Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome commonly called IBS is a painful health problem Little is known about the exact causes. It often is painful, inconvenient and embarrsing. It can also mimic something more serious.
I hope this lense will help provide some facts and management tips to help if you suffer from IBS.
What is IBS
IBS or irritable bowel syndrome affects 15 to 20 percent of American adults.It is a disturbance in the bowel function or gastrointestinal tract (GI). It causes lower abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel habits. You can have diarrhea and/or constipation at any given time. Bouncing back and forth from one to another.
Muscle contractions move waste and water through your colon. When you have IBS the colon muscles and nerves may be more sensitive than normal which might cause them to react more stongly on occasion to common events such as stress and eating. What happens is a disruption in normal activity in the colon muscles. When the muscles speed up in processing it causes diarrhea. When it slows down the result is costipation. Other GI tract areas may also be affected.
Symptoms
Symptoms that you may experience if you have IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Everyone may experience some to the symptoms on this list. However, if you constantly experience these symptoms you may have IBS or irritable bowel syndrome.
- Pain in your lower abdomin often relieved by a bowel movement.
- Gas and bloating after eating.
- The sensation of not being able to empty your bowel after you move your bowel.
- Constipation to diarrhea. Diarrhea to constipation constantly. Abnormal bowel movements.
- Often a sudden need to move your bowel after a meal and having to quickly get to the bathroom without any real warning.
- Your stool has mucus in it.
Triggers
Some things that may trigger an IBS episode
Here are some things that can aggrivate IBS or irritable bowel syndrome.
- Food - Greasy and fatty foods. Cabbage, beans and other foods that cause gas. An increase in fiber may help. What I have found that helped me is to buy the little capsules of fiber. I could not drink the type that you mix in your beverage. I just could not get it down. But it has helped me.
I found that if I ate red meat, shrimp and crab to name a few that I would have a problem. And stay away from fast food. This will really help. Those greasy burgers do you no good when you have IBS. - Stress - This was a big factor in my IBS. I had a high pressure job. I had to deal with the public and I never had a happy customer because I had to deal with them and their taxes. So, I never had anyone happy during the day. I would be fine on Friday afternoon and on Sunday night when I knew I had to face another week I started to get sick again. Often vomiting. My bowels would start to get in an uproar and it would be Monday to Friday I would suffer.
The experts agree that one of the most common causes that triggers IBS is stress. When you are under stress your brain sends your colon messages through the nervous system that can affect the bowel and cause an IBS episode. - Beverages - Alcohol, caffenine, cola, tea and cocoa can stimulate colon muscles and upset their normal rhythm.
A good thing to do is keep a log of what you eat. If you get an attack (as I like to call it) you will start to realize what foods you can eat and what you should not eat. This worked well for me. Write down the time of day you eat, what you ate, and your stress levels.
Treatment
You can successfuly manage your symtoms
You can help manage your symptoms and have a better lifestyle. After years of refusing to change my diet and finally retiring from a career that caused me stress I am feeling much better and happier.
- Diet - Do your list and avoid the foods that create a problem for you. This is hard and I had a hard time giving up many of the foods I loved. I finally came to the realization that it just wasn't worth all the pain so I stopped eating them.
- Eat slowly.
- Eat less at each sitting. Eat smaller meals more often during the day.
- Eat foods high in fiber. I also take a fiber capsule. It may not help everyone but I swear by it. But add it gradually.
- Don't eat fatty and greasy foods.
- Drink lots of non-caffeinated fluids. Six to eight 8-ounce glasses a day.
- Try to relieve the sources of stress in your daily life. If it is a career that is upsetting you isn't it better to find another one if you can? I know we all can't do that but I can guarantee that I woud never go back to the official position I worked in. I would rather work at Wal-Mart! I know this is not feasible for everyone but I just couldn't take the "person in charge" any more. And I am much better off. My health has improved dramatically.
- Exercise
- When under stress learn to share your feelings with others. Professional or friends. It is a great stress reliever.
- Take time to relax. Yes, there is time to relax. You just set up a plan (Day-Timer) to schedule fun and relaxation into your daily routine. FORCE yourself to do it. Sit down and write a lens or two.
- Keep laxatives and stool softeners handy but ONLY use them when absolutely necessary. You do not want to depend on them.
- Your doctor can prescribe an anti-spasmodic or other medication if necessary. But by making dietary changes and using the fiber I was able to really help myself. I found that the fiber helped me to enjoy some of the foods I was unable to enjoy before.
- Seek the help of a doctor.
Foods Rich In Fiber
Here is list of some foods rich in fiber. I like to snack on plums in a bag and dried fruits. Some have sugar but they help. Plums are high in fiber and also iron. Nice and sweet too.
- Whole-grain cereal with banana slices
- Whole-wheat toast
- Orange juice
- Sandwiches with tomato slices and lettuce on whole-wheat bread.
- Carrot sticks
- Apples
- Raisins
- Roasted Peanuts
- Brown Rice
- Broccoli
- Salad
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Increase Your Fiber
Here are some things to get you started on a diet higher in fiber.Instead of reaching for low-fiber foods such as white bread, white rice, candy and chips use whole-grain bread, brown rice, fruits and vegetables.
Eat more raw vegetables. Skin is in. Make sure you eat the skins on any vegetables where it is possible.
Eat at least one high-fiber food at each meal. The more the merrier. Start slowly.
Drink lots of liquids. Non-caffeinated.
An apple or plum a day will help keep the doctor away!
Great Stuff on Amazon
Eating for IBS: 175 Delicious, Nutritious, Low-Fat, Low-Residue Recipes to Stabilize the Touchiest Tummy
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The First Year: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)--An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed
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Healing Foods: Cooking for Celiacs, Colitis, Crohn's and IBS
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