• Healthy State
  • Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search magnifying glass icon
Close Search X icon
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Woman holding her stomach

How Do You Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

May 17, 2021 |
By Ryan Himes, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, is more common than people think. According to aboutIBS.org, IBS affects between 25 and 45 million people in the United States. Of the people who have IBS, two out of three people are female. While some people with IBS might experience mild symptoms, others might find their symptoms inconvenient for daily life. Luckily, there are different types of treatments to help alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms that come with IBS.

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a condition that occurs in the colon or large intestine. IBS produces symptoms in the intestines as often as three days a week for at least three months. Common symptoms of IBS include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Bloating
  • Cramping
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation

What types of treatment are available?

While there is no cure for IBS itself, there are several ways to treat IBS symptoms. These treatments can range from lifestyle changes to cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s important to contact your primary care physician if you are experiencing these symptoms frequently. They will be able to assess your situation and provide you with the best treatment plan.

  • Lifestyle changes: Being mindful of your diet is often the best way to relieve your symptoms. If you experience diarrhea, it is best to limit your caffeine consumption or foods high in fat as they stimulate colonic contractions. Limiting foods that contain dairy can help with gas, while limiting carbohydrates can help with abdominal pain. Making an appointment with a registered dietitian can help you create a meal plan that’s right for you.
  • Medication: If changing your diet hasn’t helped, your doctor might suggest medication as the next step. Your doctor may prescribe you a medication based on the predominant symptom you are experiencing. Some medicines might help control intestinal spasms, diarrhea or constipation. Antibiotics can help change the composition of the bacteria in your gut to help with the digestion of carbohydrates. A low-dose antidepressant may also be prescribed to help regulate the gut’s nervous system reaction to a particular food. As always, it’s essential to inform your doctor of any medications you are currently taking.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Stress and anxiety are often linked with the worsening of IBS symptoms. Treating the cause of stress can often lead to relief for the frequency and severity of symptoms. A mental health professional can help you identify and work through problems to relieve emotional stress.

Irritable bowel syndrome can be an uncomfortable topic to talk about. However, if you are experiencing frequent and painful intestinal symptoms, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor as soon as possible.

To set up an appointment with a primary care physician, please visit:https://www.ochsner.org/servic... 

Tags
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS

You may also be interested in:

Bloated Getty Images 1143248022
Prevention & Wellness
August 9, 2022

What Causes Bloating and How Can I Prevent It?

Because bloating can be caused by so many different things, the exact cause can be difficult to identify.
By Ryan Truxillo, MD
Lemongrass Tea for Digestive Health
Food & Fitness
August 9, 2022

7 Healthy Drinks That Improve Digestion

To improve your digestive health, consider adding one or more of the following healthy drinks to your diet.
By Alexis Weilbaecher, RD, LDN
Healthy Eating 882894470
Prevention & Wellness
August 9, 2022

How to Build a Stronger Stomach

Tips everyone can follow to help toughen up their gut.
By Aldo Russo, MD

email envelop icon Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok

Healthy living tips newsletters, delivered to your inbox.

Sign Up

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Healthy State
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

newsletter icon

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

newsletter icon

Select the newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition
newsletter icon

Let us know where to send your newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:
To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
To Your Health- Skin Deep:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:
newsletter icon

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox.

Ochsner Health System
magnifying glass icon
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide