The Ins and Outs of IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional bowel disorder, which means that although your intestines are in an uproar, they’re actually otherwise healthy and free of growths. IBS is thought to result from abnormal muscle contractions, and indeed people with IBS seem to be more sensitive to things that stimulate digestive tract muscle movement, such as stress and caffeine.

But don’t panic about long-term consequences: You can have symptoms of IBS for a long time, but aside from the discomfort, it won’t lead to cancer or other bowel diseases, and it won’t shorten your life expectancy.

So do you have IBS? You may be diagnosed with IBS if you have some of the below symptoms AND your doctor has ruled out other disorders such as Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis.
Intestinal cramping after meals, relieved only after a bowel movement

Urgency — a sudden feeling of needing to go to the bathroom

Chronic constipation or diarrhea, or a combination of both

Bloating

Mucus-laden stools

Feeling not quite empty after a bowel movement
So what can you do if you are one of the afflicted? There are a number of natural methods for promoting healthier intestinal activity.

Up your fiber intake. Fiber supplements such as Metamucil, Fiberall, or Citrucel help regulate bowel movements. Make sure you use water-soluble fiber, such as oat bran, pectin, or psyllium. Water-insoluble fiber, such as wheat bran, can cause more gas and make matters worse.

Learn your food intolerances. Dairy intolerance or various food allergies could be sending your digestive system into mutiny — try an elimination diet to find out what foods you can’t tolerate.

Cut out refined sugar. Processed sugar can cause overgrowth of intestinal bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, gas, and bloating.

Don’t eat sorbitol. Sorbitol, found in many sugarless gums, candies, and chocolates, can give you diarrhea.

Tailor your diet to your symptoms. If you’re suffering mostly from diarrhea, eat more starchy food such as bread, potatoes, and pasta. Try to avoid beans, broccoli, cabbage, apples, spicy foods, acidic foods (such as citrus fruit), fatty foods (such as bacon, sausage, butter, oil, and anything fried), and dairy products. Also avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. If you’re suffering mostly from constipation, try adding more fibrous foods to your diet, such as apples, pears, grapes, spinach, whole grains, and beans. Also, drink plenty of water.

Regulate your eating patterns. Try eating small meals throughout the day — large meals can aggravate your symptoms. Eat at the same time each day, and about the same amount of food at each meal. Eat slowly, and try to relax and make mealtime a pleasant event.

Reduce your stress. Stress can kick your intestines into high gear, making them work overtime and causing discomfort. Try regular exercise, meditation, counseling, or even hypnosis to level out your stress.

Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep is known to worsen IBS symptoms.

Don’t overuse laxatives. Unless your doctor recommends them, don’t regularly self-treat with laxatives. In some cases, they may aggravate the problem over time.

Should You See a Doctor?
If intestinal chaos is upsetting your life — affecting work, social events, travel, or relationships with friends and family — talk to your doctor. There’s no clinical test for IBS, so he or she will ask about your symptoms and begin to rule out other disorders, such as tumors, a parasite, endometriosis, or malabsorption syndrome. To rule these out, your doctor may ask for a stool sample, a biopsy, or have you undergo a flexible sigmoidoscopy (an exploratory tube inserted into your rectum).

Certain medications have been used to treat IBS. Antispasmodics are often prescribed despite the lack of evidence proving their efficacy. Antidiarrheal drugs can help people suffering from diarrhea. Antidepressants, tranquilizers and behavioral therapy may also aid in alleviating the symptoms of IBS.

When your family, you want a cheap and safe individual first aid kits and survival advice, you’ve come to the best site. Learn everything about first aid, accident, medical emergency.

Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Comments are closed.