Combat IBS With a Good Diet

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by unpleasant conditions such as stomach pain, cramping, gas, diarrhea and constipation. Some sufferers may feel that there is simply nothing they can do to alleviate these symptoms. However, a healthy combination of diet, medicine and relief from stress can help to control IBS symptoms and allow sufferers to enjoy life again.

Reducing stress in your life, eating smaller meals, regular exercise such as walking or yoga, and adequate sleep improve this disorder. Increasing fiber in the diet and drinking more water is another way to help the situation. For some patients a natural remedy may be the only medication needed to help. For centuries natural remedies from herbs and plants were used in Asia and Europe to treat nervous stomach and problems in the intestine.

The causes are believed to be nuerological in nature. The problem begins when your brain fires signals to your intestine which causes food to be moved too quickly or too slowly. This hurts the normal digestive process that
you have. IBS is often associated with stress, anxiety and sleep disorders. These attacks may be triggered by stress on the job when you cannot meet deadlines or your boss is always finding fault with your work. Stressful events like the death of someone close or losing a job suddenly will cause this illness.

Your Doctor may suspect that you have IBS due to your symtoms. There are specific symptoms that a doctor will look for which is called the “Rome Criteria”. Your doctor may order other medical tests to be sure that you don’t have another health problem that causes the same symptoms. To diagnose IBS you may be asked to take some blood tests and a physical exam. Some other tests that may be included are a Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Series, which x-rays your abdomen to see any problems in the Large Intestine. Another test is a Colonoscopy, which is when the doctor inserts a tiny camera into your colon to take pictures to see if there are any problems there.

Doctors really don’t know what causes IBS, but some suspect that IBS may be stress related. When you have IBS the nerves and muscles in the bowel seem to be extra sensitive. The muscles may contract to much when you eat causing pain. These contractions may cause diarrhea while eating or shortly after.

Although IBS is very painful it does not cause any long lasting damage to the colon.

Learn more about What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? What Are Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?. Stop by our site where you can find out all about Information About Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 at 10:52 am and is filed under Healthy Living. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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