Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Is your digestive tract irritable? Do you have stomach pain or discomfort at least three times a month for several months? It could be irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), another common digestive condition.
Ten to 15 percent of the U.S. population suffers from irritable bowel syndrome, according to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Signs of IBS can vary widely: You can be constipated or have diarrhea, or have hard, dry stools on one day and loose watery stools on another. Bloating is also a symptom of IBS.
What causes IBS isn’t known, but treatment of symptoms centers largely on diet, such as avoiding common trigger foods (dairy products, alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners and beans, cabbage, and other foods that produce gas), or following a low-fat diet that's also high in fiber.
Friendly bacteria, such as the probiotics found in live yogurt, may also help you feel better. Stress can trigger IBS symptoms, so some people find cognitive-behavioral therapy or low-dose antidepressants to be useful treatments, as well.
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