--- 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 13, 2026 ###### Cyclospora and the 2026 Taylor Farms Outbreak: Questions and Answers Marler Clark represents people sickened in the 2026 Cyclospora outbreak and has filed cases naming Taylor Farms entities as defendants. The answers below are written for people trying to understand ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/cyclospora-and-the-2026-taylor-farms-outbreak-questions-and-answers) [August 13, 2026 ###### Salmonella and the 2026 Jalapeño Outbreak: Frequently Asked Questions Marler Clark — The Food Safety Law Firm | Updated August 13, 2026 The questions below come in two parts. The first covers Salmonella generally — what it does, how ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/salmonella-and-the-2026-jalape%C3%B1o-outbreak-frequently-asked-questions) [August 08, 2026 ###### FAQ's: The 2026 Cyclospora Outbreak: Questions and Answers for the Public Updated Saturday, August 8, 2026. Everything below is drawn from the federal and state health department pages linked in the answers, and the numbers move, so check the links before ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/faqs-the-2026-cyclospora-outbreak-questions-and-answers-for-the-public) [July 27, 2026 ###### The Cyclospora Lawsuits Have Begun On July 16, health officials linked shredded lettuce sold at US-based Taco Bell restaurants to the cyclosporiasis outbreak. Within hours, the lawsuits began. At least four lawsuits have been filed ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/the-cyclospora-lawsuits-have-begun) [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)