In this Article

• What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
• What is the bowel?
• What causes IBS in children?
• Who gets IBS?
• What are the symptoms of IBS in children?
• How is IBS in children diagnosed?
• How is IBS in children treated?
• What is the outlook for a child with IBS?
• Points to remember
• Hope through research
• For more information
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children Glossary
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children Index

How is IBS in children treated?

No cure for IBS exists; however, treatment can reduce symptoms. Treatment is guided by the symptoms present, their severity, and the child's response to treatment. Treatment includes dietary changes, medication, and stress management.

Dietary Changes

• Reducing or eliminating certain foods may improve symptoms. Common trigger foods include fatty foods, dairy products, carbonated beverages, and caffeine. Keeping a diary of symptoms, bowel habits, and diet may help identify foods that trigger IBS symptoms.
  
  
• Eating high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grain breads and cereals, may also help. Fiber helps relieve constipation and promotes regular bowel movements.
  
  
• Eating several small meals throughout the day instead of a few large ones may reduce symptoms.

Medications to Control Constipation and Diarrhea

• Fiber supplements, such as Metamucil or Citrucil, help control constipation.
  
  
• Laxatives, such as PEG 3350 (MiraLax, GlycoLax), mineral oil, or bisacodyl (Dulcolax), relieve moderate to severe constipation.
  
  
• Loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) help relieve diarrhea.
  
  
• Antispasmodics, such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), relax smooth muscle contractions in the bowel and can, theoretically, lessen pain related to IBS but should be used with caution due to potentially serious side effects.
  
  
• Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), are used to treat IBS, although their effectiveness in children is not well documented.

Before taking any of these medications, children and their parents should seek the advice of a health care provider to help weigh the potential benefits against the risk of possible side effects.

Stress Management

Understanding that IBS is not a life-threatening disease can help reduce a child's anxiety, which may in turn lessen IBS symptoms. Certain types of counseling, including cognitive behavior therapy and hypnotherapy, have been shown to help manage IBS symptoms. Parents can help reduce a child's stress by discussing potential IBS-related issues with school personnel—for example, the need for ready access to a private restroom.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• dicyclomine, Bentyl, Byclomine, Dibent, Di-Spaz, Dilomine - Explains the medication dicyclomine (Bentyl), a drug used n the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
• Abdominal Pain - Learn about abdominal pain (pain in the stomach / abdomen) including causes, symptoms, how abdominal pain is diagnosed, and how abdominal pain is treated.
• polyethylene glycol (peg) 3350-oral, Miralax - Consumer information about the medication POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG) 3350 - ORAL (Miralax), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG) 3350 - ORAL.

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