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.
“With a plethora of information a finger touch away, self-diagnosing after experiencing a few of these symptoms may seem harmless,” says Dr. James Michail, a board-certified family medicine physician at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center. “However, without seeing an expert, patients may be exacerbating 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.
Did you know that other factors, besides food, can trigger IBS? Other triggers include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Lack of Sleep
- Quality of Life
- Stress
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.
