9 Treatments of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the large intestine. The condition’s symptoms can vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. While mild symptoms can be managed with diet and stress reduction, medication and counseling may be needed to manage more severe symptoms.

The cause of IBS isn’t known, and there are no specific tests for the condition. However, if you have symptoms of the condition, your doctor may run some tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. The symptoms of IBS vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms of the condition include abdominal cramping, pain, or bloating that is relieved or partially relieved after having a bowel movement, mucus in the stool, excess gas, and diarrhea, constipation, or both.

1. High Fiber Diet

A high fiber diet can help some individuals with IBS. Fiber adds bulk to your stool, which helps with bowel movements. Most adults should consume 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day. Add soluble fiber into your diet a little at a time, as adding too much fiber too fast may trigger IBS symptoms. It’s also important to increase your fluid intake at the same time you increase your fiber intake. Some good sources of fiber include fruits like apples, pears, bananas, strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, figs, cantaloupes, and peaches. Vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, broccoli, zucchini, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts are also good sources of fiber you can add to your diet.