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Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more. Our biweekly topic-specific e-newsletters also include blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts, and other useful information that will help you manage your health.
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Mayo Clinic Housecall
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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffLiving with irritable bowel syndrome presents daily challenges. It may be painful or embarrassing and can seriously affect the quality of your life. These suggestions may help you cope more easily:
- Learn as much about IBS as you can. Talk to your doctor, look for information on the Internet from reputable sources such as the National Institutes of Health, and read books and pamphlets. Being informed about your condition can help you take better charge of it.
- Identify the factors that trigger IBS. This is a key step both in managing your condition and in helping you feel you have control of your life.
- Seek out others with IBS. Talking to people who know what you're going through can be reassuring. Try IBS support groups on the Internet or in your community.
References
- Irritable bowel syndrome. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/. Accessed June 2, 2009.
- Talley NJ. Irritable bowel syndrome. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/141404551-3/848454280/1389/868.html#4-u1.0-B1-4160-0245-6..50120-7_5467. Accessed June 2, 2009.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec02/ch021666/ch021666a.html. Accessed June 2, 2009.
- Wald A. Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 2, 2009.
- Kligler B, et al. Probiotics. American Family Physician. 2008;78:1073.
- Chun AB, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 2, 2009.
- Saito YA. Genes and irritable bowel syndrome: Is there a link? Current Gastroenterology Reports. 2008;10:355.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 6, 2009.
