Seeking Help with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

This month marks IBS Awareness Month, shining a light on a chronic digestive condition that affects 10-20% of U.S. adults yet often goes unspoken. While there’s no cure for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, understanding its types, triggers, and treatment options can make a significant difference in managing its symptoms. Dr. Broderick Rhyant of Eskenazi Health Center Grande breaks down what patients need to know and why there’s no reason to let embarrassment stand in the way of getting help.

Writer: Broderick Rhyant, M.D., chief physician executive with Eskenazi Health Center Grande

August 4, 2026

This month is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month. As researchers have learned more about gut health, they’ve begun to understand more about this chronic digestive condition. IBS Awareness Month was created to spread awareness about IBS and provide support to those dealing with it. While there is no cure for IBS, there are ways to greatly reduce its painful symptoms.

IBS is the digestive disorder doctors are most likely to diagnose according to Yale Medicine. Anywhere from 10-20% of adults in the U.S. have it. Common symptoms are cramping, abdominal pain, gas, bloating and constipation and/or diarrhea. While the condition is not dangerous, it can be difficult to live with. A majority (69%) of those who responded to a recent survey said their symptoms made them feel like they weren’t “normal.” (American Gastroenterological Association and The Harris Poll).

“IBS is the digestive disorder doctors are most likely to diagnose—affecting 10-20% of adults in the U.S., with nearly 7 in 10 saying their symptoms made them feel like they weren’t ‘normal.”

— the Yale Medicine figure and the American Gastroenterological Association/Harris Poll survey result

The following are some useful facts about the disorder:

IBS is diagnosed through symptoms rather than through a single test. Your doctor may recommend testing, however, to rule out other possibilities, such as colonoscopies, stool tests and blood tests. These tests can help determine if you have inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease or another condition with symptoms that are similar to those you experience with IBS.
There are multiple types of IBS. With one type, constipation is common; with the other, diarrhea is. A third type is when someone commonly experiences both. It’s important to know which you have, since which type of IBS you have will determine the best treatment.
Keeping a record can help you and your doctor to find solutions to ease your symptoms. Write down what happened when you had a flare-up. What did you eat? What happened that day? Were you stressed? Did the flare-up interrupt your sleep? Which symptoms did you have? What were your bowel movements like? Based on your answers, your doctor may recommend some lifestyle changes:
- Easing your stress. Stress can worsen symptoms. Since the symptoms are unpleasant, they can also produce more stress. Some patients with IBS have found breathing techniques and other stress-relief methods helpful. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also a common treatment for IBS.
- Improving your gut health. Healthy gut bacteria can lead to fewer or less severe IBS symptoms. Having a good amount and variety of bacteria in your gut promotes digestive health. Some people find probiotics helpful in improving gut health. Discuss with your doctor which ones to try and how long to take them.
- Making changes to your diet. Certain food can cause flare-ups, but it’s not the same food for every person with IBS. A popular elimination diet developed by a university in Australia has helped people pinpoint which foods are triggers. Known as the low-FODMAP diet, this nutrition plan includes multiple stages and can be a bit difficult to follow correctly. Advice from a doctor or nutritionist can help if you’d like to try it.

If changes to your lifestyle practices are not successful, there are medications that can help lessen the severity of IBS symptoms. Consult your doctor about different options.

IBS is uncomfortable for many, and it can be awkward to talk about with friends and family. Don’t let any embarrassment over this very common condition prevent you from getting the help you need. Remember that doctors are used to talking about these issues. For them, this is simply a medical concern they want to help you address. If you need a primary care doctor, please reach out to Eskenazi Health Connections at 317-880-7666.

Broderick Rhyant, M.D., chief physician executive with Eskenazi Health Center Grande

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