Common irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms

The main symptoms of IBS are:

• stomach pain or cramps – usually worse after eating and better after doing a poo
• bloating – your tummy may feel uncomfortably full and swollen
• diarrhoea – you may have watery poo and sometimes need to poo suddenly
• constipation – you may strain when pooing and feel like you cannot empty your bowels fully

There may be days when your symptoms are better and days when they're worse (flare-ups). They may be triggered by food or drink.

Other symptoms of IBS

IBS can also cause:

• farting (flatulence)
• passing mucus from your bottom
• tiredness and a lack of energy
• feeling sick (nausea)
• backache
• problems peeing – like needing to pee often, sudden urges to pee, and feeling like you cannot fully empty your bladder
• not always being able to control when you poo (incontinence)

What happens at your GP appointment

Your GP will ask about your symptoms, such as:

• what symptoms you have
• if they come and go
• how often you get them
• when you get them (for example, after eating certain foods)
• how long you've had them

Your GP may also feel your tummy to check for lumps or swelling.

Tests for IBS

There's no test for IBS, but you might need some tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.

Your GP may arrange:

• a blood test to check for problems like coeliac disease
• tests on a sample of your poo to check for infections and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

You won't usually need further tests in hospital unless your GP isn't sure what the problem is.

What happens if you're diagnosed with IBS

If your GP thinks you have IBS, they'll talk to you about what it is and what the treatment options are.

It might be difficult to take in everything they tell you.

If you're unsure about something afterwards, write down any questions you have and make another appointment to go over them.

The IBS Network also has online information you might find useful.

There's no single diet or medicine that works for everyone with IBS. But there are lots of things that can help if you have been diagnosed with it.

General tips to relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms

How to ease bloating, cramps and farting

• eat oats (such as porridge) regularly
• eat up to 1 tablespoon of linseeds a day
• avoid foods that are hard to digest (like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, beans, onions and dried fruit)
• avoid products containing a sweetener called sorbitol
• ask a pharmacist about medicines that can help, like Buscopan or peppermint oil

How to reduce diarrhoea

• cut down on high-fibre foods like wholegrain foods (such as brown bread and brown rice), nuts and seeds
• avoid products containing a sweetener called sorbitol
• ask a pharmacist about medicines that can help, like Imodium (loperamide)

How to relieve constipation

• drink plenty of water to help make your poo softer
• increase how much soluble fibre you eat – good foods include oats, pulses, carrots, peeled potatoes and linseeds
• ask a pharmacist about medicines that can help (laxatives), like Fybogel or Celevac

Seeing a dietitian for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

A GP may refer you to an NHS dietitian if general diet tips for IBS, such as avoiding foods that trigger your symptoms, are not helping.

They can suggest other changes you can make to your diet to ease your symptoms.

Low FODMAP diet

A dietitian may recommend a diet called a low FODMAP diet.

This involves avoiding foods that are not easily broken down by the gut, such as some types of:

• fruit and vegetables
• milk
• wheat products

Private dietitians

If you want to see a dietitian privately, make sure they're registered with the British Dietetic Association (BDA).

IBS medicines from a GP

If pharmacy medicines are not helping, a GP may prescribe a stronger medicine, such as:

• amitriptyline
• citalopram

These are antidepressants, but they can also help ease IBS symptoms.

They may take a few weeks to start working and can cause side effects.

Your GP may refer you to a specialist if you have severe symptoms and other medicines have not helped.

Psychological therapies for IBS

If you have had IBS for a long time and other treatments are not helping, a GP may refer you for a talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

This can help if stress or anxiety is triggering your symptoms. It can also help you cope with your condition better.

If you prefer, you can refer yourself directly to a psychological therapies service without seeing a GP.

These offer psychological therapies like CBT for common mental health problems like stress, anxiety and depression.

Find out more about psychological therapies on the NHS

Support from The IBS Network

The IBS Network is the national charity for people with IBS.

It provides:

• information and advice about living with IBS
• local IBS support groups
• an online forum where you can chat to other people with IBS