Some physicians recommend bulking agents made from psyllium seeds. Schuster also advises against laxatives. Getting enough sleep and physical exercise also helps keep the bowels regular. Avoid culprit foods. Fatty foods aggravate symptoms in many people with IBS, says Schuster.
Fats slow down the digestive tract, gumming up the works in an already irregular system.
But with the exception of fats, it is unclear whether particular foods exacerbate symptoms. Milk can trigger symptoms in people with IBS who are lactose intolerant. Some patients appear to have their own idiosyncratic problem foods. Nancy Norton says carbonated beverages and caffeine are her culprits. In severe cases, patients can benefit from antidiarrheal drugs or laxatives, but in small doses and for the shortest time possible, says Schuster.