Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
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- What is IBS?
- Symptoms of IBS
- Causes of IBS
- Prevention of IBS
- Risk factors for IBS
- Complications of IBS
- When to see a doctor about IBS
- Diagnosis of IBS
- Conventional treatment of IBS
- Alternative/complementary treatment of IBS
- Living with IBS
- Caring for someone with IBS
Caring for someone with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Partner
The best way to help a partner with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is to be supportive and sympathetic, but also the following can be helpful too:
- Avoiding smoking inside - people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) need to be away from any cigarette smoke, as it can exacerbate their symptoms
- Eating smaller meals - help your partner to eat smaller meals by joining them in eating smaller meals, as this helps support your partner a great deal. Cooking and eating smaller meals is one way to help reduce the load on the digestive system by reducing the amount of food that needs to be digested and absorbed
- Encourage a healthy diet - a healthy diet is one which has adequate amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, protein and healthy fats and has little or no processed foods. Try to avoid buying and eating processed foods at home as this will help to prevent your partner from indulging too (and subsequently having digestive problems)
- Encourage exercise - going for walks (or joining a gym together) with your partner is a great way to bond. Exercise helps to improve circulation, reduces stress and encourages better health overall
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Friends
People who have a friend who has irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can support their friend by the following:
- Dinner parties - if you invite your friend to a dinner party, try to ensure there is food that they can eat. The best way to do this is to ask what foods are off limits for them and ensure to let them know beforehand which foods they should avoid
- Discourage alcohol - if your friend has IBS, they should be limiting alcohol intake as it can cause a worsening of symptoms, so try to make your social meetings ones that are alcohol free
Parents
Parents of a child who has irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can support their child by:
- Avoid smoking inside - people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) need to be away from any cigarette smoke, as it can exacerbate their symptoms
- Cooking smaller meals - this is one way to help reduce the load on the childs digestive system by reducing the amount of food that needs to be digested and absorbed
- Fibre - it is important to include some soluble fibre in the child's diet, slowly and a little at a time (to prevent worsening of symptoms) to help with symptoms. Studies show that a diet high in plant fibre is associated with lower incidence of IBD. Some good sources of fibre are: psyllium (this can be added to cereals and smoothies, but ensure to have adequate amounts of water to enable it to flow through the digestive system properly), vegetables, legumes and cereals
- Probiotics - introduce some probiotics to the childs diet, preferably in powder form as it can be more easily assimilated into other foods, but the tablets can also be taken if this is not successful
- Slippery elm - find creative ways to add slippery elm to foods (smoothies, breakfast cereal, muesli) in the childs diet. Slippery elm is one of the herbs most beneficial for any type of digestive disorder, but especially one in which there is irritation and damage to the intestinal wall and the intestinal mucosa
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< living with IBS Last reviewed: 28 September 2008 || Last updated: 2 February 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
