--- title: IBS Treatment date: 2021-01-29T14:54:00-08:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/ibs-treatment" section: Resource Library --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) / # IBS Treatment ### How is IBS treated? Treatment of IBS varies from person to person and from case to case. Treatments include—where appropriate—changes in lifestyle, exercise, and eating regular meals. Changes in diet may be helpful, such as increasing fiber in those with constipation, and eliminating trigger foods, such as fructose and non-absorbable sugars (i.e. the FODMAP diet), which can cause diarrhea and bloating. Over-the-counter medications are sometimes used to decrease diarrhea (e.g., loperamide) or improve constipation (e.g., soluble or insoluble fiber or laxatives). Antispasmodics can help with pain—these are generally anticholinergic drugs. Narcotics should never be used, secondary to their propensity to decrease bowel motility. For some patients with severe and refractory symptoms, especially pain, low-dose tricyclic antidepressants can be very effective. Probiotics have been helpful for some, though studies on probiotics in the setting of IBS are limited. In certain trials, benefits have also been seen with hypnotherapy, acupuncture, and psychotherapy. There are new prescription medications for those with severe diarrhea (e.g., alosetron) and those with severe constipation (e.g., lubiprostone, linaclotide). ![](https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/aboutirritablebowelsyndromecom-images/outbreaks/image4-2.jpeg?1615505119335)### Prognosis Most persons with IBS have symptoms that vary over time and may improve, worsen, or remain stable. In one systematic review, symptoms remained the same in most (30-50%) or worsened (2-28%). An alternate gastrointestinal disorder was diagnosed in only 5% of cases. [ Next: Irritable Bowel Syndrome References › ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/irritable-bowel-syndrome-references) ### More Information [August 23, 2023 ###### Listeria outbreak: Three die after drinking contaminated milkshakes Three people have died, and three others are in hospital after drinking milkshakes contaminated with listeria bacteria in the US state of Washington, health officials say. Marler Clark, the Listeria ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/listeria-outbreak-three-die-after-drinking-contaminated-milkshakes) [July 12, 2023 ###### 2011 Listeria outbreaks linked to cantaloupes: A history A total of 148 persons infected with any of the five outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes were reported to the CDC from 28 states. The number of infected persons identified ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/2011-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-cantaloupes-a-history) [May 20, 2023 ###### A quick look at the 2018 Hepatitis A outbreak Litigation proceeded in a Virginia state court against Tropical Smoothie and the strawberry supply chain. 134 people with Hepatitis A were reported from nine states, including: Arkansas (1), California (1) ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/a-quick-look-at-the-2018-hepatitis-a-outbreak) [March 26, 2023 ###### Listeria linked to yogurt prompts recall Clio Snacks of Piscataway, New Jersey, is voluntarily recalling 581 cases of its Strawberry Granola & Greek Yogurt Parfait Bar due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/listeria-linked-to-yogurt-prompts-recall) [1. View all ](/news_events/outbreaks?illness=e-coli&year=all) ## All Irritable Bowel Syndrome Resources [###### What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/what-is-irritable-bowel-syndrome) [###### Causes of IBS ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/causes-of-ibs) [###### Post-Infectious IBS ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/post-infectious-ibs) [###### Dyspepsia and Gastroparesis ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/dyspepsia-gastroparesis) [###### IBS Diagnosis ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/ibs-diagnosis) [###### IBS Treatment ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/ibs-treatment) [###### Irritable Bowel Syndrome References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/irritable-bowel-syndrome-references) ### Other foodborne illnesses [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)