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