Because IBS affects everyone differently, recognising your pattern of symptoms is the first step toward finding relief and support. Some common symptoms include:

• Abdominal cramps that often improve after passing stool
• Diarrhoea or constipation, sometimes alternating
• Bloating and excessive gas
• Mucus in stools
• Urgency or frequent need to use the toilet
• Associated symptoms during flare-ups may include nausea, headaches, or tiredness

While IBS does not cause long-term damage, it can significantly affect daily life, impacting work, social interactions and wellbeing. IBS may also be linked to anxiety or depression.

Although the exact cause of IBS isn’t fully understood, many people find that identifying and managing personal triggers can make a real difference. These can include:

• Disruption in gut-brain communication
• Increased bowel sensitivity
• Genetic factors
• Previous gut infections (post-infectious IBS)
• Imbalance in gut bacteria

Lifestyle and dietary triggers can also be a factor, and can include:

• Fatty foods and large meals
• Stress or emotional strain
• Antibiotics or certain medications, such as NSAIDs

Keeping a diary of food and stress can help identify individual triggers and improve symptom management.

If you experience unexplained weight loss, abdominal lumps or blood in your stools, you should seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms are not typical of IBS and may indicate more serious conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), coeliac disease or bowel cancer.

We’ll work with you to reduce flare-ups and help you feel more in control of your condition, offering expert care, tailored treatment and practical lifestyle advice. This includes:

• Provide a diagnosis to rule out other conditions
• Develop a personalised management plan combining medical treatment, dietary guidance and lifestyle adjustment
• Ongoing support to reduce symptom flare-ups and improve quality of life