Stomachaches are a common part of life, especially after you eat too much food or eat something that's really bad for you, like fried chicken with a side of French fries and a milkshake (although that's so good!).  Usually, though, a long nap and a couple antacids like Tums or Rolaids will do that trick, and you'll feel back to normal in no time.

But what about when you seem to get stomachaches all the time and nothing seems to help?  No amount of sleep or antacids makes them go away, and you feel cramped or bloated all the time.  You're almost afraid to eat anything because you don't want to feel sick again.  You're in the bathroom so much it's almost embarrassing.  What's going on?

The good news is this isn't an uncommon problem.  If these symptoms have persisted for a considerable amount of time, you're probably suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a disorder of the intestines that affects millions of Americans.  There is no cure and it will persist for the rest of your life, but you can make it more bearable and keep your symptoms in check.  There are changes in diet that can be made and prescription medications are available if it's really bad.

Stress is one factor that can cause your symptoms to become worse, so minimizing the influence that stress has in your life can make your IBS a lot better.  This isn't easy to do, as stress seems to be a natural part of life, but if you can master your stress you'll be one step closer to alleviating your symptoms.

Find out what the diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment options are for IBS and what seems to be the best fit for you.  Your doctor knows best, so consult with one right away if you think you have IBS.  There are plenty of things you can do on your own to help handle your IBS in the meantime.