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