Options abound to manage irritable bowel syndrome

Embarrassed by frequent abdominal cramping, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea or constipation? Relax, you are not the only one with those symptoms. The problem could be irritable bowel syndrome, which affects as many as 20 percent of adults in the U.S.

“You don’t have to suffer from abdomen discomfort in silence,” says Dr. Prabhakar Swaroop, a gastroenterologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center. “Your doctor has probably heard what you have to say before.”

Though there is no cure, irritable bowel syndrome can be controlled in a variety of ways, including: eating smaller, more frequent meals; adding fiber to a diet; managing stress; taking medication; and exercising.

“A person doesn’t have to miss another day of work or a social outing because of a manageable condition,” Dr. Swaroop says.

Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/digestive to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in digestive disorders.

Media Contact: LaKisha Ladson

April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month

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