Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system.
Usually a lifelong illness, IBS can be very frustrating to live with and can have a big impact on your everyday life.
There is currently no cure for the conditions but making some lifestyle changes - such as tweaks to your diet - can help control the symptoms.
The exact cause of the condition is currently unknown, however it has been linked to food passing through your gut too quickly or too slow slowly as well as oversensitivity.
Stress and family history are also linked to the condition.
The symptoms can range from stomach pain to diarrhoea and bloating with flare ups often being very uncomfortable.
Here are some of the signs to look out for, tips of managing symptoms and when to seek medical advice.
What are the symptoms of IBS?
According to the NHS, the main symptoms of IBS are:
- stomach pain or cramps – usually worse after eating and better after doing a poo
- bloating – your tummy may feel uncomfortably full and swollen
- diarrhoea – you may have watery poo and sometimes need to poo suddenly
- constipation – you may strain when pooing and feel like you cannot empty your bowels fully
There may be days when your symptoms are better and days when they're worse (flare ups).
They may be triggered by food or drink.
There are also a number of other lesser-known symptoms that may be related to IBS.
The NHS lists the following as possible symptoms:
- farting (flatulence)
- passing mucus from your bottom
- tiredness and a lack of energy
- feeling sick (nausea)
- backache
- problems peeing, like needing to pee often, sudden urges to pee, and feeling like you cannot fully empty your bladder
- not always being able to control when you poo ( bowel incontinence )
Treatment and tips to manage IBS
There is no cure for IBS with no single or medicine that works as each person with the condition may experience different symptoms and severity.
However, there are a lot of things that can you can do to ease discomfort have been diagnosed.
Managing symptoms through diet and other lifestyle changes can to help.
The NHS issued some advice for those suffering.
This includes:
- cook homemade meals using fresh ingredients when you can
keep a diary of what you eat and any symptoms you get – try to avoid things that trigger your IBS
try to find ways to relax
get plenty of exercise
try probiotics for a month to see if they help
There are also certain things that you should avoid if experiencing an IBS flare up or when trying to manage the condition.
The NHS advice states:
do not delay or skip meals
do not eat too quickly
do not eat lots of fatty, spicy or processed foods
do not eat more than 3 portions of fresh fruit a day (a portion is 80g)
do not drink more than 3 cups of tea or coffee a day
do not drink lots of alcohol or fizzy drink
Drinking plenty of water as well as avoiding certain foods that cause flare ups can also help ease symptoms.
There are more specific ways to manage the conditions if certain symptoms are giving you the most bother.
For example, if your IBS is causing you to have diarrhoea the NHS says that you should avoid products containing a sweetener called sorbitol.
You can also ask a pharmacist for advice if your symptoms worsen. They may be able to help by providing medicines such as Imodium.
There is more guidance - including ways to manage specific symptoms - on the NHS website here.
When to seek medical advice
Usually symptoms of IBS can be managed at home using some of the lifestyle changes explained above.
However, there may be times where you should seek advice from you GP.
The NHS advices you see a doctor if:
- diet changes and pharmacy medicines are not helping
- you need to avoid lots of different foods to control your symptoms
Your GP may refer you to a dietitian or specialist for advice, and can also suggest other treatments to try.
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