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Do certain foods cause IBS?
No. Foods don’t cause IBS. But some foods may make you feel worse. Foods that may make symptoms worse include foods high in fat or caffeine. Fat and caffeine can cause your intestines to contract, which may cause cramping. Alcohol and chocolate may also make you feel worse. If gas is a problem for you, you might want to avoid foods that tend to make gas worse. These include beans, cabbage and some fruits.
Keeping a diary of what you eat and what your symptoms are for a few weeks may be a good way to find out if a food bothers you. If you think a food makes you feel worse, don’t eat it. But don’t cut out foods unless they have caused you problems more than once.
What about milk and milk products?
If milk and other dairy products bother you, you may have lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance means that your body can’t digest lactose (the sugar in milk).
Dairy products may seem to make IBS symptoms worse if you’re lactose intolerant. If this seems to be the case, you may need to limit the amount of milk and milk products in your diet. Talk to your family doctor if you think you have trouble digesting dairy products.
How can stress affect IBS?
Stress may trigger symptoms in people with IBS. Talk to your family doctor about ways to deal with stress, such as exercise, relaxation training or meditation. He or she may have some suggestions or may refer you to someone who can give you some ideas. Your doctor may also suggest that you talk to a counselor about things that are bothering you.
Can my doctor prescribe medicine for IBS?
There is no cure for IBS. However, if you’re having bad symptoms, your doctor may prescribe medicine to help you manage or lessen your symptoms.
For example, antispasmodic medicines may be prescribed to reduce cramping if your main symptom is pain. Hyoscyamine (Some brand names: Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin) and dicyclomine (Some brand names: Bentyl, Di–Spaz) help relax the spasms in the colon. Heating pads and hot baths can also be comforting.
When diarrhea is a frequent problem, medicine such as loperamide (Brand name: Imodium) may help.
Your doctor may give you tranquilizers or sedatives for short periods to treat anxiety that may be making your symptoms worse. Your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant for you if your symptoms are severe and you are feeling depressed.
Will IBS get worse over time?
No. While IBS will probably recur throughout your life, it won’t get worse. It doesn’t cause cancer or require surgery, and it won’t shorten your life.
What if IBS interferes with my daily activities?
IBS may have caused you to avoid doing certain things, like going out or going to work or school. While it may take some time for your efforts to pay off, you may find new freedom by following a plan that includes a healthy diet, learning new ways to deal with your stress and avoiding foods that may make your symptoms worse.
Tips on controlling IBS
- Eat a varied healthy diet and avoid foods high in fat.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Try eating 6 small meals a day rather than 3 larger ones.
- Learn new and better ways to deal with your stress.
- Avoid using laxatives. They may weaken your intestines and cause you to be dependent on them.
