What is IBS?

IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which is a malfunction in our digestive system. Everybody can become a victim of this disorder. However, people most afflicted by this disorder are those in middle age or adulthood. Women are more susceptible to it than men.

How to confirm If It Is IBS?

There are many common symptoms of IBS, although it may not be the same for everybody. A number of people experience some discomfort, abdominal pains, and bloating. While others notice mucus in their feces, feel abdominal cramps, an alteration in their bowel habits, constipation, and diarrhea. There are some who do not experience it regularly while there are others who feel it more frequently. Women who have IBS will usually suffer more during their menstrual periods.

People who suffer from IBS are found to be more sensitive compared to normal people. The abdominal muscles of those with IBS would contract shortly after meals, thus causing diarrhea or cramping. Their nerves also become delicate resulting to more frequent bowel movements.

How to Fight IBS?

There are natural supplements that you can use to regulate IBS. You can drink peppermint oil. Sometimes, it comes in enteric-coated capsules. You may also use other medicinal plants such as lemon balm, rosemary, valerian, and chamomile. These herbs have antispasmodic qualities that make them effective. To regulate hyperacidity and indigestion, consume some amla. Ginger can also be used to trim down swelling. Therefore, gobble up some raw ginger or sip some ginger tea.

Vegetables and fruits are healthy for the diet and would help fight IBS. Fiber-rich foods also help reduce the symptoms and improve the digestion process. Stay away from fat and caffeine because they may give you intestinal cramps. As much as possible drink plenty of water instead of carbonated beverages. Around eight glasses of water will do well to your body. Carbonated beverages will increase the gas in your body and will only aggravate the situation. Instead of gobbling up large quantities of food in one sitting, eat in small quantities more frequently. Put in a lot of carbohydrates in your diet such as pasta and rice that serve as home remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Aside from good eating habits, do some regular exercise. Avoid laxatives. Relax! Do not take in stress and tension as they will only trigger IBS.

Simple Ways on How to Cope With IBS

Not all tummies are created the same. Some can cope with anything you put into the,. Other will just have to definitely go wrong during a party after you tasted everything on the table. Still, there are other tummies who really get upset about just one trickle of milk on its digestive tract. We have to understand that there are certain foods and beverages that trigger abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea, or all of them at once, thus giving you the IBS. It has been thought by some medical practitioners in America that IBS or spastic colon is next to common cold when it comes to medical complaints. However, let us not be anxious. There are different ways to cope with this syndrome.

First, we have to recognize the cause of this disorder and we have to be aware about the moments when it occurs. Stress is what often causes IBS. Know the times when you are stressed, keep a diary where you can jot down all the stress and tension that you encounter on a particular day and your tummy’s reaction to each event. Then analyze the pattern of its occurrences. Having a stress diary can help you avoid a stressful life.

Aside from the stress diary, you could also write down the food and drinks you take in. Because some food and drinks trigger IBS, by keeping track of your diet you will be able to recognize which particular food and beverage is causing the IBS. Thus, you will be able to avoid eating or drinking the stressor next time.

Make sure you de-stress by engaging in biofeedback, self-hypnosis and meditation. These are just a few of relaxation techniques could help you reduce instances of IBS. You may also consider psychological counseling if you think it is needed. What is important is you find what works for you.

According to the psychiatrist and gastroenterologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine named Douglas A, Drossman, M.D., "There's a very good connection between stress and an irritable bowel." He recognizes IBS as a “vicious cycle” because people with IBS have to get de-stressed but what happens is they get stressed over their IBS. Remember to relax during episodes of IBS because if you get stressed out it will only worsen things. Keep in mind that the disorder is not deadly as you might probably feel during episodes and that this thing has happened before and will soon pass.

Since food plays a major role in our digestion, we have to be aware of what we intake as the first step of home remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. James B. Rhodes, M.D., a professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City , says that adding fiber in the diet will give relief to people prone to constipation and those who defecate hard, small stools. But it can also aid people with diarrhea. Non-soluble fibers such as those found in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and bran, are the best ones to add in your diet.

According to William J. Snape, M.D., director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance , California who is also a medicine professor and chief of the Gastroenterology Unit, most people who experience IBS are actually lactose intolerants, which means that your body has a difficulty taking in the enzyme lactose, usually seen in milk. So, it may be best to give up milk however nutritious it may be if you are suffering IBS or if found to be lactose intolerant.

Another thing that Dr. Snape stressed out is that fat can cause colonic contractions, thus it contributes to IBS. This is another good reason why you should cut down fat as an attempt to start good home remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. To start with, eliminate fried foods, heavy sauces and salad oils.

Drinking lots and lots of water will further improve your condition. Water, like fiber, helps maintain a smooth regular bowel movement and is the best home remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Six to eight glasses is the recommended intake; however, you may also need to drink more during summer than during cold season.

Furthermore, Dr. Rhodes has more to say about food intake. Acidic foods can be inconvenient and worrying to some people with IBS. Try cutting down grapefruits, vinegary salad dressings, tomatoes, and oranges. It might improve you condition.

When offered gas-inducing vegetables or fruits, make a pass. Gas can trigger IBS in some people. Therefore, avoid onions, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels , sprouts, cabbage, and beans to prevent flatulence.

Dr. Rhodes says that there are people with IBS who are often sensitive to spicy foods. To know if you are under this category, make a simple experiment. For one week, eat foods with lots of spices. Then, eat mild foods the next week. Compare the reaction of your digestive system. If you find out that spicy foods trigger IBS, then cut down the spices.

Excessive fiber can produce gas. So, if you will add fiber in your diet, Dr. Rhodes recommends that you do it gradually so that your body will have time for adjustments.

In the case of severe abdominal pains, Dr. Snape advises that you put a bottle of hot water or a heating pad on your tummy while you are sitting or lying down. Taking a deep breath and staying calm also help reduce the pain.

Coffee lovers will be disappointed to know that caffeine or the resins in the coffee beans are one of the major causes of IBS, according to Dr. Snape. Try decaffeinated coffee instead and observe the results. If it doesn’t do any good, bid the coffee out.

Dr. Snape says that there are complex carbohydrates in beer and tannin in red wine which causes symptoms of IBS. Although alcohol itself is not the main problem, avoid drinking this beverage and opt for something else.

Women are frequently the ones affected by IBS, especially during menstrual period. When hormonal changes occur, says Dr. Drossman, Advil or Panadol are just some examples of Ibuprofen that may impede the main cause of the problem which is the hormonal release.

Crushed psyllium seed is a natural laxative found in supermarkets, drug stores and pharmacies. One example of psyllium-based laxative is the Metamucil. It is safe and non addictive compared to other chemical laxatives. Taking crushed psyllium seed, says Dr. Drossman, will help increase fiber in the body.

According to Dr. Drossman, candies and gums that are artificially sweetened by sorbitol are hard to digest which is not good for IBS patients. Gobbling to many of these sweets can worsen your IBS so you may want to cut down on or resist your urge to eat sweets for a while.

Most people with IBS are smokers, says Dr. Snape. Nicotine triggers the syndrome so chewing nicotine gum will not help either. It is best to quit smoking once and for all.

Regular exercise helps tone and strengthens the muscles in your body. Endorphins are released through regular exercise. Endorphins help you bear the pains you feel when you are having IBS. Your irritable bowel will calm down by jogging. However, too much of it could also lead to diarrhea. So take it easy. Always remember what Dr. Rhodes said, “Good body tone, good bowel tone.”

It is good that we are aware of our foods intake but we must also consider how we take in these foods. According to Dr. Snape, not only the kind of foods that could trigger an irritable bowl; when and how we take them are also part of the process. If we eat too much at one time, our digestive system over stimulates which is not good. Eating small meals frequently is a better habit compared to large frequent ones.

Irritable bowl syndrome is not deadly. However, it is better that we know these things to prevent discomfort and to help us live a stress-free life!