Irritable Bowel Syndrome: In Depth

woman in pain sitting on bed with hands on her stomach

Irritable bowel syndrome, also called IBS, is a chronic disorder that causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea. As many as one in five Americans have symptoms of IBS. The cause of this condition isn’t well understood, but stress, large meals, certain foods, and alcohol may trigger symptoms in people who have it.

Some complementary health approaches are being studied for IBS:

Although there isn’t firm evidence, some studies suggest that mind and body practices, including hypnotherapy, may be helpful for IBS.
Peppermint oil capsules may reduce some symptoms, including abdominal pain and bloating.
Probiotics may also improve symptoms, but it’s not possible to say which probiotics are most helpful because different studies have used different types.
Studies of acupuncture for IBS haven’t found it to be useful.

If you have digestive symptoms, see your health care provider. Don’t use complementary health approaches as a way of postponing medical care. It’s a good idea to tell your health care provider about any complementary approaches you’re using. Together, you and your provider can make shared, well-informed health decisions.