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