APP Insight: Why Is It Important to Let Patients Know There Are Different Options for Treatment?

September 2025

In this episode, nurse practitioner Gabriella McCarty draws on over 26 years of GI, IBD, and hepatology experience to discuss irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and why patient education and shared decision-making are essential for better outcomes. Gabriella highlights how IBS-C can present with a variety of symptoms, including bloating, several days without a bowel movement, or even diarrhea caused by overflow constipation, making it a condition that is often misunderstood. She emphasizes that treatment is not one-size-fits-all—ranging from diet and lifestyle changes to over-the-counter options, prescription therapies, and newer targeted treatments such as guanylate cyclase-C agonists. By empowering patients with knowledge about the many available options, clinicians can improve patient confidence, encourage collaboration in care, and address years of frustration many individuals experience when they feel unheard. This conversation underscores the importance of individualized treatment approaches in IBS-C and offers practical insights for GI providers and their patients. Learn more at GHAPP.org