Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Many people will occasionally experience the symptoms associated with IBS which include abdominal pain or discomfort often reported as cramping, bloating, gas, plus diarrhoea and or constipation.The exact cause of IBS is not known and there has been no cure as yet, but there are things that can be done to relieve symptoms. Identifying triggers that either worsen or improve IBS symptoms is important in helping you manage the disorder.
Food & drinks that often make symptoms WORSE include: |
Foods that often make symptoms BETTER include: |
| –– Fatty foods –– Milk products such as cheese |
–– Apples and peaches –– Broccoli (raw), cabbage, carrots |
| and ice cream | (raw), peas |
| –– Chocolate –– Alcohol –– Coffee and caffeinated drinks –– Carbonated drinks |
–– Kidney beans, lima beans –– Wholegrain bread and cereals |
Other triggers for IBS include stress, hormones and sometimes another illness such as
an acute episode of gastroenteritis.
Important points to remember about IBS are:
–– IBS means your bowel doesn’t work the right way–– IBS can cause cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhoea and constipation
–– IBS does not necessarily damage the bowel
–– IBS diagnosis is based upon symptoms
–– IBS is not caused by stress, but stress can make symptoms worse
–– IBS symptoms can be triggered by fatty foods, milk products, chocolate, alcohol,
caffeinated and carbonated drinks
–– IBS treatments may include medicines, dietary supplements, stress relief and
changes in eating habits