| "Will adding fiber to my diet bring relief? Are dairy products really off limits? Is there a way to actually diagnose what I have, or is it all in my head?" " Those are just some of the many questions asked by people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, an often painful disorder of the lower intestine that causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea." " While IBS is a common disorder affecting 10 to 15 percent of the U.S. population it's also one of the most misunderstood among patients and physicians alike, says William D. Chey, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the University of Michigan Health System." " "There are a wide spectrum of symptoms that IBS patients can experience, which can make it challenging to diagnose," says Chey, director of the Gastrointestinal Physiology Laboratory in the U-M Division of Gastroenterology. "While we know diet does play a role in symptoms for many patients with IBS, those trigger foods often vary from person to person."" " To help people with IBS gain a better understanding of the condition and how it's diagnosed, as well as what foods may trigger symptoms, and the over the counter and prescription treatments available, Chey offers these seven tips to help separate IBS fact from fiction." " For many years, physicians believed IBS was a psychological condition it only existed in the patient's head. While some patients with IBS experience depression or anxiety, it is likely that psychological distress or stress worsen IBS, but may not be the primary cause of it." " Although IBS does tend to occur more frequently in women, Chey says, "it's important that people know that there are many men diagnosed with IBS, and it also affects the elderly. In fact, there's some early evidence to suggest that IBS affects 8 to 10 percent of older individuals."" " "Many physicians believe that IBS is not an important condition because it does not affect a person's lifespan," says Chey. While that may be the case, IBS can significantly impact a person's quality of life and ability to function on a day-to-day basis, and should be taken seriously by doctors and patients alike." " About a quarter of patients with IBS are also lactose intolerant. However, Chey notes that about a quarter of the general population who don't have IBS are lactose intolerant as well. So, he says, while lactose intolerance may play a role in some patients, it is not the cause of symptoms in the vast majority of patients with IBS." " "A lot of patients with IBS end up on these very bland diets, and I think most of the time it is not justified,"
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