How can IBS be treated?
The symptoms of IBS are most often short-lived and go away without any treatment. When you need medication this is best tailored to the symptoms causing the most discomfort or inconvenience.

Pain is frequently caused by colonic spasm. Peppermint oil relaxes muscles and is often helpful. Antispasmodic drugs, such as mebeverine, are also used for relieving pain in IBS. They may be used regularly or taken just when it strikes.

If you have constipation the first thing you should do is to increase the amount of fibre you have in your diet. It is important for you to increase liquid intake at the same time.

If increasing the amount of fibre in the diet causes problems such as bloating, then a supplement based on ispaghula husk can be useful in normalising bowel function.

If this is ineffective on its own then there are various laxatives available, although stimulant laxatives are best avoided and only used when absolutely necessary.

The main treatment for diarrhoea is loperamide which works by reducing the water in the motions. Codeine also works but side-effects such as nausea are common.

Unfortunately there is no particular treatment for bloating . However, bloating is often associated with constipation and treating this is often helpful. For some people treatment with drugs known as prokinetic agents (such as cisapride and domperidone) is helpful.

Does stress affect IBS?
Stress does not cause IBS, but IBS symptoms can be affected by anxiety and worry. It is important to recognise this, and stress-reducing strategies and relaxation techniques can have a beneficial effect on the symptoms of IBS.

Should you change your diet?
Many people with IBS notice that certain foods make their symptoms worse - particularly pulses like beans, lentils and peas, onions, foods high in roughage or bran; heavy beers or red wine. Food intolerance like these are, however, idiosyncratic. What affects one person may have no effect on another.

Has complementary medicine anything to offer?
Homeopathic medicines may have a beneficial effect in IBS - particularly those which relax the bowel or the psyche. Other techniques like hypnosis are sometimes suggested but there is little scientific evidence as to their benefit. It is unwise to begin complementary techniques until you have discussed your symptoms with your doctor.

Understanding IBS is essential to overcoming it. There is helpful advice contained in IBS Bulletins published every three months by the IBS Appeal. It is available from IBS Appeal Subscriptions, PO Box 18 East Sussex TN16 1ZY

The appeal also has a recorded message information service on 0336 411 286. The message lasts for about 8 minutes and calls are charged at 39p a minute cheap rate and 49p a minute at other time. The proceeds from the service go to the IBS Appeal which supports research in this area.

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome