About this topic
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common long-term health problem of your belly. It does not cause swelling and does not lead to a more serious problem. The cause of IBS is not clear. There is no cure for IBS. Care focuses on how to control the signs. ‚
Signs may be mild to very bad. They can last for weeks or months. The main signs are: ‚
- Belly pain
- Belly fullness
- Gassy feeling
- Bloating
- Loose or hard stools
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What care is needed at home?
Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do. ‚
Ask your doctor and learn how to cope with stress. This may include: ‚
- Relaxation
- Doing an activity to relieve stress
- Counseling
- Joining a support group
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Control belly muscle spasms
- Treat hard or loose stools and signs
- Fight an infection
Be sure to take all drugs as ordered by your doctor. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
Physical activity may not be limited. You may be limited by your signs. They may keep you from going to school or work and going to social events. Regular workouts can help improve your bowel function and other signs of IBS. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Keep a diary of what you eat and how your body responds. This way you can figure out if anything you eat makes your signs better or worse. Talk to your doctor about it.
- Your doctor may suggest these changes. Be sure to pay attention to how your signs change with each one.
- Eat high-fiber foods like fruits and vegetables.
- Limit foods that can make you have gas. You may want to avoid onion, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, dried beans, lentils, and cauliflower.
- Limit foods and drinks with artificial sweeteners. This includes foods with aspartame, sorbitol, and mannitol.
- Limit milk products such as milk, ice cream, and some yogurts. See if this changes your signs.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as coffee and tea. Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Avoid foods that make you feel worse.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Change in your bowel movements that does not go away
- Blood in your stool
- Throwing up and loose stools for more than 24 hours
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how I will cope with stress.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have blood in my bowel movements or a change in my bowel movements that does not go away.
Where can I learn more?
Dietitians Association of Australia ‚
http://daa.asn.au/for-the-public/smart-eating-for-you/nutrition-a-z/irritable-bowel-syndrome/ ‚
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/#help ‚
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/88/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚