Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic abdominal pain are common, frustrating, and very treatable once properly evaluated.
IBS is a functional disorder causing recurring abdominal pain along with diarrhea, constipation or both, without structural damage to the gut. Because its symptoms overlap with more serious conditions, a gastroenterologist first rules out other causes, then builds a management plan combining diet, lifestyle and medication. Sarasota-area GI practices routinely evaluate chronic abdominal pain, bloating and altered bowel habits.
Structured diet changes to identify and reduce symptom triggers.
Antispasmodics, fiber, or prescription agents for diarrhea- or constipation-predominant IBS.
Stress management, cognitive approaches and certain low-dose neuromodulators.
Bloodwork, stool tests and sometimes endoscopy to exclude other conditions.
A Florida medical license lets a physician practice, but board certification is the signal that a doctor completed accredited residency training and passed rigorous exams in their specialty. Look for certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) member board that matches the care you need — and verify it yourself.
Procedure facts on this page draw on authoritative medical sources. Confirm specifics in a consultation.
American College of Gastroenterology ↗American Gastroenterological Association ↗Choose a board-certified doctor — and verify it yourself:
ABMS — Certification Matters ↗ Look up any U.S. physician’s board certification across all 24 ABMS member specialty boards. Florida DOH — License Verification ↗ Confirm an active Florida license and review any disciplinary history. NPI Registry (CMS) ↗ Verify a provider’s national identifier and registered specialty taxonomy. Medicare Care Compare ↗ Compare clinicians, hospitals and facilities on quality measures.