How diet changes can help ease your IBS symptoms

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common, chronic gut-brain disorder. Everyone’s IBs experience is different, however IBS can be difficult to live with, especially when symptoms flare unpredictably. Nevertheless, small and manageable diet changes can often make a big difference in easing symptoms like bloating, cramps, and discomfort. GPs and dietitians can guide patients through safe and effective strategies. At Doctify we help patients connect with trusted professionals.

What Is IBS and Why Diet Matters

IBS is a long-term gut-brain condition that affects how the bowel works, but doesn’t cause structural damage. This means that while the gut functions abnormally, tests reveal no visible signs of damage or disease. Many people confuse IBS with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), however IBS is a different condition that does not cause permanent intestinal inflammation. The exact cause of IBS is still unknown. But, the periods of symptoms may be triggered by certain foods, stress, or hormonal changes. It’s important to identify which are the triggers each patient has in order to prevent the long periods of symptoms from reappearing. But don’t be afraid, IBS is common, and personalised management helps most people live well with it.

Symptoms

Everyone’s IBs experience is unique. Symptoms may last a few days, weeks, or months. Some patients can have symptoms more or less severe. The IBS symptoms include:

• Recurrent abdominal pain
• Painful stomach cramps
• Bloating, gassiness
• Mucus in the stool
• Sudden urgency to visit the restroom 
• Constant changes in bowel habits: diarrhea or constipation

Warning signs: blood in stools, significant weight loss, or severe abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhoea.

The Role of the Low-FODMAP Diet

FODMAPs are a group of short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and are then fermented by gut bacteria in the large intestine, producing gas and water. The acronym stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols. A low-FODMAP diet, which restricts these types of carbohydrates, can help people with IBS and other functional gastrointestinal disorders manage their symptoms. Nonetheless, you don’t have to do this alone, GPs or dietitians are here to help you.

How the Low-FODMAP Diet Works

A low-FODMAP diet is a temporary, restrictive eating plan designed to identify foods that trigger gastrointestinal symptoms. The interesting part of this process is that it helps regain control without cutting out everything unnecessarily.

• Phase 1: Elimination. Removing high-FODMAP foods such as onions, garlic, beans, and certain fruits for 2-6 weeks to reduce digestive distress.
  
• Phase 2: Reintroduction. Gradually adding FODMAP foods from each category one by one to identify personal triggers.
  
• Phase 3: Personalisation. Based on your reactions during the reintroduction phase, start building a long-term diet that avoids only the foods that cause issues. 

Other Helpful Diet and Lifestyle Adjustments

Here are other helpful diet a lifestyle adjustments that can help you through the process of IBS:

• Eating smaller and more regular meals. Do not eat meals at unusual hours.
  
• Reducing caffeine, alcohol, and highly processed foods.
  
• Staying hydrated, a woman should drink approximately 2.7 liters of water and a man should drink approximately 3.7 liters of water each day.
  
• Including soluble fibre in the diet (e.g., oats, psyllium husk) for gut comfort.
  
• Stress management and exercise to support digestion and reduce flare-ups.

When to See a GP

If symptoms are frequent, severe, or worsening, or if new symptoms appear, such as blood in stools or significant weight loss, you will need an urgent medical review by a GP. GPs can rule out other conditions, support dietary changes, and suggest medication if needed. Doctify makes it easy to find GPs experienced in IBS management.

Conclusion

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a frequent disorder, which involves the gut and the brain. Fortunately, IBS does not cause structural damage. The gut might not be functioning as normal, but tests reveal no visible signs of damage. Everyone’s IBs experience is distinctive. Symptoms may last a few days, weeks, or months. Symptoms can change over time and may get more or less severe. That is why it is important to incorporate a good diet. Diet changes, particularly a structured low-FODMAP plan, accompanied with lifestyle adjustments can greatly reduce IBS symptoms. Patients don’t have to figure this out alone, medical guidance makes the process safer and more effective. We invite you to book a consultation with a GP via Doctify to start building a personalised IBS management plan.

Feel free to consult a GP through Doctify for personalised advice whenever you want, we will be happy to help you! Find the best GPs in the United Kingdom or search for the best specialists globally:

• GPs in the United Arab Emirates
• GPs in Germany
• GPs in Austria
• GPs in Ireland
• GPs in Australia