Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be painful, annoying, and embarrassing. There is currently no cure for this complex condition, and managing its symptoms and flare-ups is tricky. So, coping mechanisms are a constant need.
What are the symptoms of IBS?
IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder in which your gut becomes more sensitive, and the muscles of your digestive system have abnormal contractions. People with IBS usually have abdominal pain along with frequent changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between both). Other common symptoms include
- bloating and gas
- urge to move the bowels, but being unable to do so
- incomplete bowel movements
- urgent need to move the bowels.
Because no one knows what causes IBS, it is impossible to prevent it. Once you have been diagnosed, the goal is to focus on managing the condition. You can do this by identifying specific triggers of your IBS symptoms and then adopting strategies to make them less severe and frequent.
The most common approaches are dietary changes — eliminating or reducing problem foods — and stress management techniques, such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Certain supplements and over-the-counter and prescription medications also can help. Your doctor can help you implement these strategies and advise what medications to take.
Coping with IBS day-to-day
People often need additional assistance, especially when it comes to coping with the awkwardness and emotional turmoil of living with IBS. Here are some ways to get the extra support you may require.
Join a support group. Talking with others who are dealing with IBS can help you cope with your disorder’s stress and anxiety. The online community Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self Help and Support Group offers moral support and information, including news about recent studies on IBS.
Prepare for public outings. Don’t let IBS keep you from enjoying an active social life. Being mindful about your IBS can help you avoid potential problems. For example, always note the nearest bathroom and try to sit close to it. When eating out, try to review the menu in advance. If there are no agreeable meals, you can eat beforehand. Also, don’t be afraid to call it an early night if your IBS is acting up. People will understand if you say you are simply not feeling well.
Share with someone. Not everyone needs to know about your IBS, but tell a few friends and coworkers so they can cover for you when symptoms appear.
Have an emergency kit on hand. Always keep spare underwear, clothing, toilet paper, wet wipes, and a large plastic bag on hand just in case.
Don’t rush bowel movements. This can help reduce the stress of having to use the bathroom all the time. Set aside a regular time or times each day to have a bowel movement. Give yourself the time you need so you can relax. When you push, be sure to avoid excessive straining. It can help to elevate your feet using a footstool.
FAQs
Tenapanor is a proven, safe, and efficacious treatment option for IBS-C subjects. It provides global IBS symptom relief with both an increase in complete spontaneous bowel movements and improved abdominal pain. Tenapanor has minimum systemic availability and minimal adverse effects.
How to calm down IBS flare up? ›
IBS pain is difficult to stop instantly, but things like OTC pain medication, a heating pad, gentle abdominal massage, deep breathing, yoga, and peppermint oil may help symptoms resolve more quickly.
How do you mentally deal with IBS? ›
Reduce stress
Pain is also an emotional experience, so relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and stress reduction techniques may help improve quality of life for people with uncomfortable symptoms of IBS.
What is the ultimate cure for IBS? ›
There's no cure for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), but there are ways to calm your symptoms down and get some relief. First, your doctor will likely suggest changes to your diet to see if your symptoms get better. Medicines, both over-the-counter and prescription, can also help.
What is the new medication for IBS in 2024? ›
(Nasdaq: ARDX), a biopharmaceutical company founded with a mission to discover, develop and commercialize innovative, first-in-class medicines that meet significant unmet medical needs, today announced that data supporting additional positive clinical observations of IBSRELA® (tenapanor) was presented at the 2024 ...
What is the main cause of irritable bowel syndrome? ›
It can occur after a bacterial infection or a parasitic infection (giardiasis) of the intestines. This is called postinfectious IBS. There may also be other triggers, including stress. The intestine is connected to the brain by hormone and nerve signals that go back and forth between the bowel and the brain.
What is the emotional cause of IBS? ›
Although psychological problems like anxiety don't cause the digestive disorder, people with IBS may be more sensitive to emotional troubles. Strong emotions like stress, anxiety, and depression trigger chemicals in the brain that turn on pain signals in your gut that may cause your colon to react.
Are bananas good for IBS? ›
Unripe bananas are low in FODMAPS and therefore a better choice for people with IBS — although they're not as sweet or soft as ripe bananas. However, as bananas ripen, they accumulate a type of FODMAP called oligofructans. Therefore, ripe bananas are considered a high FODMAP food (6, 7 ).
What foods help calm IBS? ›
Choose easier-to-digest proteins, such as eggs, chicken, turkey, fish, extra-firm tofu, and plain lactose-free greek yogurt. Lower-fat cooking methods, such as baking, roasting, steaming, boiling, and sautéing, can also help you avoid uncomfortable symptoms.
What is the most effective drug for IBS? ›
Rifaximin improves overall IBS-D symptoms. Rifaximin is a global treatment, meaning that it can help multiple IBS symptoms.
It is not possible to completely cure IBS. Treatments for IBS tend to focus on a person's symptoms but not yet the cause of their condition. However, people with IBS can use some treatments and strategies to manage their symptoms. Doing so may help people have periods of relief from their IBS symptoms.
What is the breakthrough of IBS? ›
Enbiosis has made breakthrough in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with 78% of the IBS patients who followed microbiome-based diets seeing symptoms improve dramatically.
