How is irritable bowel syndrome treated?

IBS can cause abdominal pain linked with changes in bowel habits, including diarrhoea, constipation, or both. Bloating and excessive burping may also occur. A GP will ask about the pattern, duration, food triggers, medicines, stress, and family history, then decide whether further assessment is needed. The aim is to reduce troublesome symptoms while keeping meals and daily life manageable.

Food restriction is not automatically the answer. A symptom diary can help connect meals with pain, bloating, or stool changes without removing many foods at once.

Start with regular meals, enough fluids, gradual fibre changes, movement, and a routine for using the toilet. A nutrition counsellor can help adapt food choices safely, especially when several foods seem to trigger symptoms. Your clinician may suggest treatments for diarrhoea, constipation, pain, or bloating according to your pattern. Food intolerance testing is not suitable for everyone, so discuss its purpose before arranging it. A GP Consultation can help when symptoms are recurring or difficult to control.

Book an assessment if bowel symptoms persist, repeatedly disturb sleep, limit eating, or interfere with work and daily activities. Seek prompt medical help for blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, fever, persistent vomiting, severe or worsening abdominal pain, a swollen rigid abdomen, or a new change in bowel habit that does not settle. These features need assessment because they are not explained by IBS alone.

Which symptom pattern do I have? Should I change fibre or other foods, and how will we check that I am still eating adequately? Do I need tests or a referral?