An expert guide to keeping you regular

About Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a very common group of symptoms involving abnormal bowel habits that affects between 10-20% of the UK population at some point in their lives − possibly more, as many people don’t go and see their GP about it.

There’s no cure for IBS but the symptoms can be controlled with lifestyle changes and medication. It’s not life threatening but it can have a big impact on your quality of life.

Symptoms can come and go and tend to flare up and then settle down after two to four days. They commonly include:

• Constipation (sometimes alternating with diarrhoea)
• Diarrhoea (sometimes alternating with constipation)
• Bloating/visible swelling of the abdomen
• Stomach cramps (these usually go away after the bowel is emptied)
• Wind
• Abdominal pain
• Feeing that you haven’t completely emptied your bowels

Others symptoms associated with IBS include:

• Tiredness
• Depression
• Lower back pain
• Nausea
• Frequent need to pass urine

If you suspect you may have IBS, try keeping a diary of your symptoms − as this will help your GP in making a diagnosis.

For more information please visit: www.ibs-relief.co.uk