If you have loose, watery bowel movements three times per day or more, you are experiencing diarrhea. With diarrhea your stool is runny and you find yourself frequently in need of a bathroom. Diarrhea is most commonly acute, and lasts no more than a few days. If diarrhea is prolonged, and lasts more than two days, then you just might have Irritable Bowel Syndrome .

Do you go for days without a bowel movement? Is your bathroom becoming the most familiar room in your house? If you have constipation, you could spend hours just sitting in that room, often with little or no results.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which is also called IBS, is a painful disorder that affects millions of people.  For some, the symptoms such as cramping, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and gas are simply an annoyance while for others, IBS is debilitating.  If you suspect you may be dealing with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the most important thing you need to do is find a doctor who understands this condition and who will work closely with you for the proper treatment.

Today, one of the most common problems doctors see associated with the gastrointestinal system is called Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS.  Typically, a person with this health problem will experience a wide range of problems such as cramping, excessive gas, diarrhea or constipation, bloating, and pain.  While IBS was at one time thought to be a psychological problem, medical researchers now understand this is a very real and painful disorder that can cause complete debilitation.

If you’ve read about the symptoms and think you may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome , it may be time to see your doctor for a diagnosis. He or she may refer you to a gastroenterologist, a digestive track doctor, who can ask more directed questions and perform more tests. These specialists know what they are doing – 28% of the patients they see have IBS.

With the discomfort associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, millions of people are seeking easy IBS relief. But because the cause of Irritable Bowl Syndrome is unknown, there is unfortunately no known cure. Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome focuses on controlling the symptoms with a combination of medication and lifestyle adjustments, including diet and stress-management. Often, these lifestyle changes can provide relief from IBS symptoms. But in more severe cases, these changes can be supplemented with medication. Luckily, bowel surgery is not in the picture.