irritable bowel syndrome – Top Health Today

Foods to aid IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a complicated problem for many people. Some patients experience diarrhea, while some deal with constipation, and others experience a mix of both. While for many IBS sufferers’ diet plays no role in their symptoms, for many there are foods that send their symptoms into overdrive.

The safest way to manage IBS is by eating a well-balanced diet that provides nutrients. While everyone responds to foods differently, there are common culprits according to WebMD.

Fiber

Fiber is great, it adds a healthy bulk to your diet and it’s available in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. For those IBS sufferers who deal with diarrhea, though, fiber will aggravate it. Avoid insoluble fiber, which are grain based, and instead focus on soluble fibers found in fruit and vegetables.

Insoluble fiber will help relieve constipation, but may leave you feeling bloated.

Grain

The fiber in whole grains is guilty of making IBS symptoms worse, but there are other problems that grains can cause. Particularly grain products containing gluten, like wheat, barley, and rye. These proteins can worsen IBS symptoms and damage intestines. While a gluten allergy is known as celiac disease, a large portion of IBS patients are intolerant to gluten.

If you can’t live without these products, tur to gluten-free options. You can get your pizza and pasta; cake and cookie fix without the gluten.

Milk

This problematic product is twofold. The first being that many IBS sufferers are lactose intolerant. The second is that milk contains fat, which can lead to diarrhea.

If you have to avoid dairy entirely, talk to your doctor about calcium supplements.

Fried Food

It’s delicious, but it’s bad for IBS sufferers. The key is moderation, as the high fat content will run riot. Ideally, you’ll drop fried foods and instead bake or grill them.

Beans

While beans are great for protein and fiber, they are the stuff of nightmares for IBS patients. While it can relieve constipation problems, it increases bloating, cramps, and gas.

Coffee

For some, that first cup of coffee in the morning is the perfect option to keep their bowels regular. For IBS sufferers, it can trigger diarrhea. Many IBS sufferers have to avoid caffeine beverages entirely.

If you need a morning pick-me-up, consider a brisk walk or an apple instead.

Better Living

Not every IBS patient will experience the same symptoms. What cheese does to one person may not be a problem for someone else, while for others peanuts are the devil. The best approach for IBS patients is to keep a food diary that will help determine what foods affect them the most. Make a note of the foods that send you running, and of the foods that result in constipation. Try avoiding these foods one at a time to find out if they are indeed the issue, make sure you take notes so that you can assess whether eliminating the food made a difference.

Additionally, you can relieve the symptoms of IBS by eating smaller meals throughout the day instead of eating three square meals.

Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatable?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, also known as IBS, is a disease that is characterized by symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation. There is no known cause of it (like many ailments today), but it seems to have many theories behind what causes the symptoms or aggravates it.

Some Theories as to What Causes IBS.

IBS is not something that they have a clear picture as to where it comes from. There are some ideas out there as to how flare ups are triggered. Many of the people, nearly 70 percent, are women and it’s theorized that hormonal changes could be one of the triggers. Also when it comes to stress, those that suffer from IBS are thought that their immune system reacts differently than ‘normal’ immune systems. Another is the effect of serotonin, too little in the gut causes IBS with constipation, and too much causes IBS with diarrhea.

They are however very certain as to certain things that are certain to not be the cause of IBS. It is not something that has to do with a structural problem, it’s not technically considered a physical disorder, itdoes not cause other issues within the digestive system, and it is not cancer.

In order for them to determine if you are suffering from IBS you must meet certain criteria, If you have symptoms (changes in bowel movements, excess gas and/or bloating, abdominal pain, and/or mucus in the stool) and these symptoms have been consistent for the last 6 months minimum, had abdominal pain at least 3 days per month for the last three months, and you meet two of the following: pain is relieved by having a bowel movement; pain is consistent with changes in frequency of bowel movements; and/or pain is connected to a change in appearance or consistency of stool.

Is IBS Treatable?

IBS is not curable, but treatments are something that will vary from person to person, on a case by case basis. In order to treat them, first the doctor will need to know what causes them. So keeping a journal is usually the first step. Noting everything you are eating and any stressors through the day will help them to determine the root cause for you. Once you figure out the cause, you can work on a treatment plan.

Some of the ideas are that you should limit the foods that cause the symptoms. Generally, if you have kept a diary you will be able to clearly see it in black and white. Also some of the other treatments are to limit caffeine and alcohol, limit fatty foods, and avoid foods that cause excess gas such as beans, cabbage, raw cauliflower and broccoli.

If you have IBS-D (diarrhea) then limiting dairy, fruit, and artificial sweeteners has been known to help and also take medications that can help prevent it or reduce the symptoms. If you have IBS-C (constipation) increasing fiber intake and potentially taking a fiber supplement may also help.

Some of the other treatment plans include increased exercise, quitting smoking (if you smoke) and reducing stress. If it is stress related or something that happens when your emotions change if you are dealing with depression or anxiety, seeing a doctor and getting medications to moderate that could also help.

As stated, IBS is not curable, because really they have no idea what the initial cause of someone getting this is, so managing the symptoms is key. Being truly in tune with ones body is important to creating a treatment plan that will be beneficial, and being honest about what you are eating and doing and feeling is going to be the basis for a well thought out treatment plan.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the large intestine that always comes with recurrent abdominal pain, cramping bloating and diarrhea or constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome is often associated with stress, anxiety, depression, or in some cases previous intestinal infection.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not cause any damage or abnormality in the intestinal structure; it is just the function of the intestine that is upset. IBS is a very common disorder and not life-threatening. It can affect anyone at any age, but irritable bowel syndrome can be a chronic condition that you will need to manage for a long time, often years and may also affect your lifestyles like making you miss school or work. The condition is slightly more common in women than it is in men.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

For every person that has Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the symptoms pattern is can vary. They common symptoms people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome may experience include:

Pain and discomfort in different parts of the abdomen, usually in the lower half of the tummy. The pain is usually recurrent, the severity and the length of each bout of pain may also very. Pain may get worse after meals and often eases when you pass stools or wind.

Bloating and may come with tummy swelling from time to time. You may also pass wind more than usual.

Changes in the stool, but this can vary from time to time and from person to person. Some of the changes in stool caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome include:

Diarrhea, which can be serious in most cases
Constipation
Diarrhea alternating with constipation
Sometimes, stool may flat, small or pellets, stool may also become loose than normal and watery, stools may also come out as or with mucus.
You may also feel a need to stay longer in the toilet, feeling of not emptying the rectum

Stress or anxiety can make the symptoms worse.

Sometimes, you may experience other symptoms, such as Poor appetite, Feeling nausea, Headache, Muscle pains, Tiredness, Feeling quickly full after eating, Backache, Heartburn and urinary symptoms or sexual problems.

Causes or Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Although, the cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is unclear but there are several things that are known to trigger IBS symptoms such as certain kind of food, or drink, but that is in rear cases. The symptom that comes with Irritable Bowel Syndrome is like to Over-activity of the muscles or nerves in the gut. Studies suggest that the gut gets hypersensitive and start overreacting to mild stimulation when having Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Treatments

The treatments might depend on the symptoms the person is experiencing. You need to work with your doctor to find the right treatment plan that will best manage your symptoms.

Treatment may involve changing of diet and lifestyle, as some of the IBS symptoms are triggered by eating a certain food, medicines, and emotional stress. You need to observe and learn what learn what your triggers are. Usually, IBS will improve over time with few basic changes and adjustment of the trigger.

Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is at the same time one of the more common digestive disorders and one of the least talked about. After all, discussing gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea are not exactly at the top of people’s conversation list. However, if you experience symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, a talk with your doctor is necessary. There are lifestyle changes, medications, and other help that can alleviate some or all of the discomfort.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Explained

Everyone experiences stomach and bowel discomfort at one time or another. This can because of an illness like the flu or from eating something that does not agree with you, such as something not cooked properly or super spicy food. However, people with irritable bowel syndrome have discomfort and pain in their abdomen most of the time. It is frequently associated with digestive issues like constipation or diarrhea with no direct causation necessary.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A list of recognized symptoms for the diagnosis of IBS was developed in 1990 by a group of doctors. Their basic checklist includes pain related to elimination and joined by a change in frequency or consistency of stool. As a diagnostic tool, this is relatively general. The list of symptoms that people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome can be quite longer and more extensive.

Symptoms include:

Abdominal or stomach pain
Gas, flatulence, and/or a feeling of bloating
Changes in stool such as constipation or diarrhea
Possible nausea, heartburn, and indigestion

Irritable bowel syndrome can also be accompanied by pain in your lower back, headaches, difficulty sleeping, and excessive fatigue. It is sometimes triggered by stress and hormonal changes.

In order for these symptoms to be used as a diagnosis for IBS, they need to be frequent and recurrent. This does not apply if you eat spicy tacos every Thursday and end up with gas and stomach pain. If there is no external reason for the dyspepsia, a trip to the doctor just might be a great idea. Your doctor will be able to rule out other potential digestive problems and give you a diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Once you have a diagnosis of IBS, you will be happy to know that there are treatments available that can help alleviate many of the symptoms.

There are prescription medications specifically designed to treat irritable bowel syndrome. They come in two main types. Some are antidiarrheals that either increase fluid absorption in the colon or slow down the peristalsis of the colon so stool moves more slowly through it. Others focus on alleviating constipation rather than diarrhea. Other drugs may be prescribed, such as fiber supplements, antispasmodics, and even antidepressants.

Before reaching for the prescription pad, however, doctors may instruct the patient suffering from Europe and bowel syndrome to make some changes in their lifestyle. A healthier body overall is better equipped to handle any disorder, and the food you eat and the beverages you drink can definitely have an effect on an ongoing digestive issue. Besides the occasional use of over-the-counter symptom-treating medicines, avoiding trigger foods, getting plenty of fiber, and always staying completely hydrated with pure water can help.

Does IBS Cause Abdominal Pain?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that is said to be affecting around 45 million Americans. This is not a serious disorder but can affect one’s lifestyle and working in the long run. Mostly abdominal pain is felt along with a range of other symptoms. Typically it could be diarrhea or constipation or it could be that you have alternating episodes of both. These symptoms may or may not be long lasting and can recur periodically. Simply put, it is nothing belly discomfort associated with troubling bowel habits that may necessitate changes in your living style. It can affect people of all ages including kids. It is estimated that worldwide around 15% of the population suffers from IBS.

Symptoms

Alternating abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms of IBS. This pain often eases when the person passes stools.
Diarrhea– the feeling of needing to go more.
Constipation– The hardening of stools resulting in painful passing of stools.
Bloating or swelling of the tummy and the possibility of passing wind.
Changes in stool and bowel habits.

There could also be times when few people also experience some other minor symptoms like headache, heartburn or nausea etc. The most noticeable among all would be the abdominal pain that is most often present in such cases.

Causes

The exact causes of the IBS are not known yet. It could be an intolerance to certain foods, some infection in the gut region or even a hypersensitive colon as per studies conducted. It has also been noted that IBS occurs more in women than in men. So, there are studies still going on to understand whether hormones have any role to play in this.

Diagnosis

The best way to diagnose IBS would be to visit a physician and explain your symptoms. Depending on your symptoms, there are multiple test conducted like endoscopy, colonoscopy, x-ray, blood tests or stool tests. You may not have to undergo all the tests and it is best left to your doctor to decide what all tests you should undergo and then come out with your diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

Treatment

IBS treatment is again, individualized treatment depending on your test results and the same treatment may not work for all. Most of the treatment options, however include lifestyle and dietary changes along with some form of prescribed medication. Here are a few tips:

Regular exercise.
Avoid stress.
Drink at least four to five glasses of water a day.
Avoid caffeine in any form.
Include fibers in your diet like fruits, nuts and vegetables.
Limit intake of dairy products.
Avoid long gaps in between meals and make sure to have your meals regularly.
Avoid fizzy drinks.
Maintain a personal diary of the foods that trigger the symptoms and the periodicity therein.

Apart from the above, there are some studies that suggest that the intake of probiotics actually help reduce IBS and its related symptoms. Along with the above, your doctor may prescribe you medicines for the abdominal pains or the other prominent symptoms like the diarrhea and constipation.

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