If you're a resident of Houston and you have ever wondered, "What does irritable bowel syndrome feel like?", or looked up signs of early onset of irritable bowel syndrome, you are in the right place. At Gastrodoxs, we understand how confusing digestive issues can be. Dr. Bharat Pothuri, our Houston gastroenterologist, provides expert tips to help you recognize common symptoms at an early stage and recognize when it's time to go for medical advice.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): a common condition of the large intestine. It may cause pain, altered bowel patterns, and altered stool. While IBS does not cause serious disease, it can decrease your quality of life if it is not controlled.
IBS is a functional disease, explains Dr. Bharat Pothuri. This means you can't see something wrong with your gut when you have a scope in there, but it overreacts to common triggers like food or stress.
For more on the causes and treatments of IBS, the National Institutes of Health has you covered.
What Is the Difference between IBS and Other Ways Your Digestive System Can Fault Understanding the difference between IBS and other digestive anomalies can be helpful, whereby you are properly cared for. Here's an easy table to compare IBS to some common conditions:
| Feature | IBS | IBD (Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis) | Celiac Disease | Lactose Intolerance |
| Inflammation | None | Yes (visible inflammation in GI tract) | Yes (autoimmune damage) | No |
| Blockage of the Bowel Stool | Rare | Common | Rare | No |
| Loss of weight | Uncommon | Often significant | Possible | Rare |
| Food Triggers | Other food (fatty, spicy, dairy) | Other food (high-fiber, dairy, caffeine) | Gluten | Dairy |
| Diagnosis | Symptom-based + rule out other causes | Endoscopy + biopsy | Blood tests + biopsy | Hydrogen breath test |
| Treatment | Diet, stress management, meds | Anti-inflammatory drugs | Gluten-free diet | Lactose-free diet |
This way, you save yourself the unnecessary effort to avoid wrong diagnose and find relief faster.
Below are the IBS symptoms you may not comply on, which should not be ignored.Talk with your doctor if you check more than three boxes for more than three months.
Dr. Pothuri says, "Cramp-like, intermittent abdominal pain associated with bowel movements is one of the earliest warning signs that may indicate irritable bowel syndrome.
If your pants feel tight at night, make a note of when the onset occurs and foods eaten.
It's pretty easy to infer your type by using a stool shape chart.
Stress causes the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract to tense, says Dr. Pothuri. Many of our patients in Houston find it important to learn to manage it.
If IBS is causing you trouble sleeping, it is likely that gut health and sleep are directly related.
However, within the course of a few weeks, this should indicate what is setting off your IBS the most.
If you are experiencing any of these, please make an appointment with your GI professional like Dr. Pothuri at Gastrodoxs:
If simple changes to diet and stress are not successful, AAAF strongly recommends seeking a diagnosis. Mayo Clinic has more on the signs of when medical intervention may be needed for IBS:
Being able to identify the "common symptoms of IBS that you shouldn't overlook" will save you months of discomfort. Remember, Dr. Bharat Pothuri of Gastrodoxs in Houston is here to get you started determining what does irritable bowel syndrome feel like and tackle the underlying causes for relief. Monitor your symptoms, watch for triggers and seek medical help if things get worse.
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Early symptoms include repeated episodes of abdominal pain, altered bowel habits and bloating.
Stress can propagate symptoms, but again does not cause IBS itself. Increased sensitivity of the gut and altered gut motility, also contribute.
Symptoms can come and go. Some people experience these on a daily basis, while others may only have them ever once in a while.
IBS is not life-threatening, but can impact the quality of your life if not treated.
Common triggers include several foods, such as caffeine, gas-producing vegetables, fatty foods, and dairy products. However, each person's triggers may be different.
Yes. Moderate regular exercise can help to alleviate cramping, release stress and encourage bowels to move normally.
Symptomatic criteria are used to diagnose the condition, tests are used to exclude other conditions, and blood or stool studies or imaging studies may be ordered.
Yes. And fiber supplements, antispasmodics, laxatives and anti-diarrheal medications are options, always at the direction of a physician.
It can. Another thing about IBS is that sometimes anxiety and depression occur along with the condition - when coupled with IBD - the brain and gut function within what's called a brain-gut axis.
For reliable, current information, see NIH's information sheet about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or the Mayo Clinic's IBS website page.
