A GP may refer you to an NHS dietitian if general changes to your diet and lifestyle have not helped your IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) symptoms.
They can suggest other changes to your diet that may help your symptoms.
Low FODMAP diet
A dietitian may recommend a diet called a low FODMAP diet.
This involves avoiding foods that are not easily broken down by the gut, such as some types of:
- fruit and vegetables
- milk
- wheat products
Watch a video guide from NHS dietitians about IBS
This 35-minute video guide can help you learn more about managing your symptoms of IBS.
It's similar to the advice you'd get if you saw a dietitian.
The guide covers things like:
- general diet tips for IBS
- advice on certain types of food, like dairy and gluten
- basics of the low FODMAP diet
- allergy testing
Watch the IBS diet video guide
If you want to see a dietitian privately, make sure they're registered with the British Dietetic Association (BDA).
Find a BDA-registered dietitian
If pharmacy medicines are not helping with your symptoms of IBS, a GP may prescribe a stronger medicine, such as:
These are antidepressants, but they can also help ease IBS symptoms.
They may take a few weeks to start working and can cause side effects.
A GP may refer you to a specialist if you have severe symptoms and other medicines have not helped.
If you have had IBS for a long time and other treatments are not helping, a GP may refer you for a talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
This can help if stress or anxiety is triggering your symptoms. It can also help you cope with your condition better.
You can also refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP.
These offer therapies like CBT for common mental health problems like stress, anxiety and depression.
Find out more about NHS talking therapies
The IBS Network is the national charity for people with IBS. It provides information and advice about living with IBS and offers an online forum.
