IBS is very common in the UK with about twenty percent of the population likely to be affected at some stage in their lives. Only about ten percent of the adult population is diagnosed with IBS and of those that go to their family doctor with this condition, there are more women than men.
The symptoms of IBS include bloating, abdominal cramps, spasms, diarrhoea and constipation. Symptoms may affect people in different ways and can change very quickly from mild to severe.
If you suspect that you have IBS then you should, in the first instance, speak to your doctor as correct diagnosis and treatment is very important.
Hypnotherapy is included in the 2008 NICE [National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence] clinical guidelines, as an option for the management of IBS and particularly for individuals who have had the syndrome for over 12 months.
If you have been treated by your doctor for more than twelve months for IBS and your symptoms have not improved you may wish to seek the help of a hypnotherapist. If this is something you would like to try you must ask for a letter of referral from your family doctor.
If you want to know more follow the links for www.ibshelp.org.uk