Treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may start with lifestyle changes like avoiding certain foods and relieving stress. If these don’t work, some medications may help relieve symptoms.

Whether you’re starting your irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treatment experience or have been taking medications for some time, you might be wondering what to expect from available treatments.

There’s currently no cure for IBS, but treatment can help relieve symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, as well as improve your quality of life.

Your treatment plan will depend on several factors, such as the types, severity, and duration of your symptoms and the underlying cause.

For many people, lifestyle and dietary changes are enough to help relieve symptoms of IBS. In some cases, however, you may require over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications.

Keep reading to learn more about what to expect from your IBS treatment options.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of IBS, a healthcare professional will ask you about your diet, medications you may be taking, and whether you’re experiencing stress. This is because many factors contribute to IBS.

First-line treatment for IBS typically involves identifying and limiting possible triggers. This could involve making dietary and lifestyle changes.

Dietary changes

Research suggests that 8 in 10 people with IBS experience symptoms after eating certain foods. Some foods may be hard to digest and lead to bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.

Some common IBS trigger foods to consider limiting include:

  • Fruits: apples, cherries, dried fruits, peaches, and nectarines
  • Vegetables: onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and eggplant
  • Dairy: cow’s milk and yogurt
  • Protein: ultra-processed meats, legumes, and beans
  • Grains: wheat, rye, and barley
  • Beverages: alcohol, coffee, and carbonated drinks

To identify triggers, try keeping a food journal. Write down what and when you eat, as well as the type and timing of your symptoms.

If you identify trigger foods, limit them for up to 6 weeksTrusted Source to see if your symptoms improve. Then, gradually add them in one by one to identify specific triggers.

Another potential dietary change is transitioning to a low FODMAP diet. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols. These types of carbohydrates may irritate the digestive tract when you have IBS.

If you experience constipation, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) recommends eating soluble fiber to help relieve symptoms. Some examples include oats, carrots, and potatoes.

That said, high fiber foods like whole grains, legumes, and nuts may be high-FODMAP foods, so it’s important to monitor your symptoms.

Lastly, if you have a gluten-related disorder like celiac disease, you may benefit from a gluten-free diet. However, gluten-free diets are only recommended for people who experience IBS symptoms from gluten.

Lifestyle changes

Stress relief is another important lifestyle aspect when you have IBS. Although stress itself doesn’t cause IBS, it may worsen symptoms of IBS.

Research also suggests that IBS symptoms may cause stress and anxiety, which could create an IBS-stress cycle.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, some ways to relieve stress include:

  • writing in a journal
  • meditating
  • exercising regularly
  • sleeping for at least 7 hours each night
  • limiting alcohol to two drinks or less daily for males and one drink or less for females
  • connecting with other people
  • going outside
  • speaking with a therapist

If you smoke, quitting smoking is another important lifestyle change you can make to improve IBS, especiallyTrusted Source if you have IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D). Smoking can cause reactions in your body that make the bowel more irritable.

If lifestyle and dietary changes don’t help relieve your symptoms of IBS, a doctor may recommend medications.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the following medications for the treatment of IBS:

  • Alosetron hydrochloride (Lotronex): The FDA approved this medication for treating IBS in women with refractory IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D). The medication is a 5-HT3 blocker. It should be used with caution.
  • Eluxadoline (Viberzi): In May 2015, the FDA approved this medication for the treatment of IBS-D. This medication is designed to affect the nervous system by reducing bowel contractions that cause diarrhea.
  • Rifaximin (Xifaxan): This medication is intended to be taken three times a day for 14 days to reduce the symptoms of IBS-D. Doctors don’t exactly know how the drug works, but Xifaxan has been thought to affect the bacteria in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract to reduce symptoms associated with IBS-D.
  • Lubiprostone (Amitiza): This medication is used to treat IBS with constipation (IBS-C) in women ages 18 years and older. It works by activating chloride channels in the body to reduce constipation.

A doctor may consider the nature and severity of your symptoms before prescribing these medications.

A doctor may recommend OTC drugs or prescribe medications to help treat specific IBS symptoms, including diarrhea, anxiety, and cramping. These are intended to be taken when your symptoms worsen, but they’re not taken daily.

Some of these medications may include:

  • Antidiarrheals: Medications like loperamide and diphenoxylate may help relieve diarrhea. These drugs affect the muscles in your GI tract, slowing down the rapid contractions that can lead to diarrhea.
  • Antispasmodics: These medications may reduce the cramping associated with IBS. Examples include belladonna alkaloids, hyoscyamine, and peppermint oil.
  • Antidepressants: Anxiety, stress, and depression can contribute to your IBS symptoms. Antidepressants can help to reduce these effects and relieve abdominal pain. Examples include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and citalopram (Celexa).
  • Fiber supplements: These supplements can increase the bulk of your stool and make it easier to pass, which could help reduce constipation.
  • Laxatives: These medications may help relieve constipation. Some soften the stool, and others stimulate the bowels and make bowel movements easier. Examples include lactulose, milk of magnesia, and polyethylene glycol 3350 (MiraLAX).
  • Probiotics: While these haven’t been fully proven to reduce IBS symptoms, some people take them to restore the balance of bacteria in the digestive tract.

These are usually taken alongside lifestyle and dietary changes to help you manage your IBS.

How much time does it take to treat IBS?

The duration of IBS treatment will depend on the underlying cause.

For instance, symptoms caused by a trigger food may resolve in a few days once the trigger is avoided. However, symptoms caused by other underlying conditions may take much longer to treat.

What are the goals for IBS treatment?

The goals of IBS treatment are to relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

How long does a bout of IBS usually last?

The duration of your IBS symptoms may last hours, days, or even months, according to the NHS.

IBS is a condition that has its ups and downs. The condition may worsen with stress, hormone fluctuations, and illness. Sometimes, IBS flares up for seemingly no apparent reason. There’s no cure for IBS, but it can be managed.

Talk with a doctor about how you can manage your symptoms through lifestyle changes, medications, or a combination of both.