York County Medicine Spring 2020 - 13

YO R K C O M E D S O C . O R G

need to urinate, trouble starting the urine stream, or trouble
emptying your bladder.)
Symptoms often occur after a meal, during stressful times, or
during menstruation.
There are many other conditions with symptoms similar to
IBS, so it is important to talk to your provider.
How Is IBS Diagnosed?
Most of the time, doctors can diagnose irritable bowel
syndrome from the symptoms. Your doctor will ask you about
your symptoms and past health and will do a physical exam.
In some cases, you may need other tests, such as stool analysis
or blood tests. These tests can help your doctor rule out other
problems that might be causing your symptoms.
Treatment of IBS
Treatment usually includes making changes in your diet and
lifestyle, such as avoiding foods that trigger your symptoms,
getting regular exercise, and managing your stress.
If diet and lifestyle changes don't help enough on their own,
your doctor may prescribe medicines for symptoms such as pain,
diarrhea, or constipation.
Foods to Avoid with IBS

reacts to certain foods. Different foods can cause abdominal pain,
gas, or digestive problems for people with IBS. Foods to limit
include:
* Lactose from milk and other dairy products, including
cottage cheese, cream cheese, ice cream, and sour cream.
* Fruit that contains sucrose, including apples, pears, and
watermelon.
* Carbonated beverages, including soda and seltzer
* Caffeine, including coffee, tea, and soda
* Artificial sweeteners, including sorbitol, mannitol, isomalt,
maltitol, and zylitol found in sugarless gums.
* Legumes or beans, including baked beans, chickpeas, lentils,
and soybeans
How Can You Prevent IBS?
You can't prevent irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). But proper
self-care may help ease symptoms and extend the time between
episodes. Self-care includes quitting smoking, avoiding caffeine
and foods that make symptoms worse, and getting regular exercise.
Irritable bowel syndrome can be managed with proper care. If
you think you may have irritable bowel syndrome, the providers at
UPMC Specialty Care Gastroenterology are here to help you.

Irritable bowel syndrome can affect how your digestive tract

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SPRING 2020 | York County Medicine

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York County Medicine Spring 2020

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