Keeping a Symptom Diary...There is no specific test for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is an illness based on symptoms. The goal of treatment is to manage those symptoms. Keeping a written record...
Living With An Invisible Illness...Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and frustrating disease with fluctuating symptoms. Many of those symptoms are difficult to talk about, and from the outside, it may appear that...
Living With IBS...Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an illness that affects both your physical and mental health. It can be challenging to manage your symptoms and their impact. But doing so can...
Does IBS Have A Cure?...IBS is typically considered a lifelong condition with exacerbations and remissions. Some people will recover completely. Management of symptoms will improve the outcome. Establishing realistic expectations for managing IBS is...
Biofeedback...Biofeedback is a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It involves retraining the body to control certain responses. When using biofeedback, sensors are placed...
Hypnotherapy...Hypnotherapy is a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It involves guided hypnosis and is performed by a trained professional. Hypnotherapy may improve communication...
Peppermint Oil, Herbal, and Homeopathic Remedies...Many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) use herbal and homeopathic remedies to help manage their symptoms. These may be used in combination with traditional medicines (complementary medicine) or as...
Acupuncture...Acupuncture is a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is also a type of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). TCM has been around for...
Complementary & Alternative Medicine...Some people use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as additional treatment methods for managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A complementary therapy is one used alongside traditional treatments. An example would...
Antidepressant Drugs for IBS...For people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), symptoms can be difficult to manage. Recurring symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits interfere with daily life. In addition to...
Antispasmodics...Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause a number of symptoms related to the gut. Belly pain is a common symptom many people with IBS face. Having belly pain at least...
Antidiarrheals for IBS...For people living with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), antidiarrheal drugs are an important treatment option that can help improve quality of life. These drugs can decrease the number...
Xifaxan and Other Antibiotics...The overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the intestines is one of the factors that is believed to cause or trigger irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Because of this, gut-specific antibiotics are...
Viberzi (eluxadoline)...Viberzi (eluxadoline) is a prescription drug for adults with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). Viberzi has been shown to help relieve diarrhea and abdominal pain from IBS-D. Viberzi is...
Lotronex (alosetron HCl)...Lotronex (alosetron HCl) is a prescription medicine for women with severe chronic irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). Lotronex may help women who have severe diarrhea from IBS, who have...
Linzess...Linzess is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Linzess is not a laxative, although both laxatives and drugs like Linzess work to...
Amitiza (lubiprostone)...Amitiza (lubiprostone) is a prescription medicine approved to treat IBS-C in women 18 years of age and older. Amitiza has been proven to help address the overall symptoms of IBS-C...
Medications...The goal of treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is to manage symptoms and, in turn, improve quality of life. Treatment generally includes a combination of therapies, and there are several...
Fiber and Laxatives...After other conditions are ruled out and a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is made, treatments to manage the symptoms are generally categorized by gut-based strategies or central (brain-gut)...
Probiotics...Probiotics are often used as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Probiotics, also called “good bacteria,” are defined as live microorganisms that are similar to the beneficial bacteria found...