You may be wondering what steps you can take to live your life better with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The condition is unpredictable. Symptoms change over time and are hard to talk about and add to the challenge of living with it. Furthermore, IBS affects not only the person who suffers, but also others who…
You may find that only lifestyle changes may not be adequate in managing your irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms; you may want to know what other resources are available to you. It is important to keep in mind that IBS is a group of symptoms. Different treatment options will be relevant for you depending on…
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a functional problem with your gut that causes abdominal pain and changes in your bowel movements, such as diarrhea, constipation, or alternating episodes of both.1 Other symptoms that may be caused by IBS include cramps, bloating, and flatulence.2 Although the proportion of people with IBS varies by country,3 it…
In addition to managing your diet and eating habits, general lifestyle changes can improve your IBS symptoms. Reduce stress Although IBS is not caused by stress, increased stress can trigger symptoms or make them worse.4 Taking steps to reduce the levels of stress in your life may help reduce the frequency and severity of your…
There are many things you can do to help keep your IBS under control if you have been diagnosed. There is no single diet or medicine that works for everyone with IBS1; it is important to find out what works for you. Meals may seem to trigger symptoms, which may be attributed to certain foods…
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms have a significant impact on you and your life. IBS can affects multiple aspects of your life: work, social, home and family.1 Day-to-day, this can make it hard to function in a way that feels normal.1 For some people with IBS, this means withdrawing from social situations or struggling to…
Why should you talk to your doctor? You may be experiencing symptoms in your gut that have led you to treat yourself using over-the-counter medicines or natural or homemade remedies. How you choose to manage your condition is up to you. If you feel like you need more information, or if you feel like you…
Doctors believe that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) could be a problem with how your brain and gut work together, which is known as the brain–gut axis.3 In IBS, there is a problem with the way the bowels, also called the gut, work that is not related to their structure; the gut does not function normally.1…