As a result, most people in the study, including those who were healthy, showed evidence of malabsorption of at least one of these sugars allergy-wheat-allergy However, unlike healthy people, those with IBS-like symptoms had greater symptoms when consuming high concentrations of lactose or the combination of fructose and sorbitol allergy-wheat-allergy In In this report, restricting intake of these sugars led to reduction in symptoms in 40% of those people with IBS-like symptoms allergy-wheat-allergy Therefore, when attempting to uncover food sensitivities, people with IBS should consider the possibility that milk, fruit juice, and dried fruit might cause problems allergy-wheat-allergy Researchers have found that that standard blood tests used to evaluate allergies do not help uncover food sensitivities associated with IBS, because IBS food sensitivities are not true allergies allergy-wheat-allergy The only practical way to evaluate which foods might trigger IBS symptoms is to avoid the foods and then reintroduce them allergy-wheat-allergy The symptoms may may get worse when you're under stress, such as when you travel, attend social events or change your daily routine allergy-wheat-allergy Your symptoms may also get worse if you don't eat right or after you've eaten a big meal allergy-wheat-allergy Some people are bothered by certain foods allergy-wheat-allergy Women who have have IBS may notice symptoms during their menstrual periods allergy-wheat-allergy Common symptoms of IBS Bloating, gas and Constipation Diarrhea, especially after eating or first thing in the morning Feeling like you still need to have a bowel movement after you've already had one Feeling a strong urge to have a bowel bowel movement Abdominal pain and cramping that may go away after having a bowel movement How is IBS diagnosed? Your doctor may start by asking you questions about your symptoms allergy-wheat-allergy If your symptoms have had a pattern over time, the pattern may make it clear to your doctor that IBS IBS is the cause allergy-wheat-allergy If your symptoms have just started, something else may be the cause allergy-wheat-allergy Your doctor may need to do some tests to make sure that your symptoms aren't caused by something other than IBS allergy-wheat-allergy Why may fiber be helpful? Fiber can be helpful because it it improves how the intestines work allergy-wheat-allergy There are 2 types of fiber: soluble and insoluble allergy-wheat-allergy Soluble fiber helps both diarrhea and constipation allergy-wheat-allergy Insoluble fiber may make diarrhea worse allergy-wheat-allergy Insoluble fiber is in fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals allergy-wheat-allergy Psyllium (a natural vegetable fiber) and oat oat bran are soluble fibers allergy-wheat-allergy You can buy psyllium (some brand names: Fiberall, Metamucil, Perdiem) at the store allergy-wheat-allergy Oat bran is in some cereals, bread or muffins allergy-wheat-allergy You can also add it to other foods allergy-wheat-allergy Increase the fiber in your diet slowly allergy-wheat-allergy Some people feel bloated bloated and have gas if they increase how much fiber they eat too quickly allergy-wheat-allergy Gas and bloating usually improve as you get used to eating more fiber allergy-wheat-allergy Do certain foods cause IBS? Some foods cause IBS allergy-wheat-allergy But some foods may make you feel worse allergy-wheat-allergy Foods that may may make symptoms worse include foods high in fat or caffeine allergy-wheat-allergy Fat and caffeine can cause your intestines to contract, which may cause cramping allergy-wheat-allergy If gas is a problem for you, you might want to avoid foods that tend to make gas worse allergy-wheat-allergy These include beans, cabbage and and some fruits, wheat & pasta allergy-wheat-allergy Keeping a diary of what you eat and what your symptoms are for a few weeks may be a good way to find out if a food bothers you allergy-wheat-allergy If you think a food makes you feel worse, try not eating it allergy-wheat-allergy But don't cut out foods unless they have caused you problems more than once allergy-wheat-allergy What about milk and milk products? If milk and other dairy products bother you, you may have lactose intolerance allergy-wheat-allergy Lactose intolerance means that your body can't digest the sugar in milk allergy-wheat-allergy This sugar sugar is called lactose allergy-wheat-allergy Dairy products may seem to make IBS symptoms worse if you're lactose intolerant allergy-wheat-allergy If this seems to be the case, you may need to limit the amount of milk and milk products in your diet allergy-wheat-allergy Talk to your family doctor if you think you you have trouble digesting dairy products allergy-wheat-allergy How can I deal with stress? Talk to your family doctor about ways to deal with stress, such as exercise, relaxation training or meditation allergy-wheat-allergy He or she may have some suggestions or may refer you to someone who can give you some ideas allergy-wheat-allergy ideas allergy-wheat-allergy Your doctor may also suggest that you talk to a counselor about things that are bothering you allergy-wheat-allergy Can my doctor prescribe medicine for IBS? Generally, medicines aren't given to prevent IBS because you'll have to deal with IBS throughout your life allergy-wheat-allergy But if you're having bad symptoms, symptoms, your doctor may prescribe medicine allergy-wheat-allergy For example, antispasmodic medicines may be prescribed to reduce cramping if your main symptom is pain allergy-wheat-allergy Hyoscyamine (some brand names: Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin) and dicyclomine (some brand names: Bentyl, Di-Spaz) help relax the spasms in the colon allergy-wheat-allergy Heating pads and hot baths baths can also be comforting allergy-wheat-allergy When diarrhea is a frequent problem, medicine such as loperamide (brand name: Imodium) may be helpful allergy-wheat-allergy Tranquilizers or sedatives can be given for short periods to treat anxiety that may be making your symptoms worse allergy-wheat-allergy Your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant for you you if your symptoms are severe and you are feeling depressed allergy-wheat-allergy Tips on controlling IBS Eat a varied diet and avoid foods high in fat allergy-wheat-allergy Drink plenty of water allergy-wheat-allergy Try eating 6 small meals a day rather than 3 larger ones allergy-wheat-allergy Learn new and better ways to | 