Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is exactly what it sounds like. This syndrome is fairly common, and can be a real hindrance to an enjoyable daily life.
What Does IBS Look and Feel Like?
The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can include abdominal pain, cramping, and changes in normal bowel function, including bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation, per verywellhealth.com. Other terms for IBS include spastic colitis and nervous colon.
The three primary types of IBS, per mayoclinic.com, are constipation-dominant, diarrhea-predominant, and mixed. These classifications are helpful to doctors treating IBS.
However, before making a diagnosis of IBS, a doctor must be sure that the symptoms are not caused by another more serious condition, per mayoclinic.com. If irritable bowel symptoms are compounded by other conditions such as rectal bleeding, fever, or regular pain not associated with a bowel movement, then another condition might be responsible for all presenting symptoms.
Causes of IBS
There are various potential causes of IBS, but doctors are not exactly sure what causes IBS to occur, per niddk.nih.gov. One common belief is that stress might be responsible for IBS, including prolonged “normal” stress, stress due to trauma, and the mental distress occurring from anxiety, depression, or psychosomatic disorders.
Another common cause includes the presence of a foreign bacteria in the digestive tract, or the overgrowth of certain bacteria already present, per niddk.nih.gov. The consumption of foods that your digestive system is intolerant or sensitive to can also cause the symptoms of IBS.
Treatments for IBS
The focus on treating IBS usually falls on treating the presenting symptoms, per mayoclinic.com. Lifestyle changes are often recommended to patients struggling with IBS symptoms. These include diet recommendations such as avoiding triggering foods and hydrating regularly, as well as measures to reduce stress. Some doctors even recommend counseling, especially when a patient’s symptoms are moderate to severe, and they are also experiencing mental distress.
Sometimes medication plays a part in treatment, but medication is not the foremost method of treatment for IBS. Lifestyle changes and supplements usually come first. Following are some commonly touted alternative remedies that might help you or someone you know overcome their IBS symptoms.
IBS Remedies
Fiber is commonly known as an aid in digestion and in producing healthy bowel movements. Per health.com, it does tend to help foster relief in some patients with IBS, particularly those who experience frequent constipation. However, exercise caution when using fiber, as it might actually increase bloating and diarrhea that can occur during IBS. Foods high in fiber, such as oats, might be helpful. A fiber supplement made with oat-bran is available here at wonderlabs.com.
Relieving stress and mental distress in general is a great way to reduce the severity of IBS symptoms in many sufferers, per health.com. This is because of the effect stress has on both causing and worsening symptoms. Good methods to relieve stress include exercise (even just mild or moderate), getting enough sleep, yoga and/or meditation, or whatever other ways help you de-stress.
Slippery elm is a tree whose extract can be very useful in treating IBS, per livealittlelonger.com. It has a consistency that tends to have a soothing effect on the intestinal tract, and can be helpful in relieving both constipation and diarrhea. Slippery elm has a long history of usage among Native Americans as a folk remedy. Mixing half a teaspoon of slippery elm extract with warm water and then drinking it should be sufficient; Do this daily until it helps alleviate or eliminate your symptoms.
Probiotic supplements can be effective in helping relieve IBS symptoms, per health.com. Clinical trials have shown that consuming probiotics can be helpful in relieving abdominal pain and other symptoms of IBS. However, the effectiveness of probiotics on relieving IBS symptoms varies from patient to patient.
Ginger is a spice that can be helpful in reducing the bloating that occurs with IBS, as well as with gas removal, per authorityremedies.com. It is also helpful in reducing inflammation in the intestines, which helps the relevant muscles to relax. Ginger is a tasty spice that makes a good addition to cooked food, and it is also commonly available in supplement form.