The primary goal of treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is to provide relief from uncomfortable symptoms so you can return to a normal lifestyle.

If your symptoms are mild, they may not require significant lifestyle changes or medication.

Here are some tips for how to manage mild IBS symptoms:

• Avoid triggering foods.

• Consume foods high in fiber.

• Drink lots of fluids.

• Sleep properly.

If your symptoms are more severe, other methods can be used to alleviate daily discomfort caused by IBS.

Your IBS doctor in Henderson might suggest more rigorous dietary restrictions in order to avoid certain irritants. The doctor will likely recommend that you stay away from:

• Foods that cause gas trouble. These include alcoholic or carbonated drinks, raw fruits, caffeine, and some vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli.

• Gluten – avoiding glutenous foods like wheat, rye and barley can improve diarrhea symptoms for people who struggle with IBS.

• FODMAPs – people who are sensitive to some carbohydrates known as FODMAPs – fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols. FODMAPS can be found in a few fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy. Following a strict low-FODMAP diet has been shown to ease stubborn IBS symptoms in certain individuals.

For constipation that results from sudden dietary changes, fiber supplements and laxatives are also recommended.

There are a variety of medications available to assist in the short- and long-term treatment of IBS.

Patients who require anti-diarrheal medications are usually prescribed either loperamide or bile acid binders; though, these may cause bloating. Talk to your Henderson IBS specialist about whether these medications are the best option to provide relief of your symptoms.

To treat painful bowel spasms, your doctor might prescribe anticholinergic medications such as dicyclomine. Although safe, they can cause dry mouth, constipation, or blurred vision at times.

Other medications approved for treating IBS include:

• Alosetron (Lotronex) – specifically made to ease the colon and relax waste movement through the lower bowel. Alosetron is prescribed to women severely affected by IBS and those on whom nothing else works.

• Eluxadoline (Viberzi) – helps in easing gut by relaxing muscle contractions and decreasing the secretion of fluids in the intestine.

• Rifaximin (Xifaxan) – an antibiotic that decreases diarrhea and bacterial overgrowth.

• Lubiprostone (Amitiza) – helps to increase the secretion of fluids to help stool passage in your small intestine. This is also recommended for women who don’t respond to other treatments.

• Linaclotide (Linzess) – aids secretion of fluid in the small intestine, helping pass stools.

Though these medications have been shown to provide significant relief to those suffering from IBS, these medications can also have negative side effects. Talk to your doctor about what medications and dietary changes are right for you.