Conditions in Depth

This page contains the basic information about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) .

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Treatment

One of the most helpful ways to treat IBS is to change your diet. This can minimize symptoms, or it can reduce the likelihood that an IBS attack will occur.

In almost every case, different foods tend to trigger IBS symptoms. Doctors recommend monitoring what you eat so you can find out what you ate before an attack. After you discover your particular trigger foods, eliminate them from your diet. Some common IBS trigger foods include:

• Cabbage, broccoli, kale, legumes and other gas-producing foods

• Caffeine

• Alcohol

• Dairy products

• Fatty foods, including whole milk, cream, cheese, butter, oils, meats and avocados

• Raw fruits

• Foods, gums and beverages that contain sorbitol, an artificial sweetener

The way you eat may help to create IBS symptoms. Eating large meals can cause cramping and diarrhea, so eating smaller meals more often may help some people with IBS. Eating quickly can cause you to swallow air, which can cause belching or gas.

Adding fiber to your diet, especially if constipation is one of your main symptoms, can help to loosen stools and reduce abdominal pain. At first, fiber will increase the amount of gas in your system, so add fiber gradually. Over time, the body adjusts to the effects of fiber and the gassiness will decrease. Fruits, vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals are good food sources of fiber. Your doctor may recommend a fiber supplement. Some experts believe that the fiber methylcellulose creates the least amount of gas, and brands of this fiber are often recommended for people with IBS. Psyllium is also a good source of fiber.

If your symptoms are not relieved after you eliminate trigger foods and add fiber, your doctor may prescribe medications. Depending on what your most difficult symptoms are, medications can include:

• Antidiarrheals — loperamide (Imodium), diphenoxylate (Lomotil and other brand names)

• Antispasmodics to reduce cramping — dicyclomine (Bentyl)

• Pain-reducing agents — amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin)

One other medication is available to treat severe symptoms. Alosetron (Lotronex) is used to treat women with IBS who have very severe diarrhea. If you take this medication, you have to receive it from a specialist with experience using the medication (the doctor must register with the drug manufacturer and receive training to be a prescriber) and you must sign a form stating that you are aware that life-threatening complications of a blocked, ruptured or damaged bowel may be caused by this medicine.