Skip to main content
Call Us Request Appointment

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Specialist

Ishwari Prasad, MD, PhD, PA Our Services Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Ishwari Prasad, MD, PhD, PA

Gastroenterologist located in Tampa, FL & Brandon, FL

If abdominal cramping, bloating, and gas are part of your everyday routine, it could be because of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Ishwari Prasad, MD, Phd, PA, offers IBS treatment to alleviate unpleasant symptoms and improve your quality of life. To learn more about IBS treatment, schedule an appointment with Ishwari Prasad, MD, PhD, PA in Tampa or Brandon, Florida, by phone or online today.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Q&A

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome, commonly called IBS, is a condition that affects your large intestine and can cause bloating, abdominal pain, and gas when left untreated. It’s a chronic (ongoing) problem that you must manage long-term to keep symptoms at bay.

What are the symptoms of IBS?

Symptoms you could experience because of IBS include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Changes in bowel movements
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Mucus in your stool 

The symptoms you encounter may be mild or severe and sometimes crippling. They can even lead to anxiety and depression when left untreated. 

What are the risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome?

Anyone can develop irritable bowel syndrome, but things that increase your risk of having it include:

  • Being a woman
  • Being under age 50
  • Family history of IBS
  • Mental health challenges
  • Irregular intestinal muscle contractions
  • Nervous system irregularities
  • Early life stress
  • Ongoing stress
  • Severe infections
  • Changes in your gut microbiome

Some foods may trigger IBS symptoms more than others. Examples include dairy foods, wheat, citrus fruits, cabbage, beans, carbonated drinks, and milk. 

How does my doctor diagnose IBS?

To find out if you have IBS and how to treat it, Dr. Prasad reviews your medical history and your symptoms. He checks your vital signs, completes a physical exam, and may suggest specific diagnostic tests to detect or rule out additional problems. Examples include CT scans, X-rays, a colonoscopy, an upper endoscopy, stool tests, or breath tests.

How is irritable bowel syndrome treated?

The main treatments for IBS are dietary changes, dietary supplements, and IBS medications to minimize unpleasant symptoms and your risk of complications. 

There are also some lifestyle changes that may help you better manage IBS, including eating at regular meal times, experimenting with fiber, avoiding foods that trigger uncomfortable symptoms, drinking a lot of water, keeping stress levels low, having regular exercise, and getting plenty of sleep. 

Dr. Prasad personalizes each treatment based on your unique needs and lifestyle. He can also make changes to your treatment plan, if necessary.

To learn more about IBS treatment, schedule an appointment with Ishwari Prasad, MD, PhD, PA in Tampa or Brandon, Florida, by phone or online today.