Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition affecting the bowel or gut, which is part of the digestive system. There is no cure, and it’s not clear what causes IBS, but there are some IBS treatment options available.

Around 10-20% of people in the UK have IBS, and anyone can develop the condition. It is most commonly diagnosed around the age of 20-30, but it may begin in childhood. Some people are much older when they are first diagnosed, and their IBS symptoms may have just begun, or may have been present for some time but much less severe. Women are twice as likely to receive an IBS diagnosis compared to men.

The severity of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms varies from person to person, and each person will have a unique experience of the condition.

Read more about IBS.

It’s still not clear what causes IBS, but it is believed that certain factors may cause the gut of a person with IBS to work differently to a person who does not have the condition.

Some people find that certain foods are also irritable bowel syndrome triggers, such as fatty or sugary foods, and we talk more about this later.

Read more about what causes irritable bowel syndrome.

The latter may occur alongside the condition, and sometimes it is difficult to tell if emotional or mental health problems are an irritable bowel syndrome trigger, or a symptom of IBS.

IBS is not ‘all in the mind’ but many people report that there is a link between how they are feeling and their IBS symptoms, and vice versa. Experts also now understand that there is a clear link between the gut and the brain, called the gut-brain axis.

If you think you may have symptoms of IBS, you should visit your GP to discuss these. It may feel embarrassing to talk about bowel movements but it is important to tell your GP in detail about the symptoms you are experiencing. Your GP may diagnose you based on your symptoms, as there is no specific test for irritable bowel syndrome. However, your GP may want to run some blood tests and stool (poo) sample tests to rule out some other conditions such as coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease. If you are given a full blood screening, your GP will also be looking for evidence of other issues such as anaemia, thyroid problems and issues with your liver and kidneys. They may also examine you to feel for any swollen areas in your gut.

Your GP may also ask about, or be listening for warning signs of, other more severe health conditions such as bowel cancer or ovarian cancer, and these include:

If you are given a diagnosis of IBS and develop any of the symptoms listed above, you should revisit your GP. Read more about the symptoms of IBS and diagnosis of IBS

Some people choose to live with their IBS and put up with the symptoms they experience, perhaps because IBS treatments they have tried have not worked, or because they prefer not to take medication. Everyone is affected differently by their IBS. Here, we discuss the treatments for irritable bowel syndrome in more detail.

There are lots of over the counter medications that are designed to help reduce irritable bowel syndrome symptoms:

Some people living with IBS may find that their symptoms decrease whilst taking antidepressant tablets. It is unlikely that GPs will prescribe antidepressants to someone who does not experience mood issues alongside their IBS, but for those that do, they may find their mood issues improve as well as their gut symptoms. This is thought to be because antidepressants can positively affect pain receptors, making a person feel less pain, or reducing their anxiety and low mood, which may make their gut issues worse. Read more about antidepressants.

Some people choose to take natural supplements for IBS, such as peppermint oil, which is proven to help some people with IBS symptoms.

Irritable bowel syndrome supplements may suit some people but not others, and some may find that taking certain vitamins and minerals make their gut issues worse.

Other people find that taking minerals such as magnesium helps relieve their IBS symptoms. Many people also take probiotics, which come in various forms and can be bought in yoghurt drinks from the supermarket. These contain good forms of bacteria which may help some people who have an imbalance of bacteria in their gut. However, probiotics do not work for everyone and can actually make some IBS symptoms worse.

It is advisable for a person with IBS to discuss taking natural IBS supplements with their GP before doing so, as some vitamins, minerals and herbal substances can interfere with other medication or health conditions.

There are lots of complementary therapy treatments for IBS such as:

Read more about complementary therapy irritable bowel syndrome treatments

Some people with IBS also experience anxiety, stress and depression. Research now understands that there is a link between the gut and the brain, and that serotonin is made within the gut, so this connection is not surprising. It may be difficult to ascertain if mood issues occurred before IBS symptoms or vice versa, and really it does not matter which came first. This link suggests that finding ways to reduce stress/anxiety/depression may have a positive effect on a person’s experience of IBS. Therefore, some people benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as an irritable bowel syndrome treatment. Read more about CBT.

Dietary changes may improve IBS symptoms, and we talk about this in more detail in the next section.

Read more about treatments for irritable bowel syndrome

Living with an IBS diagnosis will affect each person differently. IBS may impact a person’s life in the following ways (this is not an exhaustive list):

Healthcare Pro are experts in daily living aids, which are products designed to make everyday tasks easier for people who have mobility difficulties or other health conditions.

If you have difficulties with mobility, using the toilet can become difficult. If you also have irritable bowel syndrome, this may cause you an even greater challenge, and increase anxiety. If this is the case for you, we may have a daily living aid solution to suit your needs

If you would like to speak to one of our Occupational Therapists to find if there are any daily living aids that may help you or someone you care for, please email them productadvice@healthcarepro.co.uk or telephone 0345 121 8111.

Many people with a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome are able to work but being in employment may present challenges. These can include anxiety about using the toilet, colleagues being aware of a person’s IBS symptoms, having to use the toilet regularly at work, feeling uncomfortable due to symptoms such as pain, bloating or constipation, and missing work due to symptom flare-ups. Some people find IBS affects their morning routine due to symptoms, or that eating at work affects their gut during the day. It may be advisable to discuss with your employer if your IBS is affecting your work life. Read more about IBS and employment.

IBS Support Group UK – Facebook group for people living with IBS to share stories, advice and experiences

IBS Network Forum – online forum for people with IBS to discuss their symptoms, treatments, and share advice

About IBS – a site run by the US charity International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, which features lots of information about all aspects of living with IBS including IBS treatments, IBS diet, IBS support, and much more

Bladder & Bowel Community – a charity providing advice and information on bladder and bowel conditions, including IBS, and offering a free ‘Just can’t wait card’ for urgent toilet access

Bladder and Bowel UK – a charity providing online resources and information about bowel and bladder issues, including content on constipation, incontinence, fluid intake, and other practical matters

Guts UK – a UK charity for people with gut-related conditions such as IBS, with details about what causes IBS and treatments for IBS

NHS – provides official medical information on irritable bowel syndrome and related conditions

The British Dietetic Association – advice and information on IBS and diet, including self-care, lifestyle advice and information on foods and drinks to eat or reduce intake of

The IBS Network – a charity that provides advice and information on living with irritable bowel syndrome, with online information and support groups

Coeliac disease

– an auto-immune disease affecting the digestive system, where the body reacts to gluten found in wheat, barley and rye, and damages the small intestine’s lining

Digestive system

– the gastrointestinal tract, which includes all the organs required for moving food through the body, using its nutrients and excreting it as waste

Gastroenteritis

– a common stomach bug that may be viral or bacterial and causes diarrhoea

Gut-brain axis

– the link between the gut and the brain, which is thought to involve chemicals and neurotransmitters that travel backwards and forwards along pathways between the brain and the gut (bowel)

Inflammatory bowel disease

– a group of conditions such as Crohn’s disease and colitis, caused by inflammation in the gut or digestive system