Irritable bowel syndrome apps

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage.

Recording details of your symptoms and your diet, including the food you eat and drink, can help you learn how your body responds to certain foods and help you recognise patterns and triggers. It can also assist you to assess whether treatments are working for you and improve communication with your doctor by giving a more accurate description of your symptoms. This can be done by keeping a paper diary, or more recently with the use of apps on mobile phones.  

For many people, a successful way to help relieve IBS symptoms is to stay away from foods that include a family of carbohydrates known as FODMAPs. 

FODMAPs are fermentable oligo-saccharides, disaccharides, mono-saccharides and polyols and are contained in a wide range of foods including wheat products, onion, garlic products and some fruits and vegetables. Studies have shown that avoiding foods that contain FODMAPs is helpful in reducing IBS symptoms. 

The following apps can help you track your symptoms and help you identify high and low FODMAP foods. 

App	Features	Clinical score
Monash University FODMAP diet	Information and education Recipes Symptom diary Shopping lists Food guide Available from Google Play and iTunes Cost: $10.77(US) Read more about Monash University FODMAP diet
mySymptoms Food Diary (Lite)	Symptoms tracking Food diary Available from Google Play Cost: free(basic); paid upgrade Read more about mySymptoms Food Diary (Lite)
My Healthy Gut	Education and information (about gut health) Symptom tracking Meal plans and recipes Available from iTunes Cost: free (basic); paid upgrade Read more about My Healthy Gut	Free version: Paid version:
FODMAP Helper - Diet Companion	List of foods categorized as low or high FODMAP Free version has limited features  Available from Google Play Cost: free(basic); paid upgrade Read more about FODMAP Helper-Diet Companion	Free version:  Paid version:
Gi Bodyguard	Self-monitoring Tracking Reminders Available from Google Play and iTunes Cost: free Read more about Gi Bodyguard
Cara Care: IBS, FODMAP Tracker app	Diary Tracking Reminders Available from Google Play and iTunes Cost: free Read more about Cara Care: IBS, FODMAP Tracker app