IBS
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Symptoms of IBS
The main symptoms of IBS can include:
- Stomach pain or cramps – these are often worse after eating and can feel better after going to the toilet
- Bloating – your tummy may feel uncomfortably full or swollen
- Diarrhoea – you might have watery poo and a sudden need to go
- Constipation – you might find it hard to poo or feel like you haven’t fully emptied your bowels
Other symptoms of IBS can include:
- Passing wind (flatulence)
- Passing mucus when you poo
- Feeling tired or low on energy
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Difficulty controlling when you poo (bowel incontinence)
Symptoms can come and go, with some days feeling better than others. Flare-ups can be triggered by certain foods or drinks.
Symptoms of IBS aren’t the same for everyone. While some people struggle with constipation (you might hear of this being called IBS-C), some people struggle with diarrhoea more (you might hear of this being called IBS-D).
When should I see a GP?
If you think you might have IBS, it’s important to speak to your GP. They can check for IBS and may run tests to rule out other conditions. Make sure to ask for an urgent appointment if you have:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bleeding from your bottom or bloody diarrhoea
- A hard lump or swelling in your tummy
- Recurrent bloating
These could be signs of something more serious, so it’s important to get them checked out.
What can trigger IBS symptoms to flare up?
Everyone’s IBS is different, but common triggers can include:
- Everyday stress
- Certain foods like fatty or spicy food
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Anxious feelings
Myth
IBS is no big deal
Fact
IBS can have a significant impact on your daily life. IBS isn’t ‘just a stomach-ache.’ People may live with symptoms like pain, bloating and gas for some time before seeking help. It’s important to seek medical advice if you’re experiencing symptoms of IBS.
What causes IBS?
IBS doesn’t seem to have a single cause. Instead, there are many reasons why someone might develop the condition. The exact cause is unknown, but it's been linked to things like food passing through your gut too quickly or too slowly, oversensitive nerves in your gut, stress and a family history of IBS.
IBS also seems to involve a complex interaction between different parts of the body, including:
- Emotional state
- The balance of gut microbes
- The parts of the immune system that are in the gut
Understanding your triggers can be an important step in managing your symptoms.
Myth
Everyday stress or anxious feelings cause IBS
Fact
Everyday stress can make IBS symptoms worse, but it’s not the cause. The exact cause of IBS isn’t fully understood.
While feelings of stress and anxiousness can make symptoms worse, IBS is a physical condition influenced by factors like gut sensitivity, digestion and gut-brain communication.
Myth
IBS and lactose intolerance are the same thing
Fact
IBS and lactose intolerance are different conditions. Lactose intolerance is caused by the body’s inability to digest lactose, (a sugar found in milk and milk products) while IBS has a range of potential triggers and no single cause.
Dairy products can be a trigger for some people with IBS, so limiting them might help with symptoms.
Diagnosing IBS
When you speak to your GP about IBS, they might ask you about your symptoms, including:
- What symptoms you’ve been experiencing
- Whether they come and go or are constant
- How often you get them
- If you notice they happen after eating certain foods
- How long you’ve had the symptoms
Before your appointment, it can help to write down your symptoms, including when they happen and anything that seems to trigger them.
Your GP might also feel your tummy to check for lumps or swelling.
Myth
Getting diagnosed or treated involves a lot of tests
Fact
IBS is primarily diagnosed through your symptoms. You rarely need a long list of invasive tests to get an IBS diagnosis. Doctors often diagnose IBS based on your description of symptoms and their impact on your life. You might need some blood tests to help rule out other conditions.
There isn’t a specific test to diagnose IBS, but your GP might arrange some tests to rule out other conditions, such as:
- A blood test to check for problems like coeliac disease
- A poo sample test to check for infections or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
If your GP thinks you have IBS, they’ll explain what it is and go through the treatment options with you.
Managing & treating IBS
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for managing IBS, but there are plenty of ways to help ease your symptoms if you’ve been diagnosed with the condition.
It’s important to speak to a GP if:
- Changes to your diet and medicines to ease symptoms aren’t helping
- You need to avoid a lot of foods to manage your symptoms
Your GP might refer you to a dietitian or specialist for more tailored advice and suggest other treatments to try.
You may wish to:
- Cook homemade meals with fresh ingredients whenever possible
- Keep a food diary to track meals and symptoms, helping identify triggers
- Find ways to relax, as stress can worsen symptoms
- Exercise regularly
You may wish to avoid:
- Delaying or skipping meals
- Eating too quickly
- Consuming lots of fatty, spicy, or processed foods
- Having more than 3 portions of fresh fruit a day (one portion = 80g)
- Drinking more than 3 cups of tea or coffee daily
- Consuming excessive alcohol or fizzy drinks
Treatment for IBS
If over-the-counter medicines aren’t helping, a GP might prescribe medicines to help with IBS symptoms. Make sure to read the patient information leaflet for any medicines you take.
If you have severe symptoms or other treatments aren’t helping with your symptoms, your GP might refer you to a specialist or suggest psychological therapies, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT can help you manage everyday stress or anxious feelings that may trigger your symptoms and improve how you cope with IBS.
To help avoid bloating, cramps and flatulence, you may wish to try to:
- Limit the amount of foods that are hard to digest, like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, beans, onions and dried fruit
- Avoid products containing artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol
You can also speak to a pharmacist about medicines that may help, and are suitable for medically confirmed IBS, like Buscopan IBS relief or peppermint oil.
Buscopan IBS relief contains hyoscine butylbromide. It’s important to make sure you read the label before use. Hyoscine butylbromide works by targeting the smooth muscles in your abdomen, interrupting the signals that cause your gut muscles to cramp.
By relaxing these contractions, it can help to ease abdominal discomfort associated with IBS, providing relief so you can feel more comfortable.
If you have diarrhoea, visit our guide on how to manage the symptoms.
To help relieve constipation, you can try to:
- Drink plenty of water to help soften your poo
- Include soluble fibre in your diet – good options include oats, pulses, carrots, peeled potatoes and linseeds (whole or ground). Government advice is to include 30g of fibre in our diet. If you don’t usually have fibre in your diet, then make sure you introduce it gradually. We’ve put together some advice to help you add fibre to your diet
- Exercise regularly and try to live an active lifestyle
- Eat a healthy balanced diet
- Limit alcohol intake
- Improve your toilet habits by doing things such as keeping to a regular time and place, giving yourself plenty of time to use the toilet, and not delaying if you feel the urge to poo
You can also speak to a pharmacist about laxatives that might help.
Living with IBS
Living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can feel challenging at times, but with support, it’s possible to manage your symptoms.
IBS is often a lifelong condition, but many people find ways to manage their symptoms effectively with diet, healthy lifestyle factors, medicines and support from healthcare professionals.
While it might take some time to discover what works best for you, small adjustments can make a big difference.
Myth
IBS can lead to serious health problems like cancer
Fact
IBS doesn’t increase your risk of cancer or other serious diseases. Although some IBS symptoms overlap with those of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), IBS is a separate condition and doesn’t lead to cancer or IBD.
If you’re going out, you can plan ahead by checking for accessible toilets, especially if you experience unpredictable symptoms. If IBS symptoms strike while you’re out, you can buy a key to access some public toilets.
Everyday stress can worsen IBS symptoms, so finding time to relax is important. Activities like yoga or meditation can help.
If everyday stress or anxious feelings feel unmanageable, make sure to speak to your GP.
Regular exercise, even something as simple as a daily walk, can help ease symptoms and support overall health. However, make sure to speak to your GP before starting any new forms of exercise if you have not exercised in a while.
Sharing your experiences with people who understand can be comforting. The IBS Network offers online forums and local support groups where you can connect with others who have similar experiences.
If general diet tips haven’t worked, your GP might refer you to an NHS dietitian for more tailored advice. Dietitians can suggest changes to help manage your symptoms, including introducing a low FODMAP diet.
FODMAP is an acronym that stands for ‘fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols’, which are essentially all scientific names for types of carbohydrates.
This diet focuses on avoiding foods that are harder for the gut to digest, like certain types of:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Dairy products
- Wheat-based foods
If you’re considering a private dietitian, it’s important to make sure they’re registered with the British Dietetic Association (BDA) for trusted support.
IBS & your mental health
Living with IBS can sometimes affect your mood, especially if symptoms make it harder to work, socialise or go about your daily life. For some people, anxious feelings can also trigger or worsen IBS symptoms like diarrhoea, constipation or nausea, particularly during times of stress. This is linked to the gut-brain connection, the way your gut and brain communicate with each other. Instead of trying to eliminate everyday stress entirely, focusing on how you manage it can make a big difference. Here are some tips to help you reduce everyday stress and feel more in control:
Identify your stressors
Think about what’s causing everyday stress in your life. Are there things you can change or manage differently?
Try relaxation techniques
Breathing exercises, mindfulness or activities you find calming can help.
Make time for yourself
Spend time with friends, family, or on hobbies you enjoy. Taking regular breaks to do things you love can help improve your mood.
Stay active
Exercise like yoga, walking, running or swimming can help reduce everyday stress and support overall wellbeing.
If everyday stress, low mood or anxious feelings are making it harder to manage your IBS or affecting your daily life, make sure to speak to your GP.
They can guide you toward the right support, whether that’s therapy, resources or other interventions to help you feel better.
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Frequently asked questions
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all list of foods to avoid with IBS, as everyone’s triggers are different. However, some people with IBS find that certain foods can make their symptoms worse. Common culprits include:
- High-FODMAP foods – like onions, garlic, and certain fruits like apples and pears which can be harder to digest
- Dairy products like milk, cheese and cream may cause discomfort
- Fried or fatty foods – like chips or pastries
- Caffeine and fizzy drinks – coffee and energy drinks may worsen diarrhoea or bloating
- Artificial sweeteners (especially sorbitol) are often found in sugar-free gum or sweets
It’s important to note that not everyone with IBS gets their symptoms triggered by these foods. Keeping a food diary can help you figure out your triggers. It’s important to have a balanced diet, so make sure you speak to your GP before making any significant dietary changes. If you’re unsure, a dietitian can guide you in managing your symptoms while maintaining a balanced diet.
IBS can feel different for everyone, but common feelings can include:
- Abdominal pain or cramping – often described as a dull ache, sharp pain, or spasm, usually in the lower belly
- Bloating – a feeling of fullness or swelling in the stomach, which can be uncomfortable or even painful
- Changes in bowel movements – like diarrhoea, constipation or a mix of both
- Urgency – a sudden, strong need to go to the toilet
- Incomplete emptying – feeling like you haven’t fully emptied your bowels
Pain might shift to different parts of your stomach and can be triggered by food or everyday stress. Symptoms often come and go, with flare-ups that vary in intensity.
If you’re struggling with symptoms, keeping track of what you eat and how you feel can help identify patterns.
No, IBS and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) aren’t the same. While they both affect the digestive system, they are completely different conditions.
IBS is a functional disorder, meaning it affects how your gut works, but it doesn’t cause inflammation or damage to the digestive system. Symptoms can include stomach pain, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation.
IBD refers to a group of conditions, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which cause inflammation in the digestive system. IBD can lead to more serious complications like ulcers in the bowel, bleeding from the bottom, or damage to the gut lining.
If you’re unsure about your symptoms, it’s important to speak to a GP. They can run tests to rule out IBD or other conditions and guide you toward treatments for your symptoms.
IBS isn’t curable, but there are ways to manage the condition and reduce symptoms. Many people find they can keep their symptoms under control and improve their quality of life by making changes to their diet, managing everyday stress and using medications or therapies. Because IBS is different for everyone, it might take time to figure out what works best for you.
IBS doesn’t typically cause blood in your poo. If you notice blood, it’s important to speak to a GP urgently, as this could be a sign of another condition, such as haemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or something more serious.
While IBS can cause symptoms like diarrhoea, constipation, bloating and stomach pain, blood in your poo is not one of them and should always be checked by a healthcare professional.
The exact cause of IBS isn’t known, but it has been linked to a family history of IBS. Research suggests that IBS can sometimes run in families, which could be due to shared environments or learned behaviours around diet. The role of genetics in the development of IBS isn’t well understood. More research is needed to help understand this. Other factors, like overall gut health, everyday stress levels and past infections, can also contribute to IBS. If you’re worried about your risk or symptoms, make sure to speak to your GP for advice and support.
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