Irritable bowel syndrome (irritable means not functioning smoothly; syndrome means a set of symptoms that occur together) is one of the most common digestive problems in the United States, affecting about 30 million people.
Looking for a Doctor?
Need help finding
a doctor for a loved one? Call St. Luke's Physician Referral at 832-355-DOCS or
fill out our online form.
Click on the links below to find St. Luke's doctors who specialize in those areas.
You can also search for different specialties by using our Find a Doctor search page.
For more information about St. Luke's online physician referral service, click here.
Risk Factors & Prevention No one knows what causes irritable bowel syndrome. However, research indicates that the colon muscle of a person with this disorder is more sensitive than that of most people's and has a stronger response to ordinary events such as eating and distention from gas.
Symptoms & Diagnosis People with irritable bowel syndrome usually have abdominal cramps with painful constipation or diarrhea. Before doctors can diagnose irritable bowel syndrome, they must usually run tests to make sure that a more serious disease is not present.
Treatment Options Treatment for irritable bowel syndrome can involve different things for different people, depending on a person's symptoms and emotional state.
