Card Credit Ibs Article
What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Many people are taken aback when they visit their physician for help with their stomach troubles, when they walk out with a diagnosis of IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome. They may never even have heard of it until now, so you can bet they are pretty confused as to what it actually is, and how is likely to affect their lives. If they are lucky, it will be a disease that only causes them occasional symptoms, maybe when they eat the wrong food, or when they are under undue stress. But for many, that is often not the case. Their condition is a continuous battle, often resulting in disability and depression. If you have recently been diagnosed with IBS, or think you may have it, then you should take the time to read this article for more useful information.
Women are much more likely to be diagnosed with IBS than men, and it can strike both young and old the same way. People who suffer from IBS will often have constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhea, and some are unable to control their own bowel function, which greatly impacts their quality of life and the things that they are able to do outside the home. Basically if you have IBS, the muscles and nerves in your stomach are hypersensitive, making your intestines and digestive system either work overtime, or become sluggish, which can lead to constipation, bloating, and pain.
You may have heard that stress can cause IBS, but while there is no proof of that, it is known that the symptoms caused by IBS are worsened by stress. IBS symptoms can also be worsened by certain foods, and in women, hormonal changes due to menstruation or pregnancy. Learning what seems to trigger your symptoms is one way that you can better control your disease. Learn how to eliminate some of the stress in your life, so that it doesn’t cause you to suffer from more sever symptoms. Watch how your body reacts to certain foods, and cut back on, or eliminate those foods that worsen your symptoms from your diet. Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and ice cream, caffeine, and foods with a high fat content are all known to make IBS symptoms worse for some people. If you have the bad habit of overeating, this can also bring on a brutal attack of IBS symptoms as well.
If you suffer from any IBS symptoms frequently, such as constipation, diarrhea, or extreme abdominal pain, you should see your doctor. He will want to do some tests to be certain that your problem isn’t being caused by an underlying symptom, and then may end up diagnosing you with IBS if no other cause can be found. Your doctor will not be able to give you a prescription for a “magic” pill that will take all of your symptoms away, as no such thing exists, as of yet. You will likely be advised to modify your diet, based on your symptoms, exercise more frequently, eliminate and learn to manage stress, and your doctor will also probably give you a prescription for an anti-depressant, and advise you to take over the counter stomach medicines to lessen your symptoms.
There are some foods you can eat that can help ease the pain and severity of IBS symptoms, and it can’t hurt to try them to see if they will do the same for you. Peaches and apples are two fruits that are not only good for you, but also have been linked to possibly help improve the quality of life for those who suffer form IBS. You should also try eating raw carrots and broccoli, peas, cabbage, whole grain breads and cereals, which are high in fiber (great for constipation), and lima beans. It will take some time and experimenting to determine exactly what foods make your IBS symptoms better and what foods make them worse. It is really a trial and error process.
Take heart, there are some things you can do to make your IBS symptoms more bearable, work with your doctor and do your own experimenting to find out exactly what works best for you.
