What is IBS and how is it managed?
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3 Answers
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of gut-brain interaction causing abdominal pain with altered bowel habit, without structural disease. Management includes a low-FODMAP trial with reintroduction, soluble fibre, antispasmodics, peppermint oil, gut-directed hypnotherapy or CBT, and stress management.
A structured low-FODMAP trial with a dietitian — 4-6 weeks of restriction followed by planned reintroduction — is the best-evidenced dietary approach. Long-term restriction is not the goal.
Gut-directed hypnotherapy and CBT have solid evidence for IBS, reflecting the gut-brain axis rather than implying the symptoms are imagined.
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