How to Manage an IBS Flare-Up

Living with IBS is tough, especially during an unexpected flare. IBS flare-ups can be mild to severe and cause significant GI discomfort, but what can you do to relieve uncomfortable symptoms fast?

You don’t have to live with IBS symptoms — there are many medications and home care remedies to stop IBS in its tracks. If you’re unsure where to start, Dr. Ilyas Memon and the Texas Digestive Disease Consultants have the tools to help.

Dr. Memon is an experienced gastroenterologist who provides care for individuals with IBS, addressing uncomfortable symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.

Signs of an IBS flare-up

Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic issue that affects the large intestine. It often leads to periods of remission and flares, causing mild to severe discomfort in the abdomen and gastrointestinal tract.

Although IBS causes significant symptoms for some, it doesn’t damage the intestines. However, a flare can lead to various uncomfortable symptoms that include the following:

• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Cramping
• Changes in bowel habits
• Feeling like you can't empty the bowls

The symptoms often worsen with IBS during a flare. Many people have flares from stress or certain foods that irritate the bowels.

The key to alleviating IBS flares is to know what triggers your symptoms. Keeping a food diary and recording your symptoms helps determine what may be triggering them.

Stopping a flare in its tracks

When an IBS flare strikes, the symptoms are unbearable. Days of bloating, gas, and bowel changes are challenging to deal with during work, school, and social gatherings — but you can stop a flare just as quickly as it starts.

Dr. Memon offers various tips and treatments to calm your gut during a flare. Some of these tips include:

• Use heat to calm abdominal spasms
• Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol
• Try out yoga
• Manage fiber intake based on IBS type
• Drink plenty of water
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals

You can also attempt to take over-the-counter remedies to alleviate gas, spasms, and diarrhea or constipation, but don’t rely on them for too long. If the flare doesn’t seem to get better even after following these tips, talk to Dr. Memon about prescription medications that could help.

Tips to prevent another IBS flare

After getting an IBS flare under control, it’s crucial to keep another attack from happening. We provide you with all the tools and information you need to manage IBS and its associated symptoms.

The first step to preventing an IBS flare is through your diet. High FODMAP foods are notorious for creating problems in the gut, especially with IBS. A low FODMAP diet helps manage IBS symptoms and includes foods like:

• Fruits like oranges, grapes, and berries
• Veggies like zucchini, cucumbers, and bell peppers
• Certain dairy products like camembert, feta, and brie cheeses
• Proteins like chicken, tofu, and fish
• Grains like oats, rice, and quinoa
• Walnuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds

You can also keep a food diary to find out what foods trigger specific symptoms and avoid them in the future. Managing stress and anxiety also keeps GI symptoms under control.

Regular physical activity is crucial in allowing the gut to function properly, along with regular hydration. Medications for IBS can help if holistic options aren't working for your symptoms.

To learn more about our IBS treatments, call one of our conveniently located offices in Texas or request a consultation on our website.