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IBS can feel like it is controlling your life. You may have to use the bathroom too much and feel awkward leaving a situation so frequently or it may be difficult to move your bowels. Either situation can be potentially painful and uncomfortable.

Irritable bowel syndrome can be triggered by eating certain foods. If you are having chronic diarrhea from IBS too much insoluble fiber, foods and drinks with chocolate, caffeine or alcohol, carbonated drinks, large meals, fried and fatty foods, dairy products, and foods with wheat (gluten) may be triggering your symptoms. You can take measures to reduce your symptoms by considering alternatives to these foods. You can try to eat more soluble fiber, avoid foods with extreme temperatures like ice water and steaming soup in the same meal, eat smaller portions, drink water before or after a meal and not with it, check with your doctor to see if you have a wheat allergy.

If you are experiencing chronic constipation because of your IBS diagnosis, these symptoms can get worse or remain chronic if you eat the trigger foods like refined breads and cereals, refined foods like chips and cookies, coffee, carbonated and alcoholic drinks, and high protein diets. You can manage your symptoms of constipation by drinking 64 oz of water a day, gradually boosting your fiber intake, and start to incorporate ground flax seed.

Please check out Mayoclinic:Coping with IBS and WebMD:Preventing IBS for further information.

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