Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common digestive disorder that can affect men and women of all ages.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• diarrhoea and/or constipation
• abdominal pain
• bloating and excess wind
• as well as general symptoms such as fatigue.

Unlike inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, IBS is not associated with long-term intestinal damage – but the symptoms can still be very severe and chronic and have a significant impact on wellbeing and quality of life.

IBS & diet

The good news is, there is a lot we can do to help manage IBS. Many people with severe IBS eventually find their symptoms reduce to a very normal level that no longer interferes with their daily life.

Food intolerances are a common factor in IBS, and these may change throughout your lifetime. Elimination diets, alongside certain tests, can be very helpful in identifying and managing these – but it’s important to approach this with expert guidance as IBS is not a ‘one size fits all’ condition.

Many elimination diets are not a long-term solution, and it’s important to seek a professional diagnosis before embarking on any treatment plan. A doctor will be able to assess whether tests are needed to rule out other conditions, and to accurately determine whether IBS is causing your symptoms.

Hadley Wood Hospital’s dietitian can also help with identifying individual symptom ‘triggers’, and tailor diet and nutrition plans and advice based on your individual needs. Our dietitian is also trained in the low FODMAP diet, which is an evidence based approach to dietary management of IBS.