Frequently Asked Questions about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is not associated with an increased risk of cancer or a higher risk of death. It is a benign condition, although it can have a significant impact on the quality of life of people living with it. 

If symptoms persist or become particularly severe, it is advisable to speak to a GP or specialist. A range of treatment options is available and may help improve symptom control.

Yes. Both physical activity and diet can influence the severity and frequency of IBS symptoms. Regular moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling, can help improve bowel function, reduce stress and promote overall wellbeing. In many cases, this can help relieve digestive symptoms. 

Dietary changes may also be beneficial. Avoiding heavy meals, having five or six smaller meals throughout the day and limiting the consumption of ultra-processed foods, alcohol, caffeine and certain sweeteners may help improve symptoms. A low-FODMAP diet may also help reduce bloating, wind and changes in bowel habits. Ideally, this type of diet should be followed under the supervision of a qualified nutrition professional and for a limited period of time.

Yes. Stress and emotional factors can influence IBS symptoms because of the close relationship between the brain and the digestive system. This relationship, known as the gut–brain axis, is a two-way communication network through which the brain and the gut influence each other. 

In people with IBS, this communication may be altered. On the onealso affect quality of life, work performance and overall wellbeing. This can, in turn, increase stress and create a cycle in which digestive symptoms and emotional distress reinforce each other. 

For some people, addressing both digestive symptoms and associated psychological or emotional factors may therefore be beneficial. Strategies such as stress management or psychological support may help improve IBS symptoms and overall wellbeing.

Before removing gluten from your diet, it is important to rule out coeliac disease. Coeliac disease can cause symptoms similar to those of IBS, but it requires a different approach to diagnosis and treatment.  

Some people with IBS may find that avoiding gluten improves their symptoms. However, this improvement may not be caused by avoiding gluten itself, but by reducing other components found in foods that contain gluten. For example, wheat is a major source of gluten but is also rich in fructans. Fructans are a type of FODMAP carbohydrates and may trigger digestive symptoms in susceptible individuals.

No. Routine testing for SIBO is not generally recommended in all patients with IBS. Testing is usually reserved for patients with risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing SIBO. These include a history of gastrointestinal surgery, abdominal radiotherapy, or conditions that affect the small intestine and its motility, such as certain autoimmune diseases (for example, systemic sclerosis) or diabetes. The decision to test for SIBO should be made on an individual basis by a healthcare professional, taking into account each patient’s symptoms and medical history.

Not necessarily. Medication for IBS is generally used to manage symptoms during specific periods. As IBS tends to fluctuate, with periods of improvement and periods when symptoms become worse, many patients only need treatment at certain times. In other cases, medicines may be taken intermittently or adjusted according to how symptoms change over time.

Healthcare professionals may prescribe neuromodulators for some patients with IBS. Some of these medicines are also used as antidepressants.

When prescribed for IBS, these medicines are used to influence the nerve pathways involved in the communication between the gut and the brain, rather than to treat depression or anxiety. People with IBS may have increased sensitivity in the digestive system, meaning that normal stimuli can be perceived as abdominal pain or discomfort.

At doses lower than those commonly used in psychiatry, these medicines may help reduce sensitivity to intestinal pain, improve certain digestive symptoms and promote overall wellbeing. For this reason, they may be considered as a treatment option for selected patients with IBS.