According to Bindia Gandhi, MD, an integrative medicine physician and gut health expert, “Gut problems like IBS are on the rise for many reasons, including our diet, stress and environmental toxins we are exposed to “.

Singh agrees, noting, “The biggest triggers are stress and diet.” That said, he adds, “There are several other triggers, such as lack of exercise, poor sleep, and exposure to toxins or foods you’re sensitive to.”

If you’re trying to figure out if you have IBS bowel problems, Singh recommends reading the Rome IV diagnostic criteria to help you determine if what you have qualifies as IBS and getting a diagnosis from a specialist. “It’s important to see a gastroenterologist if you have any symptoms, because some things can sound like IBS and be more of a concern, like celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease, to name a few.”

If you have IBS, the good news is that the main triggers are related to your lifestyle, so you can definitely make changes to improve your IBS symptoms. According to Singh and Gandhi, the top lifestyle tips are: