If you have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you may experience chronic abdominal pain or discomfort, changes in bowel patterns, and bloating. IBS can also cause symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, or both, creating psychological and physical discomfort. It is a chronic condition and usually needs life-long management to relieve the symptoms. Here are three tips to relieve IBS symptoms:
1. Dietary Changes
Certain foods, such as caffeine, alcohol, fried and ultra-processed foods, legumes and beans, and dairy, may trigger irritable bowel syndrome. Meals containing large quantities of fructose, lactose, and sorbitol can cause abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, bloating, and intestinal gas production. Caffeinated beverages and fatty foods often trigger colonic contractions as a reaction to food intolerance. Pre-packed and processed foods may contain preservatives that cause a flare-up.
An individual with diarrhea and IBS usually experience improvement by minimizing their intake of these foods. If you suffer from abdominal discomfort and bloating, you may benefit from reducing your consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet, making it easier for the small intestine to digest your meals. The best way to identify foods that trigger your symptoms is by consuming a bland diet. Observe how your body responds to know what foods to eat and which to avoid. A qualified IBS specialist can help you develop a diet plan that supports your nutrient intake with safe foods.
2. Lifestyle Changes
Psychological and physical stressors like a significant life change or a bowel infection can disturb interactions between the digestive system and the brain. These stressors often make symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome worse. If you have a history of trauma or anxiety, caring for the root of the problem often helps relieve symptoms. Relaxation and stress-reduction strategies like yoga, personal meditation, hypnosis, and stress management counseling may help relieve these symptoms. Increasing physical activity can also stimulate intestinal contractions, lessening some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Getting enough sleep each night is also used as a de-stressor.
3. Taking Medication
When determining a diagnosis for IBS, a doctor will likely check your medical history and perform physical tests and exams. Though no specific test can diagnose irritable bowel syndrome definitively, they help confirm that you do not have other conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease. Once other conditions are ruled out, doctors often prescribe medications to help relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Doctors may prescribe depressants for those with anxiety and depression along with abdominal pain. Or, they might prescribe laxatives and fiber supplements to ease constipation and anti-diarrheal to firm stool.
Find a Qualified IBS Specialist
The right specialist can offer relief from painful IBS symptoms and assist you in regaining normal intestinal function for a comfortable and healthy life. Qualified specialists have extensive training and knowledge in the gastrointestinal system’s physiology, anatomy, and diseases to diagnose and treat IBS. Treatment plans usually include a combination of approaches, such as lifestyle and dietary changes and medications. Contact a specialist today to begin creating an effective IBS management plan.
