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