WHEN an illness is not life threatening, it can be marginalised, with less public interest. If said illness affects the bowels, an area of discussion often taboo in polite society, limited understanding and even stigma may result. Yet Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which is different from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), is something we should be talking about.

The IBS Network, the UK’s National Charity, holds its next conference in Sheffield on April 14, and hopes to educate and dispel myths surrounding a disease affecting up to 15 per cent of the population and accounting for £3bn in lost days at work every year.

The classic symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain and bloating, with constipation or diarrhoea.

These may sound mild, but if they are a daily occurrence, it is obvious to see how many affected become isolated and often depressed.

IBS is called a diagnosis of exclusion, in that blood samples and camera tests of the bowel do not show any abnormality.

However, this does not mean that you should suffer in silence. Routine blood tests will rule out Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Coeliac’s. You may be asked for a faeces sample, as a protein called calprotectin is released in higher amounts in IBD.

Symptoms which should have you making an urgent doctor’s appointment include unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain that keeps you awake at night, a lump in your tummy, or bleeding from the back passage. IBS normally starts between the ages of 20 and 30, so if your first symptoms are at age 50 or over, you should visit your GP earlier, especially women, where ovarian cancer may mimic IBS.

AT the present time, we aren’t sure as to the exact cause of IBS, only that nerves in the gut are more sensitive to pain signals in those with the condition. Therefore any treatment recommendation cannot adopt a “one size fits all” approach, and must take into account the individual’s particular symptoms.

IBS is often made worse by anxiety and improved by regular exercise, so trying to reduce your stress levels and making time to stay fit are a good place to start.

As the triggers are often different, it may be useful to keep a symptom diary for two to four weeks to work out what causes your IBS to flare.

For bloating and pain, try to reduce those foods that give excess wind. Medications include peppermint oil, hyoscine and mebeverine, which reduce spasms in the gut.

For diarrhoea predominant IBS, along with anti-diarrhoeals such as loperamide, you might be advised to reduce the amount of fibre in your diet. If constipation is the issue, the opposite may help.

Homemade meals using natural ingredients are better than processed foods. Caffeine and alcohol should be limited.

Have a trial of probiotic drinks or yoghurts, but stop if you are no better after a month.

A dietician may be able to help if you are still struggling.

For severe symptoms, medications used for depression and anxiety as well as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) have shown to reduce pain and distress.

See www.theibsnetwork.org for more details of the IBS Network.