suggestions in the Treatment section may help prevent
symptoms.Resources
BOOKS
Berkowitz, Jonathan M.A Victim No More: Overcoming
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Safe, Effective Therapies for
Relief From Bowel Complaints. North Bergen, NJ: Basic
Health Publications, 2003.
Dean, Carolyn and L. Christine Wheeler.IBS for Dummies.
Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Pub., 2006.
Nicol, Rosemary.Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Natural
Approach. Berkeley, CA: Ulysses Press, 2007
Peikin, Steven R.Gastrointestinal Health: The Proven
Nutritional Program to Prevent, Cure, or Alleviate Irri-
table Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Ulcers, Gas, Constipation,
Heartburn, and Many Other Digestive Disorders. rev ed.
New York, NY: Perennial Currents, 2004.
Talley, Nicholas J.Conquering Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A
Guide to Liberating Those Suffering with Chronic
Stomach or Bowel Problems. Hamilton, Ontario: BC
Decker, 2006.
ORGANIZATIONS
American College of Gastroenterology. P.O. Box 342260
Bethesda, MD 20827-2260. Telephone: (301) 263-9000.
Website:<http://www.acg.gi.org>
American Gastroenterological Association. 4930 Del Ray
Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814. Telephone: (301) 654-- Fax: (301) 654-5920. Website:http://
[http://www.gastro.org](http://www.gastro.org>)
IBS Self Help and Support Group 1440 Whalley Avenue,
ndash145, New Haven, CT 06515. Website:http://
[http://www.ibsgroup.org](http://www.ibsgroup.org>)
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal
Disorders. P. O. Box 170864, Milwaukee, WI 53217,
Telephone: (888) 964-2001. Fax: (414) 964-7176. Web-
site:http://www.iffgd.org
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
(NDDIC). 2 Information Way Bethesda, MD 20892- - Telephone: (800) 891-5389. Fax: (703) 738-4929.
Website:http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov
OTHER
El-Baba, Mohammad F. ‘‘Irritable Bowel Syndrome.’’
eMedicine.com, April 4, 2007.http://www.emedicine
.com/ped/topic1210.htm
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal
Disorders ‘‘Frequently Asked Questions.’’ April 9,
2007.http://www.aboutibs.org/site/about-ibs/faq
Lichtenstein, Gary R. and Jenifer K. Leher. ‘‘Irritable Bowel
Syndrome.’’ eMedicineHealth.com, October 26, 2005.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/irritable_bowel_
syndrome/article_em.htm
Mayo Clinic Staff. ‘‘Irritable Bowel Syndrome.’’ MayoCli-
nic.com, April 10, 2007.http://www.mayoclinic.com/
health/irritable-bowel-syndrome/DS00106
Medline Plus. ‘‘Irritable Bowel Syndrome.’’ U. S. National
Library of Medicine, April 11, 2007.<http://www.nlm
.nih/gov/medlineplus/irritablebowelsyndrome .html>
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
(NDDIC). ‘‘Irritable Bowel Syndrome.’’ February 2006.
<http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs>Tish Davidson, A.M.Irritable bowel syndrome diet
Definition
The irritable bowel syndromediet is a set of
recommendations designed to reduce the symptoms
of bothconstipationand diarrhea that are common
with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is not a diet
designed for weight loss.Origins
No specific person or organization originated the
irritable bowel syndrome diet. Instead, it has devel-
oped out of research, observations, and trial and error
by gastroenterologists and their patients with IBS.Description
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder in which
the intestine (bowel) appears normal, but does not
function correctly. The disorder is very common, but
its cause is not known. About one of every five Amer-
icans has symptoms of IBS, ranging from mild and
annoying to severe and lifestyle-altering.
The main symptoms of IBS are pain or discomfort
in the abdomen, feeling bloated, having a lot of gas
(flatulence), diarrhea, constipation, or alternating
periods of both. Symptoms come and go, and over
time they can vary in severity in a single individual.
Although diet does not cause IBS, certain foods can
trigger symptoms. These foods differ from person to
person. Common food triggers include alcohol, dairy
products, beverages that containcaffeine, and the
artificial sweetenerssorbitol and mannitol. The IBS
diet is designed to avoid foods that will trigger symp-
toms and encourage the consumption of foods that
help correct diarrhea and constipation and reduce gas.Function
The function of the irritable bowel syndrome diet
is to give the individual more control over his or her
symptoms of IBS and thus improve the quality of live.Irritable bowel syndrome diet