Irritable Bowel Syndrome Specialist

Colorado Gastroenterology

Gastroenterologists located in Denver, CO & Aurora, CO

From belly pain to constipation to diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause a host of symptoms that may affect your everyday life. The experienced team at Colorado Gastroenterology, with offices in Denver and Aurora, specialize in IBS and can provide treatments to help improve your symptoms so you can get back to doing what you love. For an appointment, call the office today.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Q & A

What is IBS?

Previously referred to as spastic colon or nervous colon, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. IBS may cause severe symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation, that may impair your everyday activities, but it doesn’t damage your digestive system.

While anyone can develop IBS, you may be at greater risk if it runs in your family. It’s also more commonly found in women and people under the age of 50.

What are the types of IBS?

IBS is categorized by type based on how it affects your bowel habits. You may not experience abnormalities in bowel habits every day with IBS.

The types of IBS include:

IBS with constipation (IBS-C)

With IBS-C, your stools may be hard and lumpy more than one-quarter of the time on the days you’re experiencing changes in bowel habits.

IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)

With IBS-D, your stools are loose and watery more than one-quarter of the time on the days you’re experiencing changes in bowel habits.

IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M)

With IBS-M, your stools alternate between hard and lumpy and loose and watery.

Understanding the type of IBS you have may help your specialist at Colorado Gastroenterology direct your treatment.

How is IBS diagnosed?

Your specialist at Colorado Gastroenterology conducts a comprehensive examination to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. There’s no single test that can diagnose IBS, and your specialist may recommend various tests to rule out other potential causes. Your examination may include:

Review of your symptoms and medical history
Physical exam
Diagnostic testing, such as colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
Lab work, such as a lactose tolerance test or stool test

Your specialist may then use either the Rome or Manning criteria to formulate a diagnosis and determine the type of IBS you have.

What are the treatments for IBS?

Treatment for your IBS may depend on your IBS type and severity of your symptoms. Your specialist works one-on-one with you to develop a treatment plan that helps normalize bowel function and relieve your symptoms to improve your quality of life. Treatment may include: