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Your questions about IBS answered

• What is IBS?
• Is IBS a serious condition?
• Who gets IBS?
• How common is IBS?
• What are the symptoms of IBS?
• Do I need to see my GP?
• Do I need any tests?
• Causes
• Treatment

What is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, otherwise known as IBS, is a common gut disorder which has a wide and varying range of symptoms from bloating to severe abdominal pain.

Buscopan® IBS Relief is an antispasmodic which is clinically proven to provide effective relief from the painful abdominal cramps and spasms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Buscopan® IBS Relief is available in most high street drugstores, pharmacies and supermarkets. Visit http://www.ibs-relief.co.uk.

Who gets IBS?
Anyone. It affects men and women of all ages, although the onset of symptoms is most common in young women.

How common is IBS?
It is estimated that between one in three and one in five people will suffer from IBS at some point in their life.

What are the symptoms of IBS?
There are four main chronic and recurring symptoms of IBS: abdominal pain, constipation and/or diarrhoea and bloating. However, IBS can affect people in many different ways and other symptoms may also be present. These can include nausea, headache, excessive wind, poor appetite and bladder problems.

Do I need to see my GP?
If you suspect you may be experiencing symptoms of IBS, it is essential that you see your doctor so that IBS can be confirmed.

Do I need any tests?
Not usually. IBS is diagnosed by its symptoms, rather than a specific medical test. Sometimes tests may be advised if symptoms are not typical. This is to rule out other conditions such as ulcers and colitis.

Causes
The exact cause of IBS is unknown, but it is thought to be a combination of factors. These include:

• Overactivity in the gut
• Overactivity of the nerves and muscles in the intestines
• Food allergy or intolerance
• Hormonal factors
• Diet and lifestyle changes

Treatment
The most troublesome symptom of IBS is often the pain as a result of abdominal cramps and spasms. If your doctor has diagnosed IBS, there are treatments specifically designed to tackle the spasms, available without prescription which can be purchased at all major supermarkets and pharmacies.

Buscopan® IBS Relief can help relieve pain in medically confirmed IBS. It has a relaxing antispasmodic effect which works directly on the cramping muscle of your bowel to relieve the pain of cramps and spasms associated with IBS.

Buscopan® IBS Relief tablets contain hyoscine butylbromide, extracted from the Duboisia plant. It has an antispasmodic action which suppresses and relieves painful muscle spasms.

Buscopan® IBS Relief is available in a 20 tablet pack from pharmacies and most major supermarkets. First seek medical diagnosis. Always read the label.

Your pharmacist or GP will also be able to tell you more about managing IBS and offer advice on the most appropriate treatments for you.

Find out how to take the pain out of IBS

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