The Symptoms Of IBS & How To Treat Them

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common condition affecting the digestive system, which can be hugely frustrating to manage and live with, and it can have a big impact on everyday life.

There is currently no cure, but there are various ways in which symptoms can be managed and treated to help get them under control. It’s not known exactly what causes IBS, but links have been made to issues with food moving through the gut too quickly or too slowly, as well as stress, family history or oversensitive nerves in the gut.

There are various symptoms to look out for if you’re concerned that you do have IBS, such as cramps or stomach pain that get worse after eating or improve after defecation. You may also experience bloating, where your tummy feels swollen and uncomfortably full, as well as constipation and/or diarrhoea.

Other potential symptoms that may manifest themselves include backache, feeling sick, issues with urination (such as sudden urges, increased frequency or feeling like you can’t fully empty your bladder), flatulence, tiredness and fatigue, and passing mucus from the anus.

Going to see a doctor could be wise if you’re concerned about any of the above symptoms. Your GP will ask about your experiences, whether your symptoms come and go, how often you get them and when, and how long you’ve had them for.

There is currently no test that can be carried out to assess whether you have IBS, but tests can be conducted that will rule out other potential causes. You may need a blood test, for example, to see if you have coeliac disease, while faecal tests can be done to check for infections and inflammatory bowel disease.

If your GP does believe you have IBS, the good news is that there’s a lot you can do to ease your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Lifestyle changes can make a big difference to how you’re feeling and a good first step to take to work out what’s triggering your symptoms is to keep a food diary of what you eat and what symptoms appear, so you can avoid this in future.

Using fresh ingredients and cooking homemade meals can also prove very beneficial, as can getting plenty of exercise. In terms of what to avoid, try not to eat too quickly, don’t delay or skip meals, don’t eat lots of processed or fatty foods and don’t drink too much alcohol or fizzy drinks.

As for medication, there are various treatments you could consider, ranging from Buscopan and Imodium to Colpermin. If you’re looking for digestive relief medicine at the moment, you’ll find all you need and more here at Doorstep Pharmacy.