Imagine being out on your dream date, everything is perfect... the food, the wine, the lighting, the music and yes, even the company…and then without warning your stomach begins to cramp and you make a mad dash for the closest bathroom, praying you will reach it before the nearly uncontrollable diarrhea hits. Yes, Irritable Bowel Syndrome can certainly interrupt your hot date and incredibly impact your life.

Defined as a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, IBS is thought to impact almost 15-20% of the adults in the United States. Characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and discomfort accompanied by changes in normal bowel function, such as loose or more frequent stools, diarrhea, constipation or often a combination of both, typically occurring over months or years, IBS is most often seen in women with females making up almost 70% of those diagnosed with the disorder.

Gastroenterologists, physicians who specialize in the medical treatment of disorders of the stomach and intestines, most often manage the care of IBS sufferers and IBS is the most common disease diagnosed by this group of doctors. And if that weren't impressive enough, IBS is also one of the most common disorders seen by primary care physicians today.

IBS is thought to be a result from a disturbance in the communication between the gastrointestinal tract, the brain, and the autonomic nervous system, specifically the portion of the nervous system that alters the regulation of bowel motility (motor function) or sensory function.

Regardless of the specific cause, those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome need not have one more hot date ruined by symptoms of this disorder. There are effective treatment options available today that can help to control IBS so that you can enjoy that perfect dinner date!