[The Gut Trust]

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is an illness that, if you have lived with it for any length of time, you will have come to realise there is no "magic cure"; however, this does not mean being resigned to life-controlling ill health. Learning how to manage your symptoms can aid well-being and promote an improved quality of life. Some of the hints below may be of help in the management of your Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Our Self Management Programme is where you can learn more about Irritable Bowel Syndrome and ways to cope with the symptoms and feel better. The programme was written for The Gut Trust by our medical advisor Professor Nick Read MA MD FRCP. It is free to members of the charity, for information on how to join click here.

If you are on a "Free From" diet of any kind be sure to take a good daily vitamin and mineral supplement. Buy a good all round multivitamin and multi-mineral as individual vitamins or minerals can be difficult for sensitive digestions. Vitamins and mineral supplements may sometimes cause upper gut discomfort so it may help to take them during the course of a meal. If in any doubt seek medical advice or call The Gut Trust helpline between 6pm and 9pm on 0114 272 32 53.

Drink plenty of water, 2 litres per day is recommended. This can help with constipation and replaces lost fluids from diarrhoea. It is sometimes difficult drinking this amount of water, especially cold water, so try drinking it warm (boiled and sufficiently cooled).

Barley is very soothing on the digestive system. Try adding a tablespoonful of pearl barley to your next casserole or pan of home-made soup (Barley requires slow cooking) or buy some barley flakes from any good health shop and make barley porridge for breakfast a couple of mornings per week.

Massage is beneficial whether you suffer from constipation or diarrhoea. Put a tablespoon of massage oil to warm for 10 minutes, placing it on top of a raditor will work well; suitable massage oils are almond oil or grape seed oil. Add one or two (no more) drops of one of the essential oils, lie down in a comfortable position and gently massage the oil into your abdomen using slow circular movements in a clockwise direction i.e. Up your right side, across your body and down your left side. Play some gentle music and relax while you massage. Oils to use for constipation are Marjoram, Rosemary, Fennel and oils to use for diarrhoea are Camomile, Lavender, Neroli (Never use oils neat, always dilute them in a massage/carrier oil).

Disclaimer: The hints shown have been received from members of The Gut Trust but may not be effective for a majority of the population and do not have any clinical validation or scientific basis.