Our grateful thanks to Guts UK for their input to our radio report, which you can hear again via the audio player at the bottom of this page, and for the use of the information below supplemented with guidance from the NHS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS) is the most common disorder of the digestive system, with up to one third of the UK population experiencing symptoms. It is thought to be caused by the gut and brain over-communicating. In other words, talking to one another too much.
Symptoms can include:
IBS can happen at any age but the usual age for patients to seek advice is between 20 and 40 years. Women are slightly more affected than men by IBS.
Treatments are very individual, as they can vary depending on the symptoms. They can include medications, diet and lifestyle factors. It’s important to work alongside your doctor on what treatments you’d like to try. It’s important to remember that what works for one person may not work for the next. Learn as much as you can about what there is out there to try when it comes to IBS treatment.
To help your GP before you see them note down;
There's no single test for IBS, but you might need some tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.
The GP may arrange:
You will not usually need further tests in hospital unless the GP is not sure what the problem is.
What happens if you're diagnosed with IBS? If the GP thinks you have IBS, they'll talk to you about what it is and what the treatment options are. It might be difficult to take in everything they tell you.
If you're unsure about something afterwards, write down any questions you have and make another appointment to go over them.
General tips to relieve IBS symptoms
Do
Don’t
How to ease bloating, cramps and farting
How to reduce diarrhoea
If you keep getting diarrhoea, make sure you drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
How to relieve constipation
See a GP again if:
Listen to this weeks radio report
All material on this website is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.