Irritable Bowel Syndrome – IBS

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Back to top
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Gas /Flatulence
  • Diarrhoea
  • Constipation
  • Bloating

COMPLICATIONS OF DISEASE

Back to top

Health complications arising from IBS include haemorrhoids (aggravated by diarrhoea and/or constipation), depression, weight loss, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and psychosocial problems such as interference with work, relationships, friends and family.

MANAGING YOUR DISEASE

Back to top
  • Get tested for IBS (food allergy test and eliminate these foods).
  • Use prescribed medication daily as prescribed by HCP Add fibre to diet
  • Limit food that make diarrhoea/constipation worse
  • Meditation/Exercise to relief stress Limit caffeine, alcohol, milk products, foods high in sugar, fatty foods, gas producing foods, artificial sweeteners (sorbitol & zylitol)
  • Probiotics may help

LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS

Back to top
  • Having a healthy diet is important in managing your IBS. This would reduce the discomfort and pain you are experiencing. [1]
  • Regular exercise may help your digestive system, ease IBS symptoms and improve overall mood. [2]
  • Avoid stress as it may make your symptoms worse. Find ways to reduce stress such as relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises, yoga, meditations, etc. [2]
  • Having support groups can help you gain different methods on how to manage your symptoms as it would include sharing concerns, managements and experiences [1]
  • Avoid common offenders such as coffee and chocolate as well.
  • Try to include a gluten free diet to see if your symptoms improve. This will include rye and any type of wheat.
  • Avoid foods which are high in fat such as fried foods and animal fats. Focus more on lean meats, fish and chicken. Prepare foods by grilling, broiling or steaming with little to no oil. Cooking spray can be substituted in the place of cooking oil.
  • Avoid carbohydrates which are difficult for the intestines to digest such as lactose found in milk products, peaches, watermelon, pears, mangoes, plums, nectarines, legumes, high fructose products, wheat, rye, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, mushroom, artichoke, etc.
  • Ask your doctor about the FODMAPs diet, which is an acronym for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharide and polyols. When you eat out, try to choose foods which are close to what you eat at home.

 

    • Therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy can help you develop coping skills and improve the overall quality of life. [2]
    • Avoid alcohol and smoking as it will aggravate your symptoms. [2]
    • Ask your doctor about Probiotic supplements. [1]
    This is an uncomfortable disorder characterized by dramatic changes in bowel movements such as diarrhea or constipation. Everyday activities may become intolerable due to cramps and abdominal pain. Dietary tips can help improve your symptoms, but medical intervention is important for treatment. [3]

     

DIETARY TIPS

Back to top
  • Having a high fibre diet helps build the bulk of your stools which shall assist in bowel movement. These include fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
  • Gradually add fibre to your diet. Start low, increase slowly until you reach a point of intolerance. If you experience bloating and diarrhoea due to the high fiber, instead of cutting fiber completely from your diet, focus on soluble fibre. These include apples, berries, carrots, oatmeal, beans, etc.
  • Avoid insoluble fibre found in nuts, tomatoes, raisins, broccoli, cabbage, etc.



  1. Health Library [Internet]. Lifestyle changes to manage irritable bowel syndrome. Winchester: Winchester Hospital; [updated 2019 Jun 07; cited 2019 Aug 12]. Available from: https://www.winchesterhospital.org/healthlibrary/ article?id=19649.
  2. Renlund L [Internet]. 10 Simple dietary & lifestyle changes to Help IBS management. Canada: Dieticians of Canada; [updated 2017 Oct; cited 2019 Aug 12]. Available from: https://www.laurenrenlund.com/2016/11/27 /simple-changes-help-ibs-management/.
  3. Moore K, Higuera V [Internet]. IBS diet guide. America: Healthline; [updated 2018 Nov 07; cited 2019 Aug 13]. Available from:https://www.healthline.com/health/ibs-diet.
  4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease [Internet]. Eating, diet & nutrition for irritable bowel syndrome. America: National institute of Health; [updated 2017 Nov, cited 2019 Aug 13]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/healthinformation/ digestive-diseases/irritable-bowelsyndrome/ eating-diet-nutrition.
  5. GI Society [Internet]. IBS diet: the foods you can eat. Canada: Canadian Society of Intestinal Research; [update 2019; cited 2019 Aug 13]. Available from: https://badgut.org/informationcentre/ health-nutrition/ibs-the-foods-you-caneat/.
  6. Health Matters [Internet]. Everything you need to know about IBS. New York: NewYork-Presbyterian; [updated 2019; cited 2019 Aug 13]. Available from: https://d1nakyqvxb9v71.cloudfront.net/wpcontent/ uploads/2019/04/ibs-at-a-glance-8.jpg.
  7. Gowan M [Internet]. Causes of IBS- What factors contribute to IBS?. Canada: ND Assist; [updated 2017 Jul 19; cited 2019 Aug 13]. Available from: https://www.nhpassist.com/blog/wpcontent/ uploads/2017/07/blog-causes4- smaller.jpg.
  8. Bolen B [Internet]. Understanding IBS pain. New York: Verywell health; [updated 2019 Jul 04, cited 2019 Aug 13]. Available from:https://www.verywellhealth.com/thmb/LvV 71XReMRvcVQEY5O9cPbbLW8A=/1500×1000/filte rs:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ibspain- locations-1945305- 5c04ab7ec9e77c0001dbe853.png.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

For more health information

Click on the body area you want to know more about. Select a related health topic from the menu

Select a body area
Head
Chest
Abdomen
Pelvis
Legs
Feet
Mental Health
Skin
General
Infant Health
Restlessness and Teething in Babies
Restlessness and Teething in Babies
Although deemed as ‘normal’, teething may be accompanied by a fever, irritability, diarrhoea and poor sleep; amongst other things. Was this ....
Flu
Flu
There has been a steady increase in the number of flu cases reported recently. This is unusual because the flu season usually runs from March to ....
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea
When is a runny tummy actually diarrhoea, and when to use an antidiarrhoeal? Was this helpful? Submit Cancel Thanks for your feedback! Was this ....
Sinus
Sinus
Sinuses are spaces in the bones of your cheeks, your forehead and your nose. Was this helpful? Submit Cancel Thanks for your feedback! Was this ....
Measles, Mumps and Rubella – MMR
Measles, Mumps and Rubella – MMR
Measles, Mumps and Rubella can be highly infectious diseases1 and can spread through droplets of saliva, inhaled or picked up from surfaces and ....