Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Suffer No More!

Are you forever plagued by tummy troubles? I suffered with an angry tum for years, and finally after a decade of discomfort and pain I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).  Here’s the good news - you don’t have to suffer any longer! April is IBS Awareness Month so let's take a close look at how to relieve your symptoms and pain. Let’s take a look . . .

Do you often suffer with pain after eating a meal? Does it seem like you’re always performing a balancing act of either trying to go or trying not to go? You may have experienced one or more of the above symptoms, but how do you know if your upset stomach is simply the result of too much greasy food (or too much of any food for that matter), or a much larger problem?

If you’re like me – and you’re certainly not alone if you are, with 20 percent of Americans also in abdominal agony - you don’t have to suffer any longer! There are options to relieve your symptoms and pain. Take a look . . .

First of all – what is IBS?

IBS is an uncomfortable and often embarrassing condition that is rarely discussed, leaving the one in five Americans who have it to suffer in silence. But the good news about IBS is that it doesn’t cause permanent damage and can be controlled if treated properly. The causes of IBS are unknown, but it has been attributed to having a large, sensitive colon, bacterial infections, or a compromised immune system, and is more common among women than men.

In IBS sufferers, the colon spasms irregularly and can even stop moving completely for long periods of time, resulting in painful bowel movements that are difficult to pass. Once a bowel movement occurs, the pain subsides. Other symptoms include cramping, bloating, constipation, diarrhea and mucus in the stool.

IBS can be exacerbated by overeating, eating wheat, rye and dairy, drinking alcohol or anything containing caffeine, and emotional distress. Because IBS can be so disruptive and humiliating, sufferers are also prone to feel depressed and suffer from anxiety.

Treatment Options

There is no cure for IBS, but it can be treated through the use of drugs and supplements.

Laxatives, antispasmodic and diarrhea medications have been proven effective. Research indicates that peppermint oil and glutamine (an amino acid) can prevent spasms in the digestive tract, and that probiotics (beneficial bacteria) help alleviate IBS-related constipation and diarrhea. Also showing promise is triphala, an internal cleanser made from the Indian fruits amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki that is sold in tablet or caplet form.

Dietary changes can also help. Sufferers should try to drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day, and try either eating smaller, more frequent meals or smaller portions. Low-fat, high carbohydrate meals are also suggested by experts, as is snacking on plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and avoiding sugar and caffeine.

To tame stress, which can trigger IBS flare-ups, consider the centuries-old practices of yoga and meditation, long revered for their relaxing benefits.

Also, chiropractic treatments have been shown to work wonders. My friend had suffered from IBS since she was a kid. At the age of 20, she went to a chiropractor for a completely different reason. After he took an X-ray, he noticed one of her vertebrae was pinching the nerve that led to her lower intestine. He began adjusting her specifically for that and within a month, she said she was cured! By the way, she also said orange juice and spicy foods never tasted so good.

I’m here to tell you – you don’t have to suffer in silence any longer! You can take control your condition and regain your freedom today.  I did, and I’ve never looked back!