Should I consult with a doctor to see if certain foods trigger my IBS symptoms or make them worse?

Should I consult with a doctor to see if certain foods trigger my IBS symptoms or make them worse?

Lin Chang (UCLA Division of Digestive Diseases) gives expert video advice on: Will my IBS symptoms get better?; Is there a cure for IBS?; What treatments can relieve IBS symptoms? and more...

To determine if symptoms are worsened by certain foods or certain triggers is really up to the patient. What can really help a patient sometimes is to keep a daily symptom diary, and for them to do that for a couple of weeks to determine whether there are certain triggers or foods that seem to exacerbate or increase your symptoms. It's also helpful for a patient to do that when they're starting a new treatment, so they can determine if there's a significant change in their symptoms.