Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief Treatments

People who suffer with Irritable Bowel Syndrome are usually caught between 2 extremes: diarrhea or constipation. So, if you have an irritable bowel, treat it, or at least relieve it with these methods.

The condition can go untreated for years, either because the doctor is unable to definitively diagnose the condition or because the sufferer seeks over the counter medication to control the symptoms.

To diagnose IBS there needs to be good evidence that the symptoms and problems are not being caused by other conditions.  This is a precautionary approach, as although IBS is painful and irritating, and can effect a person’s lifestyle and mental health, it is not known to be life threatening.

Ensuring that the patient is not suffering from more serious conditions is the doctor’s first job, and only when the symptoms and tests show that there are no other conditions to explain the symptoms, is IBS considered a possible cause.

This diagnosis can take a while to be delivered and it is not unusual for people to use over the counter remedies for years before being formally diagnosed with IBS.

A common approach to dealing with IBS that is often discussed with the patient is making lifestyle adjustments. It is believed that numerous lifestyle issues can contribute to a person developing this disorder, or at least aggravating the condition.

Therefore a change in lifestyle habits is usually recommended in order to prevent any continuing problems.  One of the biggest issues for IBS is stress.  If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome then some of the methods that have shown promise include this relaxation techniques, regular exercise and proper hydration and nutrition.  Walking each day and drinking sufficient water (8 – 10 glasses) can often help the symptoms and also help with stress reduction.

It is very important to understand that there are some foods that may further irritate your digestive tract.  These foods may cause you to have additional problems. If you have allergies or intolerance to certain foods then they should be avoided.  Commonly people can be yeast and milk intolerant, so check your symptoms if you have either of these in your diet and see if you are reacting to them adversely.

Also, the symptoms of IBS can cause further complications, like diarrhea leading to dehydration, so it is really important to keep yourself hydrated and replace lost fluids.

Constipation can cause a person to strain during bowel movements and so potentially develop hemorrhoids.

It is recommended that you maintain a food diary so that you are able to keep a track of the foods you eat throughout the day and any symptoms that you may have.  In this way you can keep a log of the foods that need to be avoided while you gain control over your symptoms.  It may be possible to reintroduce these foods again slowly once symptoms are under control.

Some dietary items that patients who are suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome are often told to avoid include carbonated beverages and raw fruits and vegetables.  These may contribute to you having more gas and bloating.  One of the other foods that you should avoid is caffeine because of its dehydrating effects.

There are 3 medications that doctors will normally use to treat IBS.  The first is an antispasmodic, which is given to prevent colon spasms and the pain that these can cause. These spasms are not only painful, but they can also upset the balance of your digestion, which can then lead to additional health problems.

The second medication that is often prescribed is an antidepressant.  These will help you to relax and therefore can potentially help minimize your symptoms.

The third medication that doctors may prescribe is a mild muscle relaxant.  Usually, these are prescribed because both antispasmodics and antidepressants can cause dehydration, which in turn may lead to more problems with constipation.

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Currently, researchers are working on developing the correct combination of medications for an irritable bowel treatment.  However, they have yet to determine what the cause of this disorder is.  Until they know this, they are only able to treat the obvious symptoms and the lifestyle issues that accompany them.

So, to soothe an irritable bowel, treat it, or at least relieve it with the methods that are included in this article.

Sign up for the free Irritable Bowel Syndrome Newsletter and discover new and natural methods to either soothe Irritable Bowel, treat or relieve symptoms. You can also find more irritable bowel syndrome resources here.
 

Irritable bowel syndrome, which is also known as spastic colon, is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects a lot of people.  Constipation with Irritable Bowel Syndrome is common, in men and women alike.

IBS does not discriminate against any age, as a person can get it regardless of age and statistics indicate that up to 1 in 5 Americans suffer from this disorder, with 1 in 10 visits to the doctors being related to IBS, albeit mostly mild cases.

Although IBS effects both sexes, more women suffer with IBS than men.

Oftentimes IBS goes completely untreated.  This is because a lot of people are uncomfortable, or even embarrassed, about discussing the associated symptoms with a doctor. Also the symptoms tend to come in bouts and are not always constant so may have cleared up by the time your appointment comes round.

This disorder affects the functions of the colon, also known as the large intestine, but there is no structural damage that occurs in a person with IBS.  However, there are several main symptoms that are recognizable. These include abdominal bloating, pain, cramping, diarrhea and constipation. 

It is important to understand that there are several different types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  If you suffer predominantly from diarrhea then it is sometimes referred to as IBS-D.  On the other hand, if you suffer primarily from constipation, then you have IBS-C.

Of course, it is also possible that your symptoms might alternate, in which case you have IBS-A.  There is also another type that you may not even realize is possible.  IBS-PI (post-infectious) is a type of Irritable Bowel Syndrome that directly relates to your having a bacterial infection in your gastrointestinal system.

Currently there is not a specific cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome known.  One popular theory is that patients who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome have an unusually sensitive colon.  Their colon is said to react strongly to stress and certain foods.

One thing is known is that with the onset of IBS, the amount of water that the intestines absorb can be effected, which effects the consistency of the stool. Furthermore, it is thought that that the immune and nervous system is believed to affect either the symptoms or onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. 

Recently there have been studies done that show that there may be a direct relationship between abnormal serotonin levels and IBS. Serotonin is responsible for regulating the movement and sensitivity of the bowels, and so abnormalities in seratonin levels can cause abnormality in the bowel function.  Also, abnormalities in serotonin levels have been linked to increased levels of general anxiety disorders (GAD).

Thankfully this disorder can be controlled by changes to diet, lifestyle and medication where required

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If your main IBS symptom is constipation, then there are some simple steps that can be taken to help ease the discomfort.

Increasing the levels of fiber in the diet help the digestive and waste elimination process by adding bulk and softening the stool.  Fiber can be found in a variety of foods, but it is rich in cereal, bread, beans, bran and many vegetables.

Increase the levels of bran in the diet slowly, as adding more too quickly can cause some of the usual IBS symptoms to be triggered.  There is also the option to increase fiber intake by taking fiber supplements.

Regular exercise can help the body process waste more effectively by “massaging” the gut.  The exercise does not need to be strenuous, just a brisk walk a few times a week to start off with will aid the body’s digestion and waste processing.

Ensure that sufficient water is being consumed.  It is recommended that at least 6-8 glasses of water be drunk each day, which will help the body keep the stool moist and to ease the elimination process.

We have discussed a few methods to help relieve constipation with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but it always advised that if you make any changes to your diet you seek advice from a qualified nutritionist, dietician or your doctor.

Sign up for the free Irritable Bowel Syndrome Newsletter and discover new and natural methods to relieve constipation with Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. You can also find more irritable bowel syndrome resources here.

There has now been an anxiety irritable bowel syndrome link established.

It is believed that treating the anxiety associated with IBS may help relieve some of the physical symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Stress management, behavioral therapy and hypnosis have all shown promising results as part of an Irritable Bowel Syndrome treatment plan.

The Journal of Clinical Nursing has carried out a study that focused on treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome and anxiety with hypnosis.  In this study 75 patients participated in numerous hypnosis sessions over a 3-month period.

The results showed that hypnosis is an effective way to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  In fact, the patients who participated in this study reported that their abdominal pain and bloating subsided, and their energy and sense of wellbeing increased.

There have been numerous books and papers written about how you can manage anxiety.  Since the majority of Irritable Bowel Syndrome treatment plans include efforts to reduce anxiety, especially while you are eating, then these books can teach you some wonderful techniques.

Some of the techniques that have shown to have good results include deep breathing exercises and muscle relaxation techniques.  You will also learn that it is important to eat meals slowly, this helps reduce the anxiety, but also improves digestion.

Meals should be eaten in a relaxed environment and not at your desk or in front of your computer or television set.  Of course, our multi-tasking culture would tell us otherwise but usually leads to increased problems with IBS symptoms and may contribute to anxiety levels.

You will also discover that lessening your workload, or at least taking multiple breaks throughout the day, will allow you to be less anxious when it comes to mealtime.

Exercise is also a great way to manage and reduce your anxiety.  One exercise that you can do as much as you want, wherever you want, is walking.

Regardless of what type of exercise you choose to do, it is important that you do it regularly because it can not only reduce the levels of stress but it can also help reduce the Irritable Bowel Syndrome episodes.

One final suggestion for those who suffer from anxiety over their IBS symptoms is to eat smaller, yet more frequent, meals. Whenever a big meal is eaten additional stress is placed on the body, which can increase your Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms and leave you running for the bathroom.

Smaller, more regular meals mean the digestive process is not taxed.  This eating style is also recommended for those people who are looking to lose weight, want to increase metabolism, need to decrease heartburn. 

The anxiety irritable bowel syndrome connection has been well documented.  But the best way to help with the anxiety is to lessen the IBS symptoms, giving the sufferer back their quality of life.

If you are interested in trying hypnosis to treat your IBS symptoms then take a look at this IBS Hypnosis audio program, which has been given a customer rating of 4 ½ out of 5.

There have been a number of studies carried out about the impact of IBS symptoms, including irritable bowel syndrome migraine problems.  These studies have shown that people who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome are at an increased risk for suffering from migraines, fibromyalgia and depression.

Research has shown there to be an association between migraines and functional gastrointestinal disorders.

While there have been previous research done linking Irritable Bowel Syndrome with these disorders, the majority of the supporting evidence has come from case reports by Dr. J. Alexander Cole and colleagues, from Boston University.

Note: Unfortunately there was no reference group in these studies.  There also was no capability of fully controlling confounding factors.  These things prevented these studies from reaching definitive conclusions.

The most recent study appeared in the September 28, 2006 issue of BMC Gastroenterology.  This study involved more than 125,000 subjects and a reference cohort (a group of people sharing the same symptoms).

When these patients were compared to patients who do not have Irritable Bowel Syndrome the patients who had Irritable Bowel Syndrome were more than 60% likely to have either depression, migraines and fibromyalgia.

The risks of these individual problems rose as well.  For instance, people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome were 40% more likely to get depression, 60% more likely to get migraines and 80% more likely to get fibromyalgia.

Those patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and who also suffered from migraines were closely scrutinized.  It was discovered that while suffering from a migraine, these people also had various neurological and vascular symptoms.  They also suffered from gastrointestinal disturbances that included nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea. 

So, it should come as no surprise that migraine patients have oftentimes reported that they had problems with their bowels.  It should also not be a surprise that between 25 to 53% of patients who have Irritable Bowel Syndrome state that they frequently have headaches.

Together, migraines and Irritable Bowel Syndrome affect approximately 10 to 20% of the general population, usually predominantly affecting young adult women.  It is believed that the reason why women rather than men are affected is because of the role of estrogen in their bodies.

The nervous system is a source of numerous neurotransmitters and reflexes.  This has been linked to why there is a common link between Irritable Bowel Syndrome and migraines. Serotonin, which helps us maintain a “happy feeling,” and allows us to control our moods, help with sleep and calm anxiety and relieve stress, is actually the main neurotransmitter of the gastrointestinal tract. 

There are a lot of people who support, and many who are against the use of serotoninergic receptors, which are the most commonly used medications for treating irritable bowel syndrome migraines.  These tend to be because of the potential side effects of artificially regulating this natural hormone.

When health practitioners are better able to understand both of these disorders, then they will be better equipped to treat both the irritable bowel syndrome migraine symptoms together.

Sign up for the free Irritable Bowel Syndrome Newsletter and discover new and natural methods to manage your Irritable Bowel Syndrome migraine symptoms. You can also find more irritable bowel syndrome resources here.

An estimated 15 to 20% of the population within the United States is effected by Irritable Bowel symptom problems.

This means that more people are effected by this than are effected by depression, diabetes and asthma combined. A pretty overwhelming statistic don’t you think?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a troubling condition that is more physical in nature than it is psychological (which seemed to be the initial conclusion when IBS was first studied).

It is characterized by a series of symptoms that usually occur in your lower abdominal region.  The intensity of these symptoms can vary, even on a daily basis, being mild, moderate or severe in nature.

Most commonly gastroenterologists diagnose this disorder and it can affect people regardless of their age and ethnicity.

However, women are twice as likely to experience the condition than men are.  Researchers are still not sure why this is the case. Usually, when women find their Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms occur about the time when they are expecting their menstrual cycle.  However, Irritable Bowel Syndrome can occur at any time.

The term “irritable bowel” refers to disturbances or changes in regular bowel function. “Syndrome” is used to indicate that there are numerous symptoms instead of one exclusive symptom that characterizes this condition.

While everyone has an occasional bowel disturbance, those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome experience more severe symptoms on a regular basis. Symptoms can vary in intensity and location but include abdominal pain or discomfort, cramping, reoccurring or chronic diarrhea and changes in the frequency or consistency of bowel patterns.  Nausea, bloating, gas, and constipation alternating with diarrhea are also common symptoms.

It is estimated that between 25 and 50% of the people who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome also experience heartburn regularly, along with an uncomfortable feeling of ‘fullness’.  A lot of these people also report having numerous symptoms that are not gastrointestinal in nature.

These symptoms include muscle pain, sexual dysfunction and fatigue and sleep disturbances.  Other commonly reported symptoms that are present in severe cases of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include lower backaches and headaches.

As you can see, many of the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome mimic the symptoms of numerous other disorders.  This is why it is very important to get a proper diagnosis by a doctor. You will need to tell your doctor if you are experiencing such things as blood in your stool, weight loss, fever, and continual pain.  This is important because these are not signs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome but of more serious health problems. 

Unfortunately there is no known cure for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, however there are numerous effective ways in which to either control or eliminate Irritable Bowel symptoms.

This can be done through diet, stress management, herbal and organic supplements and hypnosis.  Of course, drug therapy is also used.

Laxatives, anti-diarrheas, anti-spasmodic drugs and anti-depressants are all used.  The good news is that whenever this disorder is properly diagnosed and treated, IBS symptoms can be successfully controlled allowing you to lead a normal, uninterrupted life.

Sign up for the free Irritable Bowel Syndrome Newsletter and discover new and natural methods to manage your Irritable Bowel Symptom problems. You can also find more irritable bowel syndrome resources here.