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