Beyond Medications: Complementary Therapies for Managing IBS-C
Living with IBS-C often requires more than just medications. In this episode, host Jacqueline Gaulin is joined by Dr. Kumkum Patel, a board-certified gastroenterologist in Newport Beach, CA, who specializes in treating IBS patients (find her at kumkumpatelmd.com or @dr.gut_motility). Together, they explore how to integrate complementary therapies into your care plan to help you feel and function better.
You’ll learn:
– How nutrition can support IBS-C management—and where to start
– Why stress can make symptoms worse
– What emerging research says about the gut microbiome and probiotics
– How to figure out which therapies are right for you
– Why shared-decision making with your healthcare provider is key
This episode is made possible with support from Ardelyx.
Featured Videos
October 22, 2025
IBS-C Treatment: What to Expect on the Road to Symptom Relief
Starting a new IBS-C treatment can bring a mix of hope and uncertainty. How soon will it work? What if side effects appear? Should you keep going or call your doctor? Host Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with Dr. Brian Lacy, gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, to answer the real questions patients ask when starting treatment. In this episode, we discuss: - What patients can realistically expect in the first days and weeks of treatment - What “feeling better” truly means for each individual - Common challenges and side effects patients may experience - How to stay encouraged and avoid stopping treatment too soon without consulting your doctor Relief takes time—and you’re not alone on this journey. This episode is made possible with support from Ardelyx.
June 25, 2025
IBS-C Treatment Tips: How to Find Relief Without Losing Progress
IBS-C (Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation) is a chronic condition that disrupts how your gut works—causing abdominal pain, bloating, and infrequent, hard-to-pass stools. It can seriously impact your quality of life, and finding the right treatment is often a journey filled with ups and downs. So, how do you get relief from IBS-C symptoms without feeling like you’re back at square one? In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Bryan Curtin, Director of The Center for Neurogastroenterology and GI Motility at The Melissa L. Posner Institute for Digestive Health & Liver Disease at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. Together, we discuss: - Why managing IBS-C often requires some trial and error - What to do when progress isn’t perfect - Signs it might be time to adjust your treatment plan - Practical tips to prepare for your next appointment—so you can have more productive conversations with your provider This episode is made possible with support from Ardelyx.
Let’s Keep in Touch!
Subscribe to get the latest news and content delivered straight to your inbox.
Listen to our
latest Podcast!