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The Seven Steps to Taking the Pain out of IBS
Step 1
Get Diagnosed
Be sure that your symptoms are due to IBS and not another condition

Step 2
Treat the root of the problem
To cope with pain, a number of treatments are available for painful abdominal spasms associated with IBS

Step 3
Exercise regularly
Exercise helps relieve depression and stress, stimulates normal contractions of your intestines and can help you feel better about yourself

Step 4
Identify your trigger foods
Keep a food diary. People can often identify food and drinks that trigger symptoms and diet can subsequently be modified

Step 5
Talk things through
It is often the case that stressful events can bring on or exacerbate symptoms. Through dealing with the bigger issues, the pain may be avoided. Don't be afraid to try psychological therapies

Step 6
De-stress
Stress can often be the cause of symptoms to flare-up and can further exacerbate an existing attack so look into relaxation techniques

Step 7
Be informed
It is important to feel in control of your symptoms so gather as much information you can.

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THIS MAKES SENSE TO ME!

And when it talks about a balanced diet they say:

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If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you are likely to notice that some foods trigger the symptoms more than others. The best way to identify which are your "trigger" foods is to keep an Abdominal Pain Diary for a number of weeks. In general, there are some types of foods that are common triggers of abdominal pain and cramps. These are:

fats and oils
red meat
dairy products and eggs
coffee, tea and cola beverages
frozen or very cold food or drinks
citrus fruits, unpeeled fruits and raw vegetables
Monitor the effect of these foods on your symptoms. Avoid them if they trigger an attack. Your healthcare professional may prescribe a diagnostic test known as a multiple exclusion diet: potential triggers are eliminated entirely from the diet, then re-introduced one by one. This helps identify the most troublesome foods.

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