IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) - TREATMENT

The lack of understanding of the physiological mechanisms causing IBS prevent doctors from having treatment targeting these mechanisms. Treatment is instead directed at the symptoms of IBS as well as avoiding known triggers of the condition.

Management of IBS would include:

• Lifestyle Modifications

• Dietary Changes

• Taking Medication

• Reducing Stress Levels

• Complementary or Alternative Treatments

Try each strategy in turn or in combination. Over time, you will learn to recognize which works best for you.

LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS

You will probably have to experiment with making changes in the following aspects to see if your symptoms of IBS improve. Lifestyle changes may include:

• Stopping intake of caffeine

• Giving up smoking

• Systemic elimination of food groups in your diet (to be discussed with your doctor)

• De-stressing your life

• Regular exercise

• Allowing time for regular defaecation

DIET CHANGES

Avoidance of foods to which one may be intolerant. This will take much trial and error to figure out, because what may work for one person, may do nothing for another. The importance of eating a healthy and balanced diet cannot be overstated.

Increased soluble fibre intake is beneficial in the constipation-predominant type of IBS. Because fibre adds to the bulk of stools and increases transit through the gastrointestinal tract, it is easy to understand how it can help improve constipation-predominant IBS, whilst making diarrhoea-predominant IBS potentially worse. The best solution is to judge for yourself whether fibre helps or worsens your IBS symptoms and base any dietary changes on this.

Our gut contains friendly gut microflora which are essential for the health of the gut. Using these friendly gut microflora (probiotics) may be beneficial in the treatment of IBS, although more studies are required to determine the efficacy of the different strains of beneficial bacteria, before firm recommendations can be made on their use.

MEDICATION

Drugs are prescribed to treat the predominant symptoms of IBS. For instance, laxatives are used to treat constipation-predominant IBS and antidiarrheals are used to treat diarrhoea-predominant IBS. Anti-spasmodic agents are used to help with the cramps associated with IBS.

Low dose antidepressants have also been shown to be effective in managing IBS.

DE-STRESSING YOUR LIFE

Constant worry about work, family, finances and relationships etc can all significantly worsen the symptoms of IBS. Even the mere worry of IBS helps to fuel the self-perpetuating circle of stress. Here are some things you can do to reduce your stress level:

• Regular exercise

• Ensure you get sufficient good quality sleep

• Meditation and relaxation therapy

• Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy


IBS is something that will likely affect you on and off for the rest of your life.  If it is properly managed, it should not end up dictating what you can or cannot do.

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