The latest health fad on the social media platform TikTok is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leading to “self-diagnosis” among millions of TikTok users. Affecting about one in 20 people in the United States, IBS manifests in the gastrointestinal tract — the stomach and intestines — and is more prevalent among women than men. Symptoms can include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Changes in appearance and frequency of bowel movements
- Constipation
- Cramping
- Diarrhea
- Gas
If you’re experiencing these symptoms consistently for more than three months or if you have a sudden, extreme change in your symptoms (i.e., acute abdominal pain or severe and sudden diarrhea), it’s time to see a gastroenterologist —a doctor specializing in conditions of the bowels, liver and pancreas.
“The successful treatment of IBS improves greatly when patients have a good understanding of what causes IBS and the different treatment options available, so ask your doctor lots of questions,” shares Dr. Douglas Nguyen, a gastroenterologist at Providence Mission Hospital. “This will help your physician to understand what’s most important to you.”
Did you know that other factors, besides food, can trigger IBS? Other triggers include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Lack of Sleep
- Quality of Life
- Stress
“With a plethora of information readily accessible, self-diagnosing after experiencing a few of these symptoms may seem harmless,” says Thomas Nguyen, MD, gastroenterologist at Providence St. Mary Medical Center. “However, without seeing an expert, patients could exacerbate their condition or may unknowingly delay treatment for a much more serious chronic disease.” Other conditions with symptoms like IBS include inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, celiac disease, and diverticulitis, among others, so getting a proper diagnosis is important.
While there isn’t a diagnostic test for IBS, there are a specific set of standards that need to be met for diagnosis. Your doctor will perform a physical exam to assess your symptoms and may order additional tests to rule out other more serious conditions, such as a stool sample, colonoscopy or even a lactose intolerance test.
There are lifestyle changes like diet modifications, exercise and getting sufficient sleep that can help, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Find a gastroenterologist near you to discover lasting relief for IBS.
