Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can seriously affect a patient’s quality of life. Living with the recurring symptoms of IBS may mean restricting activity levels and increased levels of emotional distress.

In addition, patients with IBS may be reluctant to talk about or seek help for their symptoms. Chronic diarrhea (which may cause soiling), gas, bloating and constipation can be embarrassing for anyone experiencing these symptoms. Patients with IBS may also experience anxiety and depression as a result of their symptoms.

However, people can learn to cope with the symptoms of IBS and minimize its disruption in their lives. These coping techniques include:

• Identify triggers. Understanding which foods, activities or situations trigger symptoms can help patients reduce or prevent symptoms, minimizing the disruption symptoms can cause. For example, jogging may induce diarrhea in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS. These patients may want to try other types of exercise such as walking.
  
  
• Learn about IBS. Knowing as much as possible about the condition may help eliminate fear and help patients to more knowledgeably deal with their symptoms.
  
  
• Get emotional support. Developing relationships with others where it is possible to talk openly about IBS and its symptoms can provide emotional release and reduce stress for patients with IBS. Talking with others who also have IBS (e.g., in support groups, Internet chat rooms) can help patients realize they are not alone.
  
  
• Be prepared. Patients with IBS can take actions to lessen the awkwardness or embarrassment of IBS symptoms, especially when traveling or socializing. For example, knowing where restrooms are located or choosing seating that is close to the restrooms can save time and help prevent soiling in cases of sudden or urgent diarrhea. Identifying menu choices ahead of time may allow patients to eat before an event if the only foods available may aggravate their symptoms.

Patients with IBS may wish to experiment with various habits or lifestyle choices that can lessen the severity of their symptoms. For example, wearing loose clothing while eating may reduce the discomfort of bloating in some patients with IBS. Placing warm heating pads on the abdomen after meals may decrease intestinal spasms in some patients with IBS, helping to reduce abdominal pain.