Irritable bowel syndrome apps
Irritable bowel syndrome apps
- There are a variety of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) apps, that may help you manage your condition better.
- Some of these apps offer specific features – tracking food intake, monitoring symptoms, providing dietary recommendations, offering stress-reduction techniques, and even connecting users with a community of others dealing with IBS.
- Learn more about irritable bowel syndrome apps and how to use them safely.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects your digestive system. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhoea, and constipation, or alternating periods of both. Read more about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
There are a variety of irritable bowel syndrome apps that may help you manage your condition better.
- FODMAP diet apps: These help you manage your intake of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs), which are a group of carbohydrates that can trigger IBS in some people.
- Symptom tracking and food diary apps: These help you track your food intake and monitor your symptoms to help you identify triggers and links between the foods you eat and your symptoms.
- Gut hypnotherapy apps: These look at the gut-brain connection and use the approach of gut-directed hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy works to improve the signals between your gut and brain to reduce pain sensations, improve bowel movements, and calm your IBS-related stress and anxiety.
Tips on how to use irritable bowel syndrome apps safely
Do (✔)
- Irritable bowel syndrome apps are best used under the supervision of your healthcare provider who can help you assess if the app is suitable for you.
- Use an app to keep track of your symptoms as part of your management plan.
- Use graphs and reporting for discussions with your healthcare provider.
- Be careful when reading information on discussion boards or group chat rooms. Some apps have interactive features where users can share their experiences. Be cautious, because in most cases these aren't monitored by a health professional so the advice or suggestions may not be safe or effective.
- Know when to seek help.
Don’t (✘)
- Don't rely on apps to make a diagnosis of your condition.
- Don't use treatments without first seeking medical and professional advice.
- Don't make changes to your medicines based on the recommendations from the app.
Before choosing an app, think about how it will benefit you and what you want it to be able to do.
- An app will only be helpful if you use it, so it needs to be something you like using and find easy to use.
- If you find the app difficult to use, or you don't like the imagery or look of it, or the language it uses, you may want to find another app that suits you better.
- For more guidance on how to choose health apps, see how to choose a health app.
- It's important to remember that apps don’t replace professional help or your doctor’s advice.
| FODMAP diet apps | ||
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Monash University Low FODMAP diet
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Cara Care – IBS, FODMAP Tracker app
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FODMAP Helper – Diet Companion
Free version:
Paid version:
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Symptom tracking and food diary apps |
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Paid version:
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Free version:
| Gut hypnotherapy apps |
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Nerva – IBS & Gut Hypnotherapy
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Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly. |
Factsheets – using health apps safely
How to choose a health app
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ
Privacy and security tips for using health apps
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ
Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
