Although there is no specific cure for IBS, there are a number of things that can be done to help.

For most people with IBS, self-help is the initial step to try to improve symptoms.

People whose main symptom is diarrhoea should avoid irritants such as tea, coffee, alcohol and spicy food. Some people also find that sorbitol, an artificial sweetener can also cause diarrhoea.

For people with constipation, it is important to eat plenty of fibre, such as fruit and vegetables. On the other hand, if bloating or wind is a problem, cutting out gas-producing foods such as beans can help significantly.

If you are uncertain if specific foods are triggers for IBS, it may help to cut out these foods to see if symptoms improve, then reintroduce them, to see if symptoms return.

It’s also important to maintain your fluid intake, (around six to eight glasses of water a day or so that your urine is no darker than straw coloured). For people with constipation this also helps the fibre to work and for people with diarrhoea it replaces lost fluids.

Taking regular, moderate exercise helps maintain bowel habit and can alse help reduce stress which can be a trigger for some people.

If stress is the trigger for IBS, psychological treatment or learning stress management techniques can be beneficial. It may help to keep a diary comparing symptoms with life events to see if this is the case.

There are also some over-the-counter treatments available, although there is no one medicine that improves IBS in the long term, but they may relieve some symptoms in the short term.

For people with diarrhoea, using anti-diarrhoea medicines such as loperamide (eg Imodium) may help in the short term. They should be taken as needed, not on a regular basis.

For constipation, a bulk-forming laxative, such as bran or ispaghula husk (eg Fybogel), can be helpful if it is hard to get enough fibre. Lactulose is also an alternative to bulk-forming agents, it increases the amount of water absorbed in the large bowel. Laxatives that stimulate the bowels (eg senna) should not be used for more than a week at a time, because they can cause constipation in the long term. Antispasmodic medicines, such as mebeverine hydrochloride (eg Colofac) and peppermint oil capsules, may help with pain and wind.

If self-help treatments do not control the symptoms, it may help to seek advice from a GP. He or she may prescribe other medicines or make a referral to a dietician when this is appropriate.

For symptoms associated with anxiety or depression, a GP may make a referral to a specialist, for psychological therapy or stress management. Antidepressants or medicines which are used to reduce anxiety may also be recommended