Diet

Eating causes rhythmic contractions of the colon. Normally, this may cause a person to have a bowel movement 30 to 60 minutes after a meal. In a person with IBS, the urge to defecate may come sooner and may be accompanied by pain, cramps, and diarrhea.

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Many people say their IBS symptoms are triggered by eating certain foods. As a result, treatment includes figuring out which foods are the culprits and avoiding them when you eat. Changes in diet reduce IBS symptoms in 50 to 70 percent of people.

Foods that commonly trigger IBS symptoms include:

• Dairy products
• Caffeine
• Fatty foods
• Vegetables, like beans or broccoli, that cause gas
• Foods containing the sweeteners sorbitol and fructose
• Wheat cereals
• Alcohol

Before changing your diet, take note over the course of several days which foods seem to cause problems. You may want to consult a dietitian to help you adhere to healthful eating strategies, such as:

• Drinking six to eight glasses of water a day, especially if you have diarrhea. Drinking carbonated beverages can increase discomfort from gas.
• Eating more fiber. Dietary fiber often helps reduce IBS symptoms in both patients who have constipation as well as those who have diarrhea. Whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits, and vegetables are good fiber sources. Starting a high-fiber diet may cause gas and bloating for a few weeks. Fiber supplements such as bran, psyllium derivatives, or polycarbophil (20 to 30 grams/day) may help relieve constipation and may also reduce diarrhea.
• Eating smaller meals more often or eating smaller portions. Large meals can cause cramping and diarrhea.
• Consuming probiotics, such as yogurt or acidophilus supplements. Some patients find they help reduce symptoms. Research suggests that adding "good" bacteria may help return the balance of the microflora in the bowel to normal or prevent disease-causing bacteria from attaching to the bowel wall.