Irritable bowel syndrome is common and can be very troublesome for patients. Careful assessment to exclude serious causes for symptoms is required. Explaining the nature of the condition and reassurance are important.

Sympathetic recognition of how the symptoms affect the patient’s life and providing support to try lifestyle and dietary modifications are key to helping patients. Relaxation, leisure time and exercise will all help. Alongside this, various products and drugs obtained from pharmacy can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

References, further reading and resources

• Clinical Knowledge Summary (CKS). Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Guidance and information for primary care
  
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Clinical Guideline 62, 2008 (last update April 2017)
  
• The Association of UK Dieticians. Probiotic Food Fact Sheet
  
• The IBS Network Patient Support Group
  
• NHS website: What is IBS? Information for patients
  
• Public Health England. The Eat Well Guide
• Ford AC, Sperber AD, Corsetti M and Camilleri M. Irritable bowel syndrome. Lancet 2020; 396:1675-88. DOI (This is an academic but accessible up-to-date review, for those who want more detail; needs subscription or institutional access).