IBS-Health.com: IBS - Sources of Advice

Sources of Advice

We at www-IBS-Health.com spend a great deal of time reading and researching IBS information. Choosing good sources of information is never easy. We believe our website will offer you a great deal of help, however we would also recommend sources such as www.netdoctor.co.uk. There are a number of other places to learn more, for the time being we have placed one of the Q & A's from www.netdoctor.co.uk here for you to digest.

Article from - NetDoctor Q & A

Question

My doctor told me that I am suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but what is the best thing to cure IBS?

What is the best diet to go on?

Answer

First of all, there is really no cure for IBS – but don't despair, there are ways of controlling it, and it is not a progressive condition.

In many people, after troubling them for a few months or a few years, it just settles down.

It is true that is often related to stress, but there is not much evidence that it is related to diet. Indeed, special diets are not often very helpful, but I will mention this again.

So remember that IBS is not a dangerous condition, but can make your life a bit miserable at times.

The diagnosis is by the history and by excluding other possible causes.

If investigations for disturbed bowel habit (diarrhoea, constipation, more or less frequent motions), colicky intermittent abdominal pain, and bloating and wind are negative, then irritable bowel syndrome (or IBS) is the likely diagnosis.

There is no specific reliable test for IBS. It is the history of the complaint that points to the diagnosis.

The exact cause of the condition is debated, but the pain is probably from spasm in the bowel, although probably several factors play a part.

Treatment is also variable, but it does need sympathy and understanding. As I have mentioned, some people find that stress makes their symptoms worse.

Some women find it is worse at certain times of their menstrual cycle. Sometimes certain foods (like dairy products) seem to make matters worse, and avoiding them can help.

It is sensible to avoid anything that you feel makes your symptoms worse.

Constipation and diarrhoea can both occur with IBS. Treating the constipation with bulking agents and high fibre foods can help this, but some patients find fibre just makes them feel more bloated and uncomfortable.

Medication can be used to ease the symptoms of IBS, usually antispasmodics, and common ones prescribed are mebeverine (Colofac is one brand) dicyclomine, peppermint oil, and alverine (Spasmonal).

These can all help to varying degrees. Your doctor can advise you about this. There are also some new treatments coming out in the next 12 months.

Yours sincerely

The NetDoctor Medica