Additional advice
For mild IBS-type symptoms, customers might find it helpful to adopt the following lifestyle changes:1,2
- Take regular exercise – it can help to reduce symptoms
- Make time for leisure activities and to relax if symptoms are triggered by stress
- Keep a food diary to identify trigger foods they should avoid
- Try taking a probiotic (food supplement) for 4 weeks – it may help
- Stay hydrated – drink plenty of fluids, but cut down on alcohol and fizzy drinks, caffeinated tea and coffee
- Do not delay or skip meals, or eat too quickly
- To relieve IBS-related constipation, eat more soluble fibre (e.g. oats, pulses, carrots, peeled potatoes and linseeds)
- Cut back on spicy, fatty and processed foods.
When to refer:3
- Refer to a GP if you feel further assessment/tests are needed. Refer for an urgent appointment if the customer:
- Has lost a lot of weight for no reason
- Is bleeding from their bottom or has bloody diarrhoea
- Feels a hard lump or swelling in their stomach
- Experiences shortness of breath, noticeable heartbeats (palpitations) and pale skin.
RKT-M-35732 Date of preparation: October 2023