Tips for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

3 Comments

1. gerbil says:

   September 13, 2011 at 9:19 pm

   See this website for info on IBS http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/ibs1.shtml

   ESSENTIALLY THEY SAY, WATCH YOUR DIET!

   Make a food diary. Try to work out how your diet relates to your symptoms, by comparing what you have eaten with bad attacks.

   The gut normally responds to food by contracting, and the strength of the response seems to be linked to the amount of fat in the meal. So try to cut down on the fat in your diet. Avoid fat-rich food, such as dairy food, ensure your milk is skimmed or semi-skimmed, and cook with minimal fat by baking or steaming food rather than frying or roasting.

   Avoid large meals as they can trigger spasms. Instead, eat small amounts more often.

   Make sure that you rule out lactose intolerance as a cause of your symptoms – this condition is often mistaken for IBS. As many as one in ten people in the UK – and more among those of African or Asian descent – has lactose intolerance, as they lack the enzyme necessary to digest lactose (the sugar found in milk and used in many manufactured food products). Lactose from foods passes undigested to the large bowel, where it is fermented by the gut bacteria, resulting in cramps and gas production. Lactose intolerance can cause symptoms very similar to IBS. Cut down on dairy products and see if your symptoms improve. You can also try supplements of lactase –the enzyme that digests lactose.
   Eat soluble fibre

   Fibre can help to reduce IBS symptoms and prevent spasms. But be careful what type of fibre you eat and how much you consume because people can react very differently. In diarrhoea, fibre may firm up and slow down the passage of stools, but some people with IBS also get constipation and then fibre can bulk up and soften stools, making them easier to pass.

   But fibre can aggravate both constipation and diarrhoea. Current thinking is that soluble fibre is probably most helpful for people with IBS. High levels of soluble fibre are found in vegetables, such as potatoes, and some fruits (apples and citrus), dried beans, oats and barley.

   Insoluble fibre may also be helpful for constipation. Good sources include wheat bran, whole grains, cereals, seeds and the skins of many fruits and vegetables.

   Fibre supplements may be worth a try, too. You may find an increase in gas and bloating at first, but this will soon calm down.
   Tackle stress

   Try to get as much sleep as you need, ensure there’s a least one set period each week when you can have some time exclusively for yourself (ideally, you should do this at least once a day) and take up some relaxation therapies.
   Get expert help

   There are drugs that can help reduce spasms in IBS. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist, especially if things get really bad.

   A couple of words of warning. Occasionally, chronic gastrointestinal infections can lead to IBS symptoms, so it’s important you see your doctor to confirm the diagnosis is IBS.

   Second, if you pass blood when you open your bowels, get checked by your doctor as this isn’t normal, even in IBS.
   Other treatments

   Peppermint oil and antispasmodic medication relieve abdominal pain. Anti-diarrhoea medication will stop diarrhoea. If constipation is a problem then increasing fluid, fibre, activity, as well as taking a gentle laxative may be recommended.

   More recent research has shown that improving the natural gut flora or friendly bacteria found within the gut can reduce symptoms. You can do this either by taking prebiotics (special “foods” which increase the levels of your own bacteria), probiotics (extra supplements of gut bacteria themselves) or a combination of both.

   The most natural source of probiotics are foods such as washed but unpeeled root vegetables, but it is difficult to get enough this way. You can use probiotic yoghurts and drinks but the best way to be sure to get good concentrations of the friendly bacteria into the gut may be to take specific probiotic supplements (ask in the pharmacy or at your health store).

   Studies have shown that these treatments may help reduce symptoms such as bloating and flatulence. Friendly bacteria to look out for include Lactobacillus rhamnosus plantarum and bifidobacteria.
   Top
   Advice and support

   The Gut Trust
   Helpline: 0114 272 3253
   Email: info@theguttrust
   Website: http://www.theguttrust.rg

   Core
   Tel: 020 7486 0341
   Email: info@corecharity.org.uk
   Website: http://www.corecharity.org.uk
   .
2. mainiacfrommaine says:

   September 13, 2011 at 9:19 pm

   i have gastritus, i know someone with ucleric colitus and someone else i know has irratable bowel syndrome, the first and the last both benifit from high fiber diets, but you have to increase your fiber slowly or it makes it worse, this isnt just reading labels for fiber content. its all those pulpy left overs from jiucing fruits and vegatables that benefit the most. thats the fiber i am talking about. so anyvegatable with alot of pulp like squashes or brococlli or zuccini, but while increasing fiber remember fiber can cause gas, so take beano or a taablet to stop gas while increasing your fiber. i dont know why oats hurt you, my cousin with ulceric colitus cant eat oats, but she’s sopoosed to watch her diet and choose based on what doesnt make it worse for her personally, yet she hates oats so doesnt even try em so she cant eat them. eat your favorite vegatbles. keep a journal what to stay away from after it happens after you ate blah blah blah. stay away from processed meats if you can as much as you can. eat meats that you cooked and it was from the butcher not the grocery store. try it out.
3. Carrie from Air Purifier says:

   December 6, 2011 at 6:44 pm

   You should probably go visit a doctor, to be having this condition at your age isn’t a good thing. I had a lot of stomach issues growing up and though for the most part I think it sorted itself out, but I wish I had gone to the doctor more and followed the medical advice they could’ve given me.