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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