Do you have IBS? What you need to know.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a fairly common disease that strikes anywhere between 10 – 15% of the general population so there is no need to feel like you’re suffering alone.
Information about IBS
IBS is a condition that effects the digestive system. The disease generally causes stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation and can be ongoing for weeks, months or longer at a time. The exact cause for this condition is unknown but research is ongoing.
Prevention
There are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to IBS. A general guideline can be followed to ensure that symptoms are controlled. There’s no single diet or medicine that works for everyone with IBS. But there are lots of things that can help if you’ve been diagnosed with it.
DO
- Make sure the majority of food eaten is homemade or fresh.
- Keep a diary of everything you eat in order to understand what triggers symptoms.
- Take in probiotics to help with the overall health of your digestive system.
DON’T
- Eat unhealthy processed foods.
- Drink alcohol or carbonated drinks
- Eat too quickly or have too much delay between meals
See a GP if:
- diet changes and pharmacy medicines aren’t helping
- you need to avoid lots of different foods to control your symptoms
They may refer you to a dietitian or specialist for advice and can also suggest other treatments to try. If you want to see a dietitian privately, make sure they’re registered with the British Dietetic Association (BDA).