Home Remedy Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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The following kinds of foods -- and habits -- may be contributing to your symptoms, so try to avoid them whenever possible.

Dairy products. Some IBS sufferers are also lactose intolerant, which means they can't digest lactose, the sugar found naturally in milk and other dairy products. (Yogurt and hard cheeses don't seem to cause any symptoms because their bacterial content converts much of the lactose to lactic acid before they're consumed.) To find out if you are indeed lactose intolerant, a physician can do a simple breath test on you to check. If you are, lactase enzyme is available in tablet form and even in some food products to help alleviate the symptoms. Whole-milk dairy products also contain fat, which may be an irritant. Opt instead for products made with low fat or skim milk.

Citrus fruits. Of all the types of fruit, citrus varieties, such as oranges and tangerines, seem to be the most common offenders.

Gas producers. The last thing an IBS sufferer needs is more gas. Among the offenders: onions, beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, red and green peppers, and carbonated beverages. Many of these offenders are rich in nutrients, however, so experiment with smaller amounts or different cooking methods or try the gas-busting additive Beano before removing these foods from your diet.

Spicy foods. Forgo the spices in your dishes and see if that makes a difference.

Wheat products. Those who find that foods containing wheat are a problem should consult their physician as to how to maintain or increase their fiber intake without using wheat.

Sugar. Some IBS sufferers have what's known as fructose intolerance and have difficulty digesting fructose (fruit sugar). Sucrose, or table sugar, may also trigger their symptoms.

Chocolate. It not only contains caffeine but high amounts of sugar and fat.

Caffeine. Found in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola, and even some medications, caffeine can stimulate the intestines and cause heartburn and cramping.

Alcohol. Alcohol can cause diarrhea.

Cigarettes. Smoking may have an effect on the motility, or movement, of the digestive system.

Fat. Fatty meats, butter, and oils are more difficult for the body to digest.

Sugarless gum and candy. Specifically, those made with sorbitol can aggravate IBS symptoms because the artificial sweetener is not digestible.

In addition to watching what you eat, you may be able to control your symptoms by taking medication (laxatives, antidiarrheals, tranquilizers, or antidepressants), but you should discuss any drug treatment with your doctor first. Doctors generally hesitate to prescribe strong and sometimes addictive drugs (which may cause other digestive side effects) to treat IBS, because the root cause of the condition isn't understood, and it seldom leads to serious complications.