Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may not be fatal but it can be a very uncomfortable condition to live with. This condition is marked by frequent bouts of constipation or diarrhea. Its treatment focuses on improving the patient’s quality of life and relieving symptoms. There is no single treatment that can be used to manage IBS, but instead, patients are usually prescribed a combination of therapies by their doctors.

Lifestyle changes
Often, simple lifestyle changes can be very effective in relieving symptoms associated with this condition.

• Limiting exposure to stress and finding ways to deal with stress effectively. Yoga and meditation can be very helpful.
• Including plenty of fibrous foods in your daily diet
• Drinking plenty of water
• Getting enough sleep
• Regular exercising
• Eating small meals
• Maintaining a food diary

Patients are usually advised to maintain a food diary chronicling the food eaten and the bouts of IBS. This helps identify potential trigger foods that should be avoided. Common triggers include red peppers, spring onions, cow’s milk, wheat, and red wine.

Avoiding certain foods
Some foods can be more difficult to digest as compared to others and may trigger or aggravate IBS.

• Alcohol
• Carbonated drinks
• Caffeine and caffeinated drinks
• Vegetables that promote the production of gas like cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.
• Food that contains gluten like wheat, rye, and barley
• Processed foods

Medication
In addition to the changes in diet you may also be prescribed:

• Fiber supplements – These supplements help relieve constipation. Fiber supplements are also known as bulking agents as they soften stool so that it can move through the rectum easily.
• Laxatives – If the fiber supplements do not help, laxatives may be prescribed to encourage the release of stool.
• Anti-diarrheal medications – Medication like a bile acid binder may be prescribed to control diarrhea.
• Anticholinergic medications – This refers to medication prescribed to relieve painful spasms associated with diarrhea.
• Pain medication – IBS that is accompanied by bloating and abdominal cramps may be treated with pain relievers.
• Antidepressants – Some antidepressants can help manage depression and suppress the activity of certain neurons that are responsible for abdominal pain. In cases of people who do not have depression, this medication may be prescribed in very low dosages.

Irritable bowel syndrome medications
If none of the above medications are effective, medications designed specifically for IBS may be prescribed. There are many such different medications. People with diarrhea may be prescribed medication to relax the colon and make waste move slowly through the bowels. Medication may also be prescribed to treat diarrhea by reducing fluid secretion and muscle contractions in the intestines and increasing the rectum’s muscle tones. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to reduce bacterial growth in the intestines.

If the IBS patient complains of chronic constipation, medication may be given to increase fluid secretion in the small intestine so as to help the stool move smoothly.

When taking IBS medication, it is very important to follow the doctor’s prescription. Laxatives can be addictive and hence should not be taken for long stretches of time.