If you’re living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you know how unpredictable (and frustrating) digestive symptoms can be. Bloating, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, or all of the above can make everyday life feel harder than it should be.
Because IBS is often linked to how the muscles and nerves of the digestive tract function, specialized care — like the support offered through our GI motility clinic — can help you manage your symptoms.
But there’s a lot you can do at home to help make your gut happier, and the new year is the perfect opportunity to reset your habits and give your gut the support it deserves.
Read on as our Las Vegas Gastroenterology team shares five realistic New Year’s resolutions to help you move toward a happier, more manageable gut.
IBS looks different for everyone. Certain foods, stress levels, sleep patterns, and even meal timing can trigger symptoms.
This year, pay attention to your triggers, not just your symptoms.
Keeping a simple food and symptom journal, even for a few weeks, can reveal connections you might not expect and help guide smarter choices moving forward.
For example, if you find that every time you eat a high-protein meal, your symptoms flare, you might use that info to tweak your meals. That means you may be able to avoid flare-ups rather than just react to them.
Make 2026 the year you build balanced meals that are easier on your digestion. This could mean:
Our board-certified gastroenterologists, Dr. Noel R. Fajardo and Dr. Filippo Cremonini can also help determine whether approaches like a low-FODMAP diet may be appropriate for you.
A low-FODMAP diet is low in certain carbohydrates that are harder for people with digestive issues to digest. For example, you might swap high-FODMAP mushrooms and snap peas for lower-FODMAP green beans and carrots.
Stress and IBS are closely connected through the gut-brain axis. This means that when your stress levels rise, gut symptoms often follow.
This year, consider stress management a core part of your IBS care, not an afterthought.
Whether it’s regular movement, mindfulness, therapy, breathing exercises, or simply protecting time for rest, lowering stress can significantly reduce symptom frequency and severity.
You could even pick up a new (relaxing) hobby for 2026. Knitting and crocheting, for example, can reduce stress levels and improve your mood.
Poor sleep can disrupt digestion and increase gut sensitivity. Not to mention, chronic sleep deprivation can sabotage your immune system.
Make sleep a non-negotiable this year by setting a consistent bedtime for yourself, limiting screen use before bed, and creating a calming nighttime routine.
IBS is a real medical condition, and you don’t have to manage it alone. We can help rule out other conditions, prescribe the right treatment for your specific symptoms, and provide evidence-based guidance that goes beyond trial and error.
If your symptoms are interfering with work, travel, or quality of life, it may be time to revisit your care plan.
Put this resolution into action: Give us a call at 702-982-7240 to set up an appointment at either of our Las Vegas, Nevada, locations.
At Las Vegas Gastroenterology, our team can help you take control of IBS with personalized, compassionate care.
Schedule an appointment today and make this the year your gut feels better, calmer, and more predictable.
