There is no cure for IBS. Many people can control their symptoms with habit changes and medicine. Stress management and alternative treatments may also help.
The goal of treatment is to ease symptoms and improve quality of life. This can be done with:
Lifestyle changesMedicationsAlternative and complementary therapiesReferences
Camilleri M. Diagnosis and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a review. JAMA. 2021;325(9):865-877.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs. Accessed May 17, 2022.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs. Accessed May 17, 2022.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD
- Review Date: 03/2022
- Update Date: 05/17/2022