IBS involves a disturbance in how the gut and brain interact, leading to pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. There is no visible inflammation or damage on routine tests, but symptoms can be very bothersome. IBS is diagnosed based on symptom criteria and by ruling out conditions such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
IBS is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain related to bowel movements, along with changes in stool form or frequency, often with bloating or gas.
Call the office if IBS symptoms interfere with daily life, worsen, or change in pattern, or if you develop alarm features such as blood in stool, unintended weight loss, or nighttime symptoms.
Seek emergency care for severe abdominal pain, high fever, significant rectal bleeding, or symptoms suggesting dehydration or obstruction.
There is no single test for IBS. Diagnosis relies on symptom patterns (Rome criteria), a physical exam, and limited testing to exclude other disorders based on age and warning signs.
Management is individualized and may include diet changes (such as low-FODMAP), stress reduction, medications targeting pain or bowel habits, and sometimes behavioral therapies.
If your insurance requires a referral or prior authorization, our billing office will make every effort to obtain it before services are rendered. If you choose to proceed without required authorization, insurance may deny coverage. If you are a Medicare patient, you may be asked to sign an Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) acknowledging financial responsibility if insurance does not pay. If you are enrolled in a commercial insurance plan you will be asked to sign a non-covered services form.