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Patient Education

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Thoughtful, personalized care to calm your digestion and help you understand what your symptoms are really telling you.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common, chronic condition that disrupts how your gut and brain communicate, causing abdominal discomfort along with changes in your bowel habits. As your Direct Primary Care physician in Los Angeles, Dr. Golian takes the time to understand your symptoms, rule out other concerns, and build a calm, practical plan that may include dietary and lifestyle adjustments, stress reduction, and coordination with gastroenterology when needed.

Symptoms & Warning Signs

  • Abdominal pain or cramping, often relieved by a bowel movement
  • Bloating and a feeling of fullness or gassiness
  • Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between the two
  • Mucus in the stool or a sense of incomplete emptying
  • Symptoms that flare with certain foods, stress, or hormonal changes
  • Warning signs that need prompt evaluation: unintended weight loss, rectal bleeding, anemia, or symptoms that wake you at night

Causes & Risk Factors

  • A sensitive, overactive gut-brain connection that heightens digestive signals
  • Stress, anxiety, or depression, which can amplify symptoms
  • Certain trigger foods, including some high-FODMAP carbohydrates
  • A prior gut infection or disruption of the gut microbiome
  • Family history of IBS or other functional digestive conditions
  • Being under 50 and female, as IBS is diagnosed more often in younger women

How Dr. Golian Manages Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Dr. Golian begins by listening carefully to your history and reviewing your symptom pattern, then ordering targeted testing only when it's needed to exclude conditions that can mimic IBS, such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or thyroid imbalance. Because the gut and mind are closely linked, she may also screen for anxiety and consider whether overlapping reflux from GERD is contributing to your discomfort.

Your plan is built around you and may include a structured diet and lifestyle program, fiber and symptom-targeted strategies, stress management, and, when appropriate, medication. If your symptoms are severe, persistent, or carry warning signs, Dr. Golian arranges gastroenterology referral and coordination.

Living Well With IBS

Many people gain real control over IBS once they identify their triggers and find a daily rhythm that supports digestion. Regular meals, hydration, movement, quality sleep, and steady stress care all help calm a sensitive gut.

Dr. Golian's membership model means you have unhurried time to fine-tune your plan over the months it sometimes takes to feel your best, with easy access whenever symptoms shift.

Frequently Asked Questions

1Is IBS dangerous or does it lead to cancer?
IBS is a real but non-damaging condition that does not cause permanent harm to your intestines or raise your risk of colon cancer. That said, Dr. Golian will make sure your symptoms aren't being caused by something else before settling on an IBS diagnosis.
2How is IBS diagnosed?
IBS is diagnosed mainly from your symptom pattern and history, using established criteria, rather than a single test. Dr. Golian may order targeted bloodwork or other studies to rule out conditions like celiac disease, thyroid issues, or inflammatory bowel disease when warranted.
3What foods should I avoid with IBS?
Triggers vary from person to person, but common culprits include certain high-FODMAP foods, caffeine, alcohol, and very fatty or spicy meals. Dr. Golian can guide you through a structured approach, sometimes a temporary low-FODMAP plan, to identify your personal triggers safely.
4Can stress and anxiety really make IBS worse?
Yes. Because of the close gut-brain connection, stress and anxiety often intensify IBS symptoms, which is why addressing them is part of effective management. Dr. Golian can screen for anxiety and incorporate stress-reduction strategies into your plan.
5When should I see a specialist for my symptoms?
Warning signs like rectal bleeding, unintended weight loss, anemia, or symptoms that wake you at night warrant prompt evaluation and often a gastroenterology referral. Dr. Golian coordinates this care directly and arranges a gastroenterology referral when needed.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

†Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.