"The thing that makes IBS so difficult is that no-one can say: just do this and you'll be cured."
Before trying to treat the symptoms of IBS, it is very important to obtain the advice of a qualified health professional. The diagnosis of IBS can only be given after all other possible physical causes have been eliminated.
The good news is: IBS sufferers have a number of options for treating the symptoms. There are also a number of things that you can do to minimize the impact of IBS on your life. And it is important to remember that IBS is usually not a life-long problem: for most people, the severity of IBS will decrease over time. Also, it is good to remember that IBS is not a life-threatening disease.
Depending on the symptoms that you experience, there is a range of medical products that you may find helpful.
| Symptom | Medication | Effect |
| Pain & cramps (often accompanied with bloating, constipation and/or diarrhoea) | Anitspasmodic(e.g. Buscopan®) | Relieves painful abdominal discomfort and cramps |
| Diarrhoea | Antidiarrhetic | Encourages formation of firmer stools |
| Constipation | Laxative(e.g. Dulcolax®) | Stimulates natural movement of bowl |
| Flatulence and bloating | Anti-flatulent | Reduces pressure of trapped wind |
Many IBS sufferers achieve greater control over the condition by carefully monitoring the potential "triggers" of IBS episodes. This can be done quite easily: maintain a personal IBS diary, and record the foods and drinks that you consume over a number of weeks, plus the circumstance and events that occur. Compare this with episodes of IBS symptoms you experience. You will probably identify patterns in the foods, drinks and events that precede an episode.
You can learn more about avoiding IBS symptoms in the Useful Advice section of this website.
You can explore more in the Help and more section of this website.
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Understanding different abdominal pains |
Abdominal pain and cramps |
The Buscopan® range |
Menstrual pain |
