Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Symptoms and What Helps
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 5 November 2026
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IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, causes tummy pain linked to going to the toilet, bloating, and diarrhoea, constipation or both. It does not damage the bowel, but it is long-term and comes in flare-ups. Changes to diet, managing stress and, if needed, medicines help. This guide is by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).
- IBS is common and does not cause cancer or damage the bowel.
- It causes tummy pain that eases or changes when you poo, wind, bloating and changes in your stools.
- It is diagnosed from your symptoms, after simple tests rule out other causes.
- Regular meals, fewer gassy foods, exercise and handling stress all help.
- Probiotics help some people. The NHS suggests trying one for a month.
- Blood in your poo, weight loss or new symptoms after 50 are not IBS: see a doctor.
What is IBS?
It is a condition where the bowel works in an unusual way, without any damage that can be seen. The gut is more sensitive and moves too fast or too slowly. The link between the gut and the brain plays a big part. Sometimes it starts after a stomach bug. In Spain it is called síndrome del intestino irritable or, more often, colon irritable.
What are the symptoms of IBS?
- Tummy pain or cramps that ease or change when you poo.
- Bloating and wind.
- Diarrhoea, constipation or a mix of both.
- Feeling you have not fully emptied your bowels.
- Mucus in your poo.
Symptoms come and go. They are often worse with stress, some foods or periods. See also our guide to a bloated stomach.
How is IBS diagnosed?
There is no single test for it. A doctor diagnoses it from your symptoms and rules out other causes. This usually means a blood test, a test for coeliac disease and sometimes a faecal calprotectin test to rule out bowel inflammation.
What should I eat with IBS?
- Eat at regular times and slowly. Do not skip meals.
- Drink enough water.
- Cut down on foods that cause wind, such as cabbage, broccoli, beans and onions.
- Limit alcohol, coffee, fizzy drinks and products with sorbitol.
- If you are constipated, oats and soluble fibre often suit you better than bran.
- Keep a food and symptom diary to see what upsets you.
If these changes are not enough, a low FODMAP diet can help. It is best done with a dietitian, because it is strict and foods have to be brought back step by step.
Do probiotics like Kijimea help?
They can help some people, mostly with bloating. The NHS suggests trying a probiotic for a month and stopping if you see no change. Each probiotic has different strains and the studies are small, so no one can say which works best.
Spanish pharmacies sell several products for IBS, such as Kijimea, that contain bifidobacteria. They are sold without a prescription. Ask your pharmacist, and check with a doctor first if you have a weak immune system or a serious illness.
What treatment is there?
It depends on your main symptom. A doctor may suggest medicines for cramps, laxatives for constipation or anti-diarrhoea medicines for flare-ups. If nothing helps, other medicines are sometimes used at low doses to calm gut pain. The doctor or the leaflet sets the dose; ask your pharmacist. Exercise, sleep and talking therapies for stress also help.
When is it not IBS?
See a doctor soon if you have:
- Blood in your poo, or black poo.
- Weight loss you cannot explain.
- New symptoms after the age of 50.
- Diarrhoea that wakes you at night.
- Anaemia or tiredness with no clear cause.
- Family members with bowel cancer, coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease.
- A fever.
When should I call 112?
- Sudden, severe tummy pain, or pain that stops you moving.
- Vomiting that will not stop, or vomiting blood.
- A lot of blood in your poo, black poo, or feeling faint.
If you have any of these, call 112 or go to A&E (urgencias).
Frequently asked questions about IBS
Can IBS be cured?
There is no lasting cure, but many people control their symptoms well with diet, habits and, if needed, medicines.
Does stress make IBS worse?
Yes. The gut and the brain are closely linked, and stress often makes flare-ups worse.
Can IBS turn into cancer?
No. IBS does not cause cancer. But see a doctor if warning signs appear, such as blood or weight loss.
Is IBS the same as colitis?
No. Colitis is real inflammation of the bowel, such as ulcerative colitis. IBS does not inflame the bowel.
Can IBS be managed by video?
Yes. A doctor can go through your symptoms, request the right tests and adjust treatment by video.
Getting a medical assessment
If you are in Spain and you have bowel symptoms that come and go, you can book a video consultation with Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, a physician registered in Spain. You can also read about tummy pain and constipation. A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.
This guide is general information. It does not replace the package leaflet or the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following sources.
