• cramp-like abdominal pain
• fullness and bloating
• flatulence
• persistent diarrhoea or constipation - or even a mixture of the two
• a feeling you haven’t completely emptied your bowels

There is a generally accepted opinion that IBS is commonly associated with stress and anxiety. So, a particularly emotional or stressful period, such as divorce, bereavement or problems at work, can affect your digestive system.

IBS can also be triggered by an illness you’ve suffered, for example, dysentery or a severe episode of travellers’ diarrhoea.

If you suffer from IBS, the symptoms can be affected by a diet that’s low in fibre and high in fat and refined foods. The way you eat is also a factor: eating on the move and not having regular meal times will affect the way your bowel works.

Hormonal changes and menstruation can also exacerbate IBS symptoms².

• Knowing what triggers an attack can help control your symptoms. Try and keep a log of what you eat and what happened during the day, to help you identify what might set off your symptoms.
• A well-balanced high-fibre diet and regular meal times will help your digestive system work better. Try and avoid fatty and spicy foods - or foods you have identified as ‘triggers’.
• Eat little and often, as large meals a couple of times a day will be harder for your system to digest.
• Try to reduce the number of stressful situations you face. This doesn’t have to be as drastic as changing your career. You could take simple stress-reducing steps like making sure you have frequent breaks, not working excessively long hours and taking time out for yourself each week.
• Exercise more, as this will both aid digestion and reduce stress.
• You may wish to try therapies such as yoga or meditation. These help to reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being.
• Advice on stress management can also be helpful to reduce symptoms.
• In severe cases, you might find either hypnotherapy or psychotherapy useful.