Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) North Carolina

North Carolina residents who need IBS screenings or treatments can rely on Carolina Digestive Health Associates. We provide a full range of gastrointestinal health services, screenings, and procedures at our eight private offices, five endoscopy clinics, and in every major hospital in the Charlotte, NC area. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects about 15% of the population. This is a complex and unpredictable condition that often entails different symptoms for each person who experiences Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in North Carolina.

What Is IBS?

IBS is a long-term or chronic medical condition that can have variable symptoms. Some patients with IBS experience very mild, persistent symptoms while others suffer acute but infrequent symptoms. IBS symptoms may also change over time. It is also a difficult condition to diagnose; IBS can involve poor intestinal function with no visible signs of structural weakness or damage. Tests may be normal, and the patient’s intestine may appear perfectly functional, but the patient still experiences poor digestive performance from IBS.

Although difficult to diagnose, IBS does not cause any physical damage to the colorectal system and does not increase an individual’s risk of developing colorectal cancers. Some individuals with IBS also experience sporadic symptoms that may fade significantly or entirely for long periods, only for them to reappear at unpredictable intervals.

Common Symptoms and Causes of IBS

Patients report a wide variety of IBS symptoms. Some of the most common include abdominal cramping, feelings of fullness or bloating, and changes in bowel habits. For example, a patient may begin experiencing diarrhea for several days followed by several days of constipation, and this pattern may alternate for quite some time regardless of dietary changes. Fever, low red blood cell levels, rectal bleeding, and unexplained weight loss are a few other common symptoms.

The causes of IBS are nebulous as many patients who report IBS symptoms appear to maintain healthy dietary habits and lifestyles. While determining the exact cause of IBS remains difficult, medical research has identified multiple risk factors that could increase a person’s likelihood of developing this condition. For example, IBS is almost twice as common among women than men. Environmental factors, oversensitive intestines, and food sensitivities may also cause IBS. IBS is not a psychological condition, but the symptoms of some psychological conditions like anxiety or depression and episodes of acute stress may cause an onset of IBS symptoms or worsen symptoms.

IBS Diagnosis and Treatments

There is no single method to positively diagnose IBS. Physicians generally refer to a patient’s symptom history and consider two main factors: the frequency of the patient’s symptoms and whether the patient experiences any relief from those symptoms after a bowel movement or passing gas. Most of the available treatments for IBS include lifestyle and dietary changes, but some patients may require more extensive treatment.

• Regular exercise can promote healthy gut function and reduce IBS symptoms.
• Stress reduction and improved sleeping habits can also help alleviate IBS symptoms.
• Doctors may recommend physical therapy or biofeedback screenings to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
• Pain management and relaxation techniques can also help manage IBS symptoms.
• Dietary changes in combination with supplements and probiotics can help address dietary issues that may be contributing to a patient’s IBS discomfort.
• Anti-spasmodic medications may help control IBS symptoms.

In most cases of mild to moderate IBS, doctors can help their patients develop dietary and lifestyle plans designed to minimize IBS discomfort. Patients who do not experience relief from these changes or who experience consistently severe symptoms may require more extensive treatments, counseling, or medication.

When to See a Doctor About IBS

If you have experienced any of the aforementioned symptoms of IBS, seeing your doctor can not only help you develop a workable treatment plan but also check for signs of a more serious bowel condition. The gastrointestinal doctors of Carolina Digestive Health Associates are available to provide a full range of counseling, treatment, and screening procedures for IBS. North Carolina residents can call us during normal business hours at (704) 324-8776 to schedule an appointment.

Carolina Digestive Health Associates

Carolina Digestive Health Associates is a group of gastroenterologists serving the residents of North Carolina. We have fourteen highly rated GI doctors who provide service at eight offices and five endoscopy centers. Our doctors work in all major hospitals in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Our physicians, together with our highly trained physician assistants and nurse practitioners, cover a wide range of specialties and are skilled in diagnosis and treatment. Whether you have chronic problems with your digestive tract, a recent, acute attack or simply want a checkup, our team is here in North Carolina to help you reach your healthcare goals.

What We Do

Our team of gastroenterologists in North Carolina is trained to diagnose gastric conditions involving the esophagus, the stomach, the liver, the colon and the rectum. Once we make a diagnosis, we can form a treatment plan tailored to the specific patient and their needs. Some of the common conditions we treat include:

• Constipation
• Bloating and gas
• Celiac disease
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Colorectal cancer
• Diarrhea
• Esophageal cancer
• Fatty liver
• Gallstone
• Gastritis
• GERD
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Lactose intolerance
• Obesity
• Ulcers

Our team has experience diagnosing and treating these conditions and many more. North Carolina residents in the Charlotte area have come to trust our expertise and our friendly customer service.

Procedures

Our specialists cover a wide variety of fields within gastroenterology and can perform an array of procedures once they have made a diagnosis. Some of the more common procedures are:

• Rectal manometry. This test determines if the rectum is functioning properly and helps to diagnose fecal incontinence and chronic constipation.
• Breath test. A GI doctor can diagnose certain digestive conditions by measuring the gases which a patient exhales.
• Colonoscopy. By means of a camera inserted into the body, doctors can view the intestine and look for polyps, ulcers, bleeding, inflammation and even cancer.
• Polypectomy. If doctors discover polyps during an endoscopy, they will use this procedure to remove them.
• Upper endoscopy. Similar to a colonoscopy, this procedure views the esophagus, stomach and upper duodenum for inflammation, ulcers and abnormal growths.
• Esophageal manometry. This test is to determine the strength of the muscles that you use to swallow, which can affect conditions like heartburn.
• Feeding tubes. A GI doctor can insert a feeding tube when necessary if a patient is not able to feed him or herself.
• ORBERA Gastric Balloon. The FDA has approved our non-surgical program to help patients lose weight and form healthy habits to maintain a stable, healthy weight in the long term.

Research

At Carolina Digestive Health Associates in North Carolina, we participate in many clinical research trials. Medicine is a field that constantly advances, and we encourage and participate in this process to discover new and better ways to diagnose and treat digestive disorders. Sometimes, these trials provide treatment options to our patients in North Carolina that they would not be able to get anywhere else.

When Should You Come to See Us?

Persistent or severe symptoms are reasons to schedule a consultation with us in North Carolina. We also recommend regular screenings starting at age 45 for colon cancer. You may need to see a general practitioner first to get a referral. Come see us if you experience any of the following:

• Constipation. Fewer than three bowel movements a week means constipation. If it persists, contact us.
• Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem, but if it doesn't go away it could be a sign of something more serious.
• Heartburn. A burning your stomach and chest could be your stomach acid inflaming the lining of your esophagus.
• Stomach pain. Severe stomach pain could mean you have a gallstone. More persistent, burning pain could be an ulcer.
• Bloating. If you bloat after a meal, your body might be reacting to something you ate. A gastroenterologist can diagnose the cause.
• Hemorrhoids. If the veins in your rectum are swollen or feel irritated, you may have hemorrhoids, which a GI doctor can treat.
• Blood in your stool. If your stool is black and tarry, or if there is red in the water after a bowel movement, you may have a severe problem that requires immediate attention.

For any of the above symptoms or a cancer screening in North Carolina, contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates for a consultation. Call us at (704) 324-8776 and let one of our highly skilled gastroenterologists assist you.