Almost half the patients seeing specialist gastroenterologists in hospital clinics have IBS, and in the USA it accounts for about 3.5 million visits to physicians every year. Helping yourself Try cutting out caffeine, alcohol and smoking. You have probably noticed the problem is worse when you are anxious or stressed. In normal people, anxiety makes the stomach churn, but in IBS it can provoke violent diarrhoea. Avoiding stress is easier said than done, but your public library should have books on relaxation and reducing stress.
Regular exercise is also beneficial.
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