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Managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Treating IBS
Holistic care for IBS
Assessment questions

module menu icon Treating IBS

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module menu icon Treating IBS

Treating IBS

ABC for IBS signs2

A diagnosis of IBS can be made in primary care (in the absence of alarm symptoms or signs) if any of the following symptoms have been present for a minimum of 6 months:2

  • A ABDOMINAL PAIN

  • B BLOATING

  • C CHANGE IN BOWEL HABIT

Current OTC IBS treatment pathway2

INITIAL MANAGEMENT:Lifestyle interventions
SECONDARY MANAGEMENT:Medicinal interventions

  • Advise sufferers on IBS in the context of the gut-brain axis and the impact of stress on IBS symptoms

  • Offer self-care tips to help manage stress and associated anxiety and/or depression appropriately, and signpost for further information and support

  • Recommend a healthy, balanced diet, adjusting their fibre intake according to symptoms, and drinking plenty of fluids (we will cover this in more detail later in the module)

  • Encourage regular physical activity

If symptoms persist despite initial dietary and lifestyle advice, OTC medicines can be considered:

  • Laxatives for constipation relief (IBS-C)

  • Antidiarrheal agent for diarrhoea (IBS-D)

  • An antispasmodic drug for abdominal pain or spasm

Various prescription medicines to help manage abdominal pain may be considered and referral to a specialist diet may also be an option.

NOTE: These treatment recommendations only support acute treatment management, not the root cause of IBS.

Targeting the root cause

THE TREATMENT OPTIONS LISTED ABOVE TARGET SYMPTOMS
RATHER THAN THE ROOT CAUSE – THE DAMAGED GUT BARRIER.

The FyboCalm* range is clinically proven and contains Gutshield Technology (a combination of XYLOGLUCAN and PEA PROTEIN). As you saw in the video, this unique Gutshield Technology forms a protective film to soothe, strengthen and promote repair of the gut barrier.5-11

*FyboCalm is a medical device. Always read the instructions
†Xyloglucan and pea protein

The FyboCalm range*

THE FYBOCALM RANGE CONTAINS 3 DIFFERENT PRODUCTS,
tailored to your customer’s predominant IBS type and most prevalent symptom.

> CLICK BELOW EACH PACKSHOT TO LEARN MORE.

FOR PATIENTS WITH FREQUENT WIND & BLOATING:

 

Clinically proven to be effective within 2 hours in RELIEVING recurrent wind, bloating and abdominal pain and significantly superior to simethicone – with lasting relief from recurrent gut symptoms such as abdominal pain, wind and bloating for 8 days and 20 days for abdominal distension.5

Treatment can be maintained, if a maintenance therapy is necessary.

FOR PATIENTS WITH IBS:

 

Clinically proven, long lasting, multi-symptom IBS RELIEF for 1 month.‡
Advise customers to try it for a full month’s duration to see optimum benefits.7,12,13

Can be used LONG TERM§ in customers with IBS-type diarrhoea/constipation and accompanying abdominal pain/bloating.7,12,13

*Fybocalm is a medical device. Always read the instructions

‡Stool consistency significantly improved in treatment group at days 15 (p =0.04) and 28 (p<0.001) vs. placebo.
All patients in the treatment group reported normal stools at day 28.7
§FyboCalm constipation relief can be used for up to 1 month for long-term maintenance treatment compared to other OTC constipation treatments which can only be used for maximum of 3-5 days.14-16

Spotlight on FyboCalm Constipation Relief

In addition to the Gutshield technology, FyboCalm Constipation Relief also contains chia seeds, which help to provide a bulk-forming laxative effect.

> CLICK BELOW TO READ HOW FYBOCALM CONSTIPATION RELIEF
is clinically proven to provide long-lasting relief from IBS-C for 1 month.‡7

FYBOCALM CONSTIPATION RELIEF

Clinically proven, long-lasting relief from IBS-CII symptoms for 1 month‡7

RANDOMISED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED CROSSOVER STUDY

AT 15 DAYS7

  • SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN CONSTIPATION vs placebo (both p<0.001)

  • SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN ABDOMINAL PAIN AND BLOATING vs placebo (both p<0.001)

  • SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY OF LIFE with clinically meaningful improvement at 1 month (both p<0.001)

AT 1 MONTH7

  • REDUCTIONS IN ABDOMINAL PAIN AND BLOATING were maintained for an additional 8 weeks post a 4-week treatment course

AFTER 1 MONTH7

  • Of patients had RETURNED TO NORMAL STOOLS at the end of the 28-day treatment course, vs 0% taking placebo (p<0.001)

‡Stool consistency significantly improved in treatment group at days 15 (p =0.04) and 28 (p<0.001) vs. placebo.
All patients in the treatment group reported normal stools at day 28.7
‖IBS-C: IBS with predominant constipation, i.e. more than 25% of bowel movements that are hard or lumpy
(Types 1 and 2 on the Bristol Stool Form Scale).
Bristol Stool Form Scale score at baseline = Type 1 or Type 2.1

When to refer17

Your customer should ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if they:

  • Have lost a lot of weight for no reason

  • Are bleeding or have bloody diarrhoea

  • Find a hard lump or swelling in the abdomen

  • Have shortness of breath, palpitations and skin that's paler than usual

THESE COULD BE SIGNS OF SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS.

Managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

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