Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common disorders of the intestines and it affects about 20% of people in the United States. IBS is also called spastic colon or spastic colitis and is considered a functional disease caused by the impaired functioning of the muscles of the organs or the nerves of the gastrointestinal system. The syndrome usually occurs between the ages of 25 and 45 and women are more often affected compared to men. The cause of the disease is not always clear, but the overactivity of the nerves or muscles of the gut is usually to blame. This overactivity may the result of the messages sent from the brain to the gut.
The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome:
- Pain and discomfort in the abdomen. The pain usually subsides after emptying the bowel.
- Bloating and swelling of the abdomen and excessive gas in the intestines, especially after eating.
- Constipation or diarrhoea or an alternation between the two. Some people experience bouts of diarrhoea, and some others bouts of constipation. Sometimes the stools become watery and loose and there is an urgent need to have a bowel movement. Often you may be passing mucus ever time you open your bowels.
- Nausea and vomiting.
How to treat it:
- Avoid stress: the feeling of stress is directly linked to the IBS as it causes spasms in the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract has a lot of nerves associated with the brain and it reacts to stress conditions through the autonomous nervous system. Also, in situations of stress the gastrointestinal system is more sensitive to pain. Good mood has shown to improve or even completely eliminate the symptoms of IBS. Stress management, the use of relaxation techniques and the improvement of sleep habits are therefore highly recommended.
- Change your diet: this syndrome is an individualized disease. You need to identify the foods that aggravate your symptoms and avoid them. But it is important to stop the foods with lots of spices and artificial sweeteners. Most sufferers have an intolerance to milk, which they must eliminate from their diet and make use of other dairy products like yogurt. It is important to stop the bad habit of eating right before going to sleep because this impedes the normal process of digestion. It is also preferable that the patients eat small frequent meals instead of three big meals a day. Additionally, it would be a good idea to drink chamomile, which may ease bowel spasms and relieve diarrhea, consume probiotic supplements and drink a lot of water, especially if you suffer with intense constipation.
Here is a small list of foods and drinks that make IBS worse:
- Fatty foods and fried foods
- Milk products
- Carbonated drinks
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Caffeinated drinks
Next find out the #1 method to Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Naturally! Just Click Here to find out how!
