Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

En Español (Spanish Version)

There is no cure for IBS. Many people can control their symptoms with habit changes and medicine. Stress management and alternative treatments may also help.

The goal of treatment is to ease symptoms and improve quality of life. This can be done with:

• Lifestyle changes • Medications • Alternative and complementary therapies

REFERENCES:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113627/Irritable-bowel-syndrome-IBS. Updated September 10, 2018. Accessed July 29, 2019.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs. Updated April 2019. Accessed July 29, 2019.

Wilkins T, Pepitone C, et al. Diagnosis and management of IBS in adults. Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(5):419-426.

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Last reviewed June 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD
Last Updated: 1/7/2020

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