Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition that causes pain or discomfort in the stomach area. Those with IBS often experience stomach pain, sometimes along with constipation or diarrhea. Other symptoms can include bloating, mucus in the stool, or a feeling that the bowel has not completely emptied.

Doctors aren’t sure what directly causes IBS. But some believe it is related to stress, anxiety, or problems with the way the brain communicates with the digestive tract. Some people find relief through changing their diets. For example, research shows that soluble fiber can help relieve irritable bowel syndrome.

Your doctor may recommend trying a special diet called the low FODMAP diet to reduce or avoid certain foods that contain carbohydrates that are hard to digest. You also may be referred to a dietitian to find more specific changes that work for you.

UAB GI program

UAB Medicine is known worldwide as a leading center for digestive and liver disorders. Our gastroenterology and gastrointestinal (GI) program is consistently ranked among the top programs of its kind in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. We see more than 20,000 patients and perform more than 12,000 outpatient procedures each year.

Our GI program is also historically significant. The inventor of the endoscope, Basil Hirschowitz, M.D., founded our program more than 50 years ago. His innovation revolutionized GI and other diagnoses around the world. Our interventional endoscopy group, which includes endoscopic ultrasound, is one of the busiest and most prestigious in the country – both clinically and academically.

UAB continues to lead advancements in gastroenterology by participating in many research trials of promising drug therapies and other treatments for digestive disorders. Our doctors and scientists are searching for causes and cures for many GI illnesses through basic research. For example, they study how the bacteria in our intestines affect our health.

Care Providers

Amanda Cartee, MD Gastroenterology Anam Hameed, MD Gastroenterology Fayez Sarkis, MD Gastroenterology Frederick Weber, Jr., MD Gastroenterology Derek Estes Gastroenterology, Hepatology Anam Hameed Gastroenterology Patricia Ajayi-Fox Gastroenterology Amia Bolin, CRNP Gastroenterology Emma O'Neal, CRNP Gastroenterology Mallory Rush, CRNP Gastroenterology Richard Ketcham, CRNP Gastroenterology Amanda Cartee Gastroenterology

Resources

• UAB Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
• NIH – Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• NIH – Ulcerative Colitis

Related Specialties

• Common Gastroenterology Conditions