Before you launch into any treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you should make sure that you have had an official diagnosis from your Doctor. Make sure that other conditions, which may cause similar symptoms, have been ruled out. Once you have confirmed that the problem is, in fact, IBS, there are a few treatment options. Treatment varies from person to person and focuses on symptom management.
Things you can do to relieve IBS symptoms
Work on your diet (blog up next)
Changing your diet is the first step towards improving IBS symptoms. For some people, the Low FODMAP diet may help to identify IBS triggers and reduce symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhoea.
Before starting the Low FODMAP diet, however, you may find that your problems could be more easily solved by making some basic “first line” changes to your diet. We will discuss these in our next blog.
Reduce stress
People with IBS frequently suffer from stress, anxiety and depression, which can trigger symptoms. The gut-brain axis is an important two-way communication system between the central nervous system (CNS) and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This means that your gut is affected by and partly controlled by your brain.
If you find that your symptoms are triggered by stress, you should work on stress management, psychological therapies or relaxation techniques.
Medications
There are a few, which focus on different symptoms (e.g. anti- diarrhoea medication, antispasmodics (which relax the muscles of the gut, relieving IBS related cramping, spasms and pain), activated charcoal or peppermint oil for bloating and laxatives (preferably natural) for constipation)
In Summary
- Treatment for IBS should be personalised, focusing on individual symptoms.
- Changing your diet is the first and most important part of IBS management. We will talk about that in our next blog.
- Stress management, psychological therapies, (such as gut directed hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and relaxation techniques such as mindfulness are important for treating IBS symptoms.
- Medication for IBS symptoms should only be used after making dietary and lifestyle changes.
We offer a 3 visit package for IBS, with a full program to help you to relieve your symptoms. Get in touch via our contact form, for more details.
