everyone. This diet restricts the consumption of “FODMAPs,” which are specific types of fermentable short-chain carbohydrates that can resist digestion. “FODMAP” is an acronym for “fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols” which are all types of carbohydrates your gut…
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Living with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may significantly decrease your quality of life and is more prevalent than experts previously believed. SIBO is estimated to impact up to 15% of healthy individuals, often without their awareness of its presence. SIBO may be caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hypothyroidism, or a whole host of…
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be to blame for your back pain, particularly lower back pain during the night. It’s essential to treat the root cause of your back pain, instead of masking the symptoms with pain blockers. Most of our patients with IBS will find relief from their symptoms, including abdominal and back pain…
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According to a systematic review from 2019 and our own clinical practice, probiotics can effectively treat the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with a few caveats: As long as a patient tests negative for SIBO, probiotics are one of my first go-to treatments to address IBS. Probiotics (specific strains of “good bacteria”) repopulate the…
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Advocating for your bowel health rests on your awareness of concerning symptoms and their potential connections to medical issues, such as bowel cancer. Higher frequency and louder bowel sounds, especially when accompanied by bloody stool or pain, may be bowel cancer symptoms. When I have encountered such symptoms in a patient at PrimeHealth, I recommend…
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IBS flare-ups are relatively common, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t treatable and preventable. Irritable bowel syndrome can greatly impact your quality of life, but by gaining a greater understanding of your triggers, you’re one step closer to reducing how often flare-ups happen. At least 12% of adults experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — most…
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