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