Irritable Bowel Syndrome Specialist
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Center for Integrative and Holistic Medicine
Rubina Azam, MD, FAAP, ABIHM
Integrative Holistic Medicine located in Panama City, FL
As many as 12% of adults in the United States suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which causes digestive symptoms that interfere with daily life. At the Center for Integrative and Holistic Medicine, the medical team led by board-certified integrative and holistic medicine physician Rubina Azam, MD, understands that IBS isn’t always a cut and dry diagnosis. Instead, the team aims their treatment at finding and resolving the root cause of your symptoms. For relief from your IBS, call the Panama City, Florida, office or use the online booking feature to schedule a consultation today.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Q & A
What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
IBS is a functional gastrointestinal condition, meaning the symptoms you experience aren’t damaging your digestive tract and the condition has no known cause. Because IBS is viewed as a condition with no known cause, traditional medicine may not be able to provide you with a treatment to resolve your symptoms.
But at the Center for Integrative and Holistic Medicine, Dr. Azam and her team believe your IBS has an underlying cause, such as a food sensitivity or leaky gut, and provide advanced diagnostic testing to identify the cause and provide the most effective treatment to alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
What are IBS symptoms?
IBS causes a range of digestive symptoms that vary in type and severity. Common symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
You may notice that your symptoms worsen when you’re upset or after eating certain foods. Women may also experience an increase in symptoms during menstruation.
What can I expect during an IBS evaluation?
Dr. Azam and her team at the Center for Integrative and Holistic Medicine conduct comprehensive evaluations when you come to the office looking for help managing your IBS. During your evaluation, Dr. Azam reviews your medical and medication history, diet and lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors, and your symptoms.
After gathering this detailed information, Dr. Azam determines the type of diagnostic testing needed to identify the root cause of your IBS, which may include tests to assess for:
- Food sensitivities
- Micronutrient deficiencies
- Environmental toxicity
- Autoimmune diseases
- Infections
Dr. Azam uses the information gathered from the advanced diagnostic testing to develop your personalized treatment plan.
What are IBS treatments?
Dr. Azam aims your IBS treatment plan at the root cause of your symptoms. Your treatment may include:
- Diet modification
- Nutritional supplements
- Lifestyle changes
Once your treatment plan is in place, Dr. Azam and her team closely monitor your symptoms at regularly scheduled follow-ups. To assess the effectiveness of her treatment plan, Dr. Azam may request updated labs.
To better understand the cause of your IBS and get the targeted treatment you need, contact Center for Integrative and Holistic Medicine by phone or online today.
