Once you’ve been diagnosed, it’s time to seek treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. One of the markers of IBS is that it doesn’t have a specific known cause. That means there is no one treatment for the problem. While that may sound discouraging, the good news is that there are many different treatment options to try depending on your symptoms.

First, eliminating caffeine can be helpful. Caffeine and other stimulants can cause the bowel to become more irritated. This one step can help to reduce problems with IBS. While it may be difficult to cut out that morning cup of coffee, it can make your symptoms much improved.

You may also want to add fiber to your diet. Most people don’t get enough fiber throughout the day. If you increase the fiber in your diet you can help your digestion to become more regular. This can improve constipation greatly.

Eat smaller meals. Large meals have been shown to aggravate irritable bowel syndrome. By eating more frequently but eating smaller meals you can actually relieve your body of some of the symptoms.

Eating less fat can also help to eliminate some of the symptoms of IBS. Fatty meals can often trigger a sudden urge to go to the bathroom. By lightening up meals, you may find that your symptoms are somewhat relieved.

For some people spicy foods trigger problems with irritable bowel syndrome. You may need to stop eating very hot, spicy foods in order to regulate your bowels. The important thing is to know your own triggers and avoid or eliminate them.

You might want to keep a food diary for some time to pay attention to what you’re eating and how it affects your digestive system. You’ll be able to identify patters such as every time you eat a specific food you have diarrhea. This can help you to custom design a diet that works best for you.

Reducing stress can also help to improve symptoms from IBS. This can mean eliminating some of the things that are causing your stress. But sometimes that’s hard to do. It can also mean learning some techniques for handling stress such as exercise, meditation, and social outlets.

Finally, there are medications that can help you to manage symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, and gas. Many people find that they are helpful. You’ll need to talk with your doctor about what’s best for you. Treatment for irritable bowel syndrome can help eliminate symptoms and help you enjoy your life.