      A healthy lifestyle — with a low-fat diet, exercise and avoidance of alcohol and cigarette smoking — often makes a great difference. Cresci says. Working with a registered dietitian can help you make the best food choices and maintain a balanced diet.Your doctor may find that medication is also necessary to keep your symptoms at bay. These therapies include anticholinergic medicines, which calm the spasms, and antidepressants to reduce stress. Learn more about vaccine availability. IBS symptoms and triggers can vary from person to person. Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, causes gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, cramping, bloating, and gas. As many as 1 in 5 adults in the U. Many don't have a formal diagnosis.Learn more about what foods to avoid with IBS. While eliminating foods that cause or worsen IBS symptoms, a person may benefit from adding the following to their diet:. While it may not be possible to eliminate all the IBS triggers in a recipe, reducing their quantities can help.Going to a restaurant can be stressful for a person with IBS, but the following strategies can help. First, be sure to read the menu carefully. Check for ingredients that may cause symptoms and ask:. Ask for a gluten-free or lactose-free menu: Some restaurants have them. Check the base of soups : Broth-based soups are less likely to contain dairy products, such as cream, milk, or cheese, which may cause symptoms in some people with IBS.Find out what vegetable dishes contain : Check the ingredients in a vegetable medley or stir-fry. Ask about added ingredients : Hamburgers, for example, may contain breadcrumbs or onions , both of which can worsen IBS symptoms.Opt for grilled not fried foods : Grilled foods contain less fat and can cause less stomach discomfort. Bring a favorite dressing : Some people take along condiments from home, as commercial dressings and sauces contain additives that aggravate their symptoms. Learn more about what gluten-free means here. Many people with IBS find that cooking food at home with fresh ingredients is a good way to avoid symptoms.Other tips that may help include:. Learn more about treatment options for IBS here. IBS is a common gastrointestinal disorder that can cause significant discomfort.Identifying and avoiding triggering foods and drinks can help a person with IBS enjoy their meals at home or eating out. Irritable bowel syndrome affects over a tenth of the population globally, but many go undiagnosed.  

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