Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system. It can cause a range of symptoms, including stomach pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation. IBS is a long-term (chronic) condition, but symptoms often come and go over time.
Symptoms of IBS
The main symptoms include:
- Stomach pain or cramps, often relieved after going to the toilet
- Bloating and swelling of the abdomen
- Abnormal bowel habits, such as diarrhoea, constipation, or both. It can also include urgency, straining or incomplete evacuation.
What causes IBS?
The exact cause of IBS is not known. It may be linked to:
- Increased sensitivity in the gut
- Problems with how the gut muscles move food through the digestive system
- Stress and emotional factors
- Changes in gut bacteria
- It may be triggered by gastroenteritis (stomach bug), food poisoning, medications, gut-affecting surgery (C-section) or a poor diet & lifestyle.
Treatment for IBS
There is no cure for IBS, but symptoms can often be managed with diet and lifestyle changes. These may include:
- Adjusting your diet (for example, reducing certain foods that trigger symptoms)
- Managing stress and anxiety
- Taking medicines to help control symptoms
Symptoms that may need further investigation:
- Your symptoms are persistent or worsening
- You have unexplained weight loss
- You notice blood in your stools
- You have difficulty swallowing
- You have diarrhoea waking you from sleep
Tell your doctor if you have a family history of bowel disease such as cancer, colitis or Crohn’s disease.
These symptoms may need further investigation to rule out other conditions.
Non-urgent advice: Further information on IBS
Non-urgent advice: Diet and IBS
Some simple dietary changes can improve your symptoms. Please see the links below for further information.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diet - BDA
Webinars on Irritable Bowel Syndrome - patientwebinars.co.uk
Non-urgent advice: Probiotics and IBS
People with IBS can have different gut microbes than people without IBS. There is some evidence to suggested probiotics can help improve symptoms for some people.
Trying probiotic supplementation for between 4 to 12 weeks is recommended while monitoring the effect.
Probiotic suggestions:
These products are available online, in pharmacies or supermarkets. You may wish to try alternative products. Please shop around for the best price
Non-urgent advice: Mental health and IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is closely linked to mental health. The gut and the brain are connected through what is known as the “gut–brain axis”, meaning they can influence each other.
Many people with IBS find that stress, anxiety, or low mood can make their symptoms worse. For example, feeling anxious may increase stomach pain, bloating, or changes in bowel habits. In the same way, ongoing IBS symptoms can affect how you feel emotionally, sometimes leading to anxiety or depression.
This does not mean that IBS is “all in your head”. IBS is a real physical condition, but emotional wellbeing can play an important role in how symptoms develop and are experienced.
Managing IBS and mental wellbeing
Looking after your mental health can help improve IBS symptoms. This may include:
- Finding ways to reduce stress, such as relaxation techniques or mindfulness
- Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Regular physical activity
- Getting enough sleep
Taking a combined approach—managing both physical symptoms and mental wellbeing—can help many people gain better control of their IBS.
Non-urgent advice: The Low FODMAP Diet
The low FODMAP diet is a short-term eating plan that can help reduce symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), such as bloating, wind, and stomach pain, by limiting certain types of carbohydrates that are hard to digest. It involves three stages: restriction, gradual reintroduction, and personalisation. Because the diet can be restrictive and may affect your nutrition, it should be followed with support from a registered dietitian to ensure it is done safely and effectively.
Click here to find out about the Dietitian service at BVM and how to access it