Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Treatment
We help you to understand your treatment and support options for IBS treatment and gut health
CONTACT USTreating Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Rather than restricting foods with IBS treatment, we aim to address the underlying cause of symptoms. While the symptoms of IBS can be defined, the gut issues that can lead to these symptoms can be varied. This means that a personalised approach is often required.
Symptoms of IBS include:
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation or diarrhoea
Dietary Recommendations for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Dietary approaches form a central part of IBS treatment and support.
While a single diet hasn’t been proven to help everyone with IBS, several IBS diets can be considered in various forms.
These diets include:
- Gluten-free diets
- Lactose-free diets
- The low FODMAP Diet
- Elimination Diets
- The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)
Lifestyle and Stress Management
Lifestyle factors can be considered risk factors for developing IBS. These same factors can also increase the severity of IBS symptoms.
It’s also common for stress from the symptoms themselves to increase stress, creating a vicious cycle.
Areas of support and IBS treatment include:
- Adequate sleep and rest
- Physical activity
- Meditation and mindfulness-based stress reduction
- Gut-directed hypnotherapy
- CBT
Speak to us about your gut health today
How to manage an IBS flare-up
IBS symptoms can increase in severity which is often referred to as flare-up. These can calm by themselves however there are ways to calm symptoms.
Strategies to calm an IBS flare-up include:
- Peppermint oil
- Probiotics for IBS
- Herbal teas such as fennel, ginger and peppermint
- A low FODMAP diet
- A hot water bottle
- Digestive enzymes
- Diaphragmatic breathing practices
Medications for IBS Treatment
It is common for the role for over the counter or prescribed medications to target symptoms, rather than address the underlying cause. However, they can form part of a symptoms management strategy.
These include:
- Laxative and stool softeners
- Antispasmodics
- Support for nerve hypersensitivity
- Stool firming agents
For Diarrhoea or Constipation
For constipation, fibre supplements as well as stool softeners such as lactulose and dulcoease can be considered.
For diarrhoea, medications such as Imodium can be considered to reduce stool frequency to improve symptoms.
For Pain and Discomfort
Pain and sensitivity in the gut can be caused by hypersensitive nerves as well as spasms and cramping.
Approaches include:
- Antispasmodics (Mebeverine)
- SSRI Antidepressants (sertraline)
- Peppermint oil capsules (colpermin)
Other approaches that may help treat pain
Alongside these mostly pharmaceutical medications, additional therapies can also be considered.
These include:
- TENs treatment
- Gut-directed hypnotherapy
- Mindfulness
Probiotics for IBS Management
Probiotic for IBS are supplements that are a natural approach for this condition. These hatve has been found to improve a wide range of IBS symptoms. These IBS supplements are focused on addressing the underlying issue or imbalance in the gut to resolve symptoms.
This means that often after a course of probiotics are taken, they may not need to be taken ongoingly.
These are used to treat factors such as:
- Microbial imbalances in the gut microbiome
- SIBO
- Visceral hypersensitivity
- Low-grade inflammation
IBS and Mental Health
Alongside medications, natural supplements and dietary approaches, further support can be considered. These can take into account the gut-brain connection.
For some with IBS stress can trigger the onset of symptoms. For others, stress may not have been present when symptoms began but the ongoing nature of symptoms has led to stress. In both of these situations, gut-brain and mental health support can be important.
These include:
- Gut-directed hypnotherapy
- Talking therapy or counselling
- CBT
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction
Integrating Multiple Therapies
Combining treatments and approaches is often considered for a holistic approach to IBS. This is due to several factors often being involved in the complex nature of IBS.
The areas of combined treatment include:
- Dietary approaches
- Natural supplements
- Lifestyle support
- Gut-brain support
- Medications (if required)
Your Next Step
Get help for your IBS
Book a free 15-minute consultation where we’ll review your symptoms and answer any questions.
Read more about IBS diet and nutrition
Understand how diet and nutrition can impact your symptoms.
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