A Few Ways To Managing Your IBS
Intestinal Bacteria Sensitivity (IBS) is a disorder that causes gas, bloating, abdominal pain and discomfort. It affects around one in five people at some point in their life. To find out more about the symptoms and the treatment of IBS we also references Dr. Jane Scott-Findlay, Head of Gastroenterology at Hull Royal Infirmary.
WHAT IS IBS?
The symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, bloating, or discomfort, it may also cause constipation or diarrhea and is often cyclical.
WHAT CAUSES IBS?
A full answer would take a lengthy medical textbook! But put into simple terms, experts have been exploring the possibility that there is more than one factor involved in causing it.
FOODS THAT HELP WHEN YOU HAVE IBS:
1. Salmon. This oily fish can help heal an irritated large intestine.
2. Dark chocolate, walnuts and almonds help ease IBS symptoms especially if they’re eaten together.
3. Endive, radish and chicory- a chicory root ‘cousin’ can also help.
HOW IS IBS DIAGNOSED?
In general, the diagnosis of IBS is made after ruling out other causes of abdominal pain, bloating or discomfort (further investigation may be required).
IBS – IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME:
1. Try eating 7 or 8 small meals a day. This can really help with the bloating.
2. If you’re constipated, try to eat high-fiber foods, such as beans and whole grains, and drink plenty of water.
3. Stay away from dairy food products and spicy foods – they may irritate your bowel.
4. Avoid carbonated drinks – they may increase gas in the stomach and intestines, causing bloating and discomfort.
5. Exercise every day to help you cope better with the symptoms of IBS. It is also recommended to do abdominal exercises in order to tone the muscles in this area.
6. Chewing gum can help reduce gas and cramps associated with IBS.
7. Learn to relax: do relaxation exercises regularly and try deep breathing, yoga, and other forms of non-aerobic activity to keep your body flexible and stress-free. 8. Take a walk outside whenever possible to help clear your head and get more oxygen into your body.
9. Eat a high-fiber diet which will increase the amount of gas you produce and relieve symptoms by causing discomfort when your system becomes irritated.
10. As IBS can cause severe abdominal pain at the time of bowel movement, try to eat fiber-rich foods right after taking an antispasmodic medication such as Pepto-Bismol.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR IBS?
1. STRESS MANAGEMENT
Not only is it important to manage stress but it is also crucial to avoid foods that can cause symptoms of IBS.
2. ANTI-SPASMODIC DRUGS
These work by decreasing the activity of the nervous system and therefore help with pain and spasms.
3. ANTIDEPRESSANTS
The antidepressants that are used for IBS are thought to alter the sensitivity of colonic muscles, leading to an improvement in pain and constipation.
4. ANTISPASMODICS – ANTICHOLINERGICS
These drugs act to reduce the muscle spasms of the intestines. They should be taken prior to symptoms starting as they have little effect once the spasms have started.
5. ANTI-DIARRHOEA MEDICATIONS
These include loperamide or Amitryptiline which work to slow down intestinal activity and reduce diarrhea symptoms.
6. ANTIDIARRHOEALS
These drugs act to reduce the transit time of food passing through the tract. They should be taken within one hour of eating to maximize the effect.
7. ANTIBIOTICS – ANTI-PROTOZOAL AGENTS
The two most common are Metronidazole and Clotrimazole (Cotrimoxazole), both of which are used to treat parasitic infections in the digestive tract such as Giardia.
8. ANTISPASMOTICS
These drugs are used to treat symptoms of IBS with spasmodic symptoms.
9. METOCLOPRAMIDE OR DOMPERIDONE
These are considered to be the safest treatment for IBS and help by reducing intestinal spasms and pain in the gut.
10. SOCIAL SUPPORT
There’s no doubt that social support is important. But to what extent?
11. EXERCISE
Exercise can help by increasing stool bulk and frequency, allowing for more rapid passage through the gut thus reducing symptoms of constipation.
HOW DO YOU GET ON WITH YOUR IBS?
Finding the ‘right’ balance of food, exercise, and sleep and that’s very important. Most days are good days, but some days are really bad. That’s life – this is just one part of it.
Perspective
IBS can be a debilitating condition and it is important that people who have IBS make an effort to look after their gut. The ‘right’ balance seems to be establishing your own individual regime for IBS and it’s important that people don’t get too focused on a one-size-fits-all approach.
People with IBS will find that symptoms vary from day to day depending on what else they have been doing, so finding out what works best for you is very much trial and error.
