Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, March 2009.
Answers to questions about irritable bowel syndrome
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- What are probiotics and how can they help with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?
- I've heard that a bout of food poisoning can cause irritable bowel syndrome, is this true?
- Are there any complementary medicines I can try to help with my irritable bowel syndrome symptoms?
- My son has irritable bowel syndrome and it interferes with his school life. What can I do to help him?
What are probiotics and how can they help with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?
Probiotics are a food supplement. They contain live bacteria and yeasts that can be helpful in restoring the balance of bacteria in your gut. Some people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) find them helpful in controlling their symptoms.
Explanation
Probiotics are a food supplements containing live bacteria and yeasts that help restore the balance of bacteria in your gut. Bacteria are often thought of as harmful and causing ill-health, but there are many good bacteria that live in and on your body that help keep you healthy. This is especially so in your gut. Good bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract may prevent harmful organisms from growing in your bowel or entering your body through your intestine. Some people think that taking probiotics helps to keep the levels of bacteria in your gut even, keeping it working efficiently.
You can buy probiotics as food supplements (capsules or tablets) from your pharmacist or health food shops. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your supplements and follow the recommended dosage. Probiotics can also be bought as yogurts or drinks (eg Danone Activa or Actimel).
Research into the effectiveness of probiotics in treating IBS has produced conflicting results. Some studies have found that they do help relieve symptoms of IBS, whereas others have found that they don't. It's recommended that people with IBS take probiotics for a trial period of four weeks to see how they find them. If they have made no difference to your symptoms after this time, either stop taking them or try a different brand.
If you have any questions or concerns about probiotics or IBS, talk to your GP.
Further information
- The British Dietetic Association
www.bda.uk.com
Sources
- Irritable bowel syndrome. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. www.cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 4 August 2008
- Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: Diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome in primary care. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), February 2008, NICE clinical guideline 61. www.nice.org.uk
- Probiotics. The British Dietetic Association. www.bda.uk.com, accessed 4 July 2008
I've heard that a bout of food poisoning can cause irritable bowel syndrome, is this true?
Yes, after a bout of food poisoning (gastroenteritis) there is a risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), particularly when it is caused by certain bacteria.
Explanation
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of your stomach and intestines caused by an infection. In the UK about one in five people are affected by gastroenteritis each year.
There are several different types of infection that cause gastroenteritis, for example viruses, bacteria or parasites. It's thought that having a bout of bacterial gastroenteritis in particular puts you at risk of developing IBS. The most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis is food poisoning, specifically:
- salmonella, often from dairy, eggs and poultry
- campylobacter, often from dairy, meats and poultry
- bacillus, from reheated rice
- vibrio, often from seafood
- Escherichia coli (E. coli), often from minced beef
Approximately one in 14 people who have had bacterial gastroenteritis will go on to develop symptoms of IBS. You are at particular risk if you are female or if you had diarrhoea for a long period of time during your bout of gastroenteritis.
If you have any question or concerns about IBS or gastroenteritis, talk to your GP.
Further information
- Food Standards Agency
www.eatwell.gov.uk
Sources
- Gastroenteritis. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. www.cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 31 July 2008
- Gastroenteritis and irritable bowel syndrome. GP Notebook. www.gpnotebook.co.uk, accessed 4 August 2008
Are there any complementary medicines I can try to help with my irritable bowel syndrome symptoms?
Complementary medicines are not recommended to treat symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Explanation
The use of complementary medicines, such as acupuncture and reflexology, to treat IBS is often not encouraged by modern doctors. However, some research has suggested that using relaxation techniques, biofeedback and herbal medicine may be helpful in controlling symptoms. The evidence is limited and more research is needed to be certain of their effectiveness, although the same could be said of many approaches to the treatment of IBS.
If you have any questions or concerns about complementary therapies and IBS, talk to your GP.
Sources
- Irritable bowel syndrome. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. www.cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 4 August 2008
- Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: Diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome in primary care. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), February 2008, NICE clinical guideline 61. www.nice.org.uk
My son has irritable bowel syndrome and it interferes with his school life. What can I do to help him?
Children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) do sometimes find that their symptoms can interfere with school. However, by keeping your child's teachers informed about his/her condition and how it affects them, you may be able to keep this disruption to a minimum.
Explanation
Having a child with IBS can be difficult, especially if their symptoms are bad enough to interfere with schooling. However, there are things you can do as a parent to make things easier for them.
It's important to let your child's school know about his or her condition, and to make sure this information filters down to their teachers. This will make it easier for them to leave classes in a hurry if they need to without drawing unnecessary attention to themselves. Also, it helps if the school nurse is aware of the situation so your child can get medicines (if needed) without having to explain themselves every time and feel embarrassed.
Some children may need to take time off school if their symptoms are particularly bad. If this happens, it's useful to set up a system whereby your child can receive school work on a regular basis to do at home. This will stop him/her falling behind, making their return to the classroom easier.
It's also important to ensure that during your child's time away from school they maintain contact with their friends. This will help to keep some normality in their life and may help take their mind off their symptoms.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child's IBS, talk to your GP.
Further information
- The Gut Trust
0114 272 32 53
www.theguttrust.org
Sources
- Coping at school. The Gut Trust. www.theguttrust.org, accessed 4 August 2008
Related topics
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: March 2009
Irritable bowel syndrome factsheet
Visit the Irritable bowel syndrome health factsheet for more information.
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