Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief Treatments

Irritable bowel syndrome is not a condition that can easily be diagnosed with a simple test. It has symptoms similar to that of other intestinal disorders, and so there needs to be careful diagnosis to ensure that another, more severe condition or infection is not causing the symptoms. A symptom will only be considered a irritable bowel syndrome symptom once other conditions have been eliminated from the diagnosis.

The cause of IBS is not known.  However, there are a number of factors that seem to impact IBS these are:

- That there is an increased reaction to toxic substances in the gut, this is referred to as visceral hyperalgesia.

- That there is a bacterial infection or overgrowth that is causing the IBS symptoms.  In some studies carried out on people IBS showed that around 80% of them had a bacterial overgrowth

- That IBS could be due to a previous infection or occur after a course of antibiotics.

- That food allergies, intolerance or sensitivity to certain foods may play a part in triggering IBS

- That stress may cause IBS.   There are a number of ways that stress or anxiety may effect IBS.  The intestines house the enteric nervous system that connect to the brain, and it is these nerves that control the motor functions of the colon and can cause discomfort at stressful times.  Many people have experienced this if they get butterflies or cramps when hit by certain emotions, usually nervousness or feeling upset.

- Hormones seem to have an effect on the symptoms of IBS, with more women reporting worsening symptoms when hormone levels change during menstruation.

According to the Rome process (This was devised by the Rome Working Team to help better define and diagnose IBS), abdominal pain must be present for a true IBS diagnosis to be considered.

Diet can greatly help reduce the symptoms of IBS, by both regulating the trigger foods, and helping alleviate symptoms by increasing the intake of complementary foods.  For example increasing the intake of fiber can ease the passage of digested matter and help bulk out and soften stools.

A person will generally have more control and go through less pain during toilet trips by consuming twenty five to thirty grams of soluble fiber everyday. Soluble fiber can be found in foods like bread, cereal, wheat, oats, bran, fruits and vegetables.

The way a person eats should also be considered to further assist in the digestive process. Instead of eating large meals three times a day, smaller more frequent meals four to six times a day can help alleviate irritable bowel syndrome symptoms of abdominal cramping and distension, as well as improve the frequent episodes of alternating diarrhea and constipation.

Water is indispensable in keeping the digestive tract cleansed and flushed, which will reduce stimulation and irritation in the area as well as soothe contractions. Eight to ten full glasses of water everyday is usually adequate to promote blood circulation and muscular control in contraction and digestion.

Abdominal gassiness and distention are basically caused by air accumulation and as the air increases, the pressure can lead to pain sensations. Air can accumulate from swallowing during meals, so chewing food thoroughly is vital to reduce symptoms and try not to gulp air when drinking.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to overcome every irritable bowel syndrome symptom but by taking preventive measures people can effectively start to combat them and improve the quality of their lives.

Don’t forget to sign up for the free IBS newsletter that has proven methods for managing IBS naturally. In the newsletter you’ll also find more information on how to overcome Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms.
 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an intestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and discomfort caused by the disruption of the intestine’s normal function.  One of the contributory factors or triggers is certain food, and this is why a diet for IBS is so critical to achieve IBS symptom relief.

As well as the stomach pains and bloating which most people with IBS suffer, generally, as person will either be diarrhea or constipation predominant.

When the movement of waste material is too fast, it causes diarrhea, while slow movement of waste material causes constipation.  This usually occurs when the waste matter is either pushed too hard or not hard enough through the intestines, or the content of the food and drink that has been consumed promotes either of the conditions.  If the partially digested food’s movement through the intestine’s normal, then it should produce a stool that is solid but is soft enough to be easily excreted.

One way of improving the digestion process in order to ease IBS symptoms is by incorporating fiber to the diet.  Soluble fiber particularly helps relax the gastrointestinal tract, as well as improve the way the intestine’s function.

Adding fiber to a diet helps regulate bowel movements, especially since soluble fiber helps soften the texture of your stool, making it easier for the undigested food in your stomach to pass through.  However, introducing fiber into your diet should be done gradually in order to help your body adjust to the change. 

Fiber-rich foods, such as cereals, vegetables and fruits basically help loosen bowels.  This is why stool passage through the intestine is made easy.  Although dietary fiber may help increase bowel movement, it may not necessarily help with the other IBS symptoms. 

Other symptoms such as discomfort, swelling and stomach-ache may actually get worse from increased fiber intake, especially with an increase of insoluble fiber.   This is why insoluble fiber needs to be increased in the diet gradually, and should not be eaten without being accompanied by foods with soluble fiber.

What soluble fiber basically does is it absorbs fluids and gels that the colon produces which aid the movement of fecal matter through the intestine.  The gel that the fiber absorbs helps smooth the passage of the stool effectively helping prevent and relieve constipation. 

The gel also helps ease the hold of the intestinal tract on the stool, especially during normal bowel contractions, which helps relieve constipation.  These same gel fluids on the other hand help make the fecal matter of diarrhea patient’s gain more bulk and become more solid.  It also adds more body and constitution to the stool help prevent diarrhea and improve your bowel movements. 

Soluble fiber particularly is also helpful in regulating muscular spasms and contractions to aid gastrocolic reflex.  If used properly, it allows you to add bulk to your stool and help it move through the intestines more quickly.

Adding fiber into your diet helps improve your bowel movement.  It normalizes intestinal contractions and improves your digestive tract’s condition.  A fiber-rich diet for IBS will greatly increase your chance of relieving diarrhea and constipation.  Just make sure that you use fiber with care in order to make your diet work for you.

Don’t forget to sign up for the free IBS newsletter that has proven methods for managing IBS naturally. In the newsletter you’ll also find more information on other ways a  special diet for IBS can be effective in relieving symptoms.
 

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by alternating episodes of diarrhea and constipation, abdominal pain and discomfort. Although the true cause of the disorder is unknown, health care professionals and natural healers have worked together throughout the years to offer effective and efficient types of irritable bowel treatment.

The goal of treatment is to alleviate the symptoms present in the condition and to promote optimum health for the individual.  Although, what is sometimes missed from a treatment plan are steps to identify the root causes and triggers for the condition in the individual.

Although there seems to be no specific cure for the disorder, there are ways to alleviate the symptoms and manage them so there is minimal impact on a person’s lifestyle. The good news, although it may not feel like it, is that irritable bowel syndrome despite being long-term in nature, does not progress or lead on to other diseases or trigger other conditions.

Several techniques and approaches have proven to be useful for sufferers to allow them to live a normal productive life. There are five categories that have been established for IBS identification and treatment.

Since irritable bowel syndrome is an enteric condition, diet plays a very important role in the cause, effect and treatment. Those with IBS symptoms might already be aware that several foods may either be helpful or detrimental to their condition and either irritate or soothe the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

In general there are certain foods that trigger IBS symptoms more than others, although everyone’s reaction will differ. It is advisable for IBS suffers to avoid irritating foods that are high in fat and insoluble fiber as these may worsen the altered bowel pattern. Caffeine and carbonated beverages also aggravate the symptom of abdominal distension and gassiness, potentially leading to diarrhea.

Once diagnosed your doctor may prescribe medication to treat the symptoms of IBS like laxatives, Anti-spasmodics or Anti-Depressants. The right medication regimen should be carefully considered to provide maximum benefits to lessen side effects and reduce adverse drug-to-drug interaction.  Although medication can help soothe the symptoms of IBS, they will not help resolve the root cause or triggers of the condition.

Unfortunately, some anti-spasmodic and anti-depressant agents may only intensify the symptoms associated with the condition so proper medical advice on the brain-gut physiology and action are essential.

Aside from food and drugs, adding supplements to the diet may be of great help in managing the symptoms of abdominal pain and inconsistent bowel movement. There are several supplements available that aid in the digestive and absorption process thus improving bowel action as well as stool formation and passage.

Probiotics, lactate enzyme and soluble fiber are some of the beneficial agents for proper gastrointestinal function that can improve and reduce the hypersensitivity within the bowels and reduce the frequency of muscle contractions in the intestines. They may also serve as neutralizing agents for possible trigger foods.

Since psychological factors have also been linked to the development of irritable bowel syndrome it’s interesting to note that there have been promising results from the use of hypnosis and hypnotherapy.

The use of mental relaxation, biofeedback and anxiety relief techniques have also shown to be helpful in cases that are linked to these symptoms.

The irritable bowel treatment options mentioned in this article are not exhaustive, but whichever one chosen there must be a double approach to combating the condition.  On one hand there is the need to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms, and on the other is to remove or reduce the conditions or situation, which triggers the IBS attacks in the first instance.

Don’t forget, if you haven’t already done so, to sign up for the free IBS newsletter that has proven methods for managing IBS naturally. In the newsletter you’ll also find more information on other Irritable Bowel Treatment options.
 

Many people worry that their IBS may be the start of something potentially worse, or that they will not regain their quality of life after it has been torn apart by IBS.  In this article we lay out an irritable bowel syndrome description that helps clarify the condition, and also gives some information on how to manage the symptoms.

IBS is a functional disorder, which means that the condition is related to how the bowel works/ functions.  It is not a life threatening condition, although at some points it can feel that way. 

It is not a disease, it cannot spread to other parts of the body, nor is it damaging the intestines in any way. 

In fact, children with IBS will generally grow up with no developmental issues, in terms of physical growth or mental capability.

The symptoms of IBS include abdominal discomfort (pain, and distension), either constipation or diarrhea – or alternating between the two.  Generally a person will be more predisposed to either constipation or diarrhea, but they can just as easily switch back and forth.

It is a common disorder, and becoming more common every year.  Physicians will diagnose it after tests have taken place to rule out other conditions that could be causing the symptoms, as there are no physical signs of IBS.

The symptoms of IBS are similar to those that can be shown by other conditions, and so these have to be eliminated from the diagnosis first.

Irritable bowel syndrome will generally not worsen over time and is not life-threatening. It will not progress or lead to other diseases although there is some evidence that it may in some people stem from an underlying disease or parasite infestation.

Generally, although IBS can effect the quality of someone’s life, it is not a condition that will lead on to more severe problems.

The exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is unknown. Some theories point to trigger foods or conditions being the main reasons for a flare up.

Other theories suggest hormonal imbalances or miscommunication between the brain and the gut affecting the contractions in the gastrointestinal area.

Another theory identifies the relationship between the disorder and psychological and emotional stresses which may worsen a patient’s current state.

One in five people are believed to have IBS, and women are three times more at risk for developing the disorder compared to men and certain drugs have been tested and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which may help alleviate some of the symptoms.

Aside from being female, individuals can be placed at more risk if they are younger than thirty-five years old, have African ancestry, experience psychological or emotional trauma or abuse and a family history of irritable bowel syndrome.

Several links have been identified associating the disorder with stress and genetic predisposition that can aggravate an existing condition or put a person more at risk for developing it.

An irritable bowel syndrome description would not be complete without some information on where to go for further information on treatment.  For this you can sign up to our newsletter below if you haven’t already done so.

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