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