Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. A great deal of discomfort and distress is observed because of irritable bowel syndrome. However, it will not cause a permanent harm to the intestines, and does not lead to any serious problems like cancer does. Most people are able to control their symptoms with the help of diet, stress management, and prescribed medications. For numerous people, it becomes difficult to stay at social events for longer periods of time, or to work continuously, or to travel to large distances.
Irritable bowel syndrome is associated with symptoms like bloating (accumulation of gas), increased abdominal pain, discomfort, problems in passing stools, constipation etc. Some people may even have infrequent bowel movements. Often, many people have complained to the doctors that they are not able to pass out stools or are able to pass very small amount of stools. Some have reported that they pass some mucus-like fluid along with stool. In many cases, persons suffering from irritable bowel syndrome often get diarrhea and pass out watery stools. There is always an emergency for such persons who are not able to control their bowel movements.
The exact cause for irritable bowel syndrome is not yet known, however doctors have to say that people who are suffering from it have more sensitive colons. Their colons are very sensitive to particular foodstuffs, which often cause diarrhea. They are also sensitive to stress.
Irritable bowel syndrome is commonly observed in women and the number of affected women is more as compared to men. The disease becomes more severe in females during their menstrual periods. The disease is common within the age of 35 years or lesser than that. Almost 20% of the population suffers with this disease and most among them are adults.
Home Remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome can be corrected by using certain remedies at the household level. The following are some easy home remedies for irritable bowel syndrome that can be used to get relief from the symptoms of this syndrome and to seek complete treatment from it:-
All kinds of mint oils are very good for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Peppermint oil capsules available in the market can be safely taken as per the dosage mentioned on their covers. You can also use peppermint oil in the following manner. Take about two to three drops of peppermint oil and put it in about a quarter cup of warm water. Drink this solution four times in a day. This remedy provides an immediate relief from irritable bowel syndrome. This is one of the useful home remedies for irritable bowel syndrome.
Be careful of the diet for irritable bowel syndrome you eat when you have irritable bowel syndrome. Do not eat foods that cause heat in the body, as they can aggravate your condition further. Instead, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those which have a high content of soluble fiber in it. Fibers help in movement of bowel and in proper elimination of the fecal matter from them.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a very beneficial herb in curing all kinds of digestive maladies. The curative properties of this herb have been well-known to ancient Asian medicine, and in recent times, the western world has conducted several encouraging experiments of the effects of ginger on the human digestive system. When you have irritable bowel syndrome problems, consume ginger in any form; it really helps. Drink ginger tea or eat raw ginger. This will prevent and reduce the case of inflammation if it happens while passing stools. However, though ginger is an excellent remedy, it must be avoided by pregnant women. Even people who have conditions like gallstones, or those who are taking some kind of medication for heart conditions or for diabetes must avoid the use of ginger. This is one of the important home remedy for irritable bowel syndrome.
Another excellent traditionally Indian remedy for the treatment of all digestive problems is the Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), known as amalaki in the local language. Amalaki is a very rich source of vitamin C. If you eat amalaki regularly, you will be protected from irritable bowel syndrome. Even if you consume amalaki when you suffer from the disease, you will see great positive benefits. Amalaki helps in preventing indigestion and hyperacidity also.
Flax seeds help in cleaning out your stomach and correcting whatever digestive impairment has occurred. When you have irritable bowel syndrome, it is advisable to eat some flax seed everyday. This is an another simplest irritable bowel syndrome remedy.
Drink lots of water. You must consume about 8-10 glasses daily. This is an excellent therapy when there are digestive problems like the irritable bowel syndrome. Consumption of adequate amount of water also helps to maintain the normal color of urine and also helps people who are suffering from constipation. Water helps the digestive fibers to perform their functions effectively. This is an effective irritable bowel syndrome cure.
Triphala choorna is one of the best Ayurvedic medicines in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Triphala is a mixture of three very important herbal powders – amalaki (Indian gooseberry), bibhitaki (Beleric Myrobalan) and haritaki (Chebulic Myrobalan). It has been traditionally proved that this Ayurvedic preparation is excellent in causing proper digestion to occur. Triphala capsules are available at any Ayurvedic outlet. If you have two capsules of this preparation spread out in a day, then you will gradually find relief. Triphala is a slow but permanently acting medicine. You will have to allow it time before it can show its positive effects. This is one of the best irritable bowel syndrome treatment.
Asafetida is a good remedy for some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. If there is a constricted feeling in the throat, or a feeling as if some food particle is stuck in the stomach, then regular consumption of asafetida will help in the control and treatment of the symptoms. This is one of the best natural remedy for irritable bowel syndrome.
In most people, chamomile tea taken once a day could be beneficial for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. However, before using this remedy, it is necessary to check if one is allergic to chamomile.
Effective irritable bowel syndrome treatment is to use some caraway seeds in the diet when there are symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. However, the use of this should be curtailed during pregnancy and for children who are under two years old.
One very simple remedy to do when you have irritable bowel syndrome (and one which can never go wrong) is to perform exercise. Irritable bowel syndrome generally happens in people who lead sedentary lifestyles; and if you start some activity, then you do get relief. Try walking for about half an hour when you have this condition. You will see that the syndrome starts healing up sooner than you imagine. This is a good natural remedy for irritable bowel syndrome.
Get Rid of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a digestive disorder, so obviously to prevent it you must follow some specific dietary guidelines. By following a healthy eating pattern, you can be free from irritable bowel syndrome forever. The following are some tips and pointers for dietary regimes you must follow.
(i) Eat foods that suit your own body system. Everybody has some foods which they are allergic to; these foods must be eliminated from the diet. Parents should not force their children to eat foods that apparently do not suit their body systems, even if the foods are considered to be very healthy. For example, some people are allergic to soy, even though it is one of the richest protein sources in the world. Such people should avoid soy despite its nutritional value.
(ii) Always include a healthy amount of fibers in your diet. Include legumes such as peas, lentils beans etc which are a rich source of fiber.
(iii) Instead of taking large meals twice a day, take smaller meals more times throughout the day and drink plenty of water. Eat foodstuffs which are rich in carbohydrates say rice, pasta, wheat, etc.
(iv) Do not dump your body with different kinds of foods one on top of the other. It is always ideal to wait for at least three hours to allow one meal to get completely digested before you eat another meal. Do not eat a meal unless the previous one is completely digested.
(v) Some foods cause gas. The effect of gassy foods differs from person to person. If you have identified a food that causes you gas, then you must avoid consumption of that food henceforth.
(vi) Try as much as possible to keep a fixed timetable for eating and then adhere to it. Do not confuse your body's digestive system by eating at widely fluctuating times each day. A confused digestive system cannot work well, and can cause irritable bowel syndrome.
(vii) When eating, chew your food well, so that it gets masticated properly. This is important because most starchy foods are digested in the mouth itself due to salivary action.
(viii) Eating in cool and relaxed surroundings also helps. This has a psychological effect on the person; but it does help in digestion.
(ix) Avoid oily and spicy foods. These are difficult to digest. Even foods containing caffeine must be avoided as they can meddle with the normal digestive functioning of the body. Artificial sweeteners must also be avoided.
(x) Aerated drinks can cause bloating and formation of gas within the stomach. If you have a sensitive digestive system, then you would do better to avoid such foods.
(xi) Alcohol is also to be avoided completely if you have a weak digestive system.
(xii) If you are used to taking milk, try consuming it in the daytime. This is contrary to what most people believe, but there is a reason behind it. Milk taken in the daytime has better scope of digestion than if taken in the nighttime.
(xiii) Do not retire to bed immediately after dinner. Give yourself at least two hours of physical activity before going to bed.
Moreover, it is very important to exercise regularly and keep your body fit. A physically healthy body is more capable of digesting foods. Also stay away from stress-causing conditions. Stress is an important causative factor of several digestive problems, including the irritable bowel syndrome.
