One thing is for sure, when you have an irritable bowel you do not want to do anything to aggravate it. While the condition is rarely serious it can cause great discomfort to those who suffer from it, an a lot of embarrassment as well. It can make it hard for people to hold down a job, or travel even short distances. In short, many with some of the more severe cases of IBS are nearly housebound.

This does not necessarily have to be the case. Careful monitoring of your diet can greatly help to stem the tide of symptoms of IBS. Most of the common symptoms include bloating, gas, cramping, diarrhea or constipation, and possibly even nausea.

All of these symptoms are made worse by foods that either increase acid in the stomach, or cause food to pass through the digestive tract too quickly. Foods high in fat are notorious for being hard to process and causing diarrhea which only aggravates IBS more.

Patients who suffer from IBS are often instructed to keep a food diary so they can see what triggers their attacks. Everyone is different, but sensitivities to certain foods are well known causes of IBS. Along with fatty foods other dietary sources of aggravation include dairy products, foods that are high in acid, foods that contain gluten such as breads and other grain products, caffeine drinks, and alcohol.

While over the counter medications can sometimes help the symptoms of IBS prevention is the best way to solve flair ups. It is easier to prevent than cure. Unfortunately there is no simple plan that can be laid out that will work for everybody. Knowing the most common causes for flair ups can help to provide a guideline to judge what foods cause each individual the greatest troubles and then they can be avoided. Since different foods trigger different responses in each person each diet will be a little different.

Studies have shown that it is better to eat several small meals a day rather than three larger ones when patients have recurring bouts of IBS. Small meals consisting of foods that are known to be helpful in preventing IBS symptoms make it possible for those suffering from IBS to live fuller and more energetic lives.

While foods that are high in fiber are a good way to help alleviate the intestinal pain that signifies IBS it is best to stay away from those that produce large amounts of gas as that will only make matters worse. These foods include: bananas, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, garlic, cauliflower, raisins, onions, beans, cabbage, leeks, and nuts.

Some of the most common foods that many people are sensitive to that can create problems for IBS patients are Fructose that is found in fruit drinks and dried fruits, Wheat bran, lactose (milk and dairy products), and Sorbitol which is a sugar substitute.

While yogurt is a diary product it is often tolerated much better than others and contains probiotics which are helpful bacteria that can promote intestinal health and help to get rid of the symptoms of IBS.