Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Also known as “spastic colon” or IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common digestive problem that affects millions of people across the globe. Patients suffering from anxiety disorder are prone to developing this type of chronic discomfort.
Its common manifestations include bloating, gastrointestinal discomforts, erratic bowel movements and chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation – sometimes alternated, and all in the absence of a specific physical sickness. These symptoms will often persist for month on end, and they can make you feel like there’s something very wrong with your digestive system.
That is probably not the case, and IBS often feels more serious than it really is. Regardless, you should definitely check with your doctor – just to be safe and reassured.
Before getting started on fixing IBS
1 – Check if your spastic colon has medical causes: IBS is a functional bowel disorder that’s usually triggered by either infection or traumatic/stressful event. This is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning it can’t be confirmed directly by examinations and tests. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is therefore established as a diagnostic when no other ailment is detected; as such, one of the first things you have to do when dealing with this problem is checking with your doctor for a full check-up.
2 – Investigate possible food intolerances: when you speak with your doctor, you should ask if your symptoms may be caused by intolerance to specific foods, such as grains or dairy products. This is actually a common cause of IBS, and often it’s not evaluated deeply because the patients focus on describing their symptoms, rather than the possible causes of their discomfort.
When you’re ready to start dealing with your IBS…
3 – Avoid these foods: many people succeed in overcoming the discomforts of a spastic colon just by changing their eating habits. Foods that absolutely do not please your bowels include fried foods, fatty foods, dairy products, alcohol, carbonated or caffeinated drinks. Coincidentally, most of these foods are also known not to help with anxiety, so you will get added benefits by making sure such unhealthy foods are not a part of your diet.
4 – Favor these foods: conversely, there are also foods that will reduce the discomforts experienced from IBS. Generally speaking, you want to favor foods with fiber: fruits, vegetables, cereals and beans. Most notably, you should eat apples, peaches, cabbage, peas, broccoli, carrots, black beans and lima beans. When possible, these foods should be eaten raw or cooked in plain hot water for maximum nutritional benefits.
5 – Keep a food journal: you may want to try writing down what you eat every day, as well as the specific symptoms you experienced. After a couple weeks of keeping such a record, you may start realizing that some foods seem to disagree with your bowel (even some healthy foods), and that might help keep your diet in just the right balance.
6 – Eat smaller meals: you can get all kinds of health benefits if you get in the habit of eating smaller portions during meals. You will find it easier to lose weight, and your digestion process will improve along with many of the discomforts caused by irritable bowel syndrome. Do not eat unless you’re completely hungry. It will make you feel a little better about yourself, in body and mind, day by day.
7 – Do something about your stress: likewise with your anxiety, IBS also gets worse in response to stress. Look for ways to manage your inner pressure, and your body will run more smoothly. Try getting more exercise, doing meditation or getting a new hobby. Those are just some ideas. Anything that helps you relax will also contribute to calming down your bowels.
Natural treatments that will also help alleviate IBS
8 – Peppermint oil has been traditionally used as a natural treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. It helps reduce the sensations of bloating and abdominal discomforts by relaxing excessive muscle contraction in the intestines and dismissing excess gas. Be cautious though because this remedy should not be used internally by children or pregnant/lactating women. Everyone else can use it safely, provided it’s ingested in moderate amounts. You may want to look for peppermint oil in enteric-coated capsules to make sure it’s released only on the intestines, otherwise it may provoke heartburn.
9 – Ginger: not everyone appreciates the taste of ginger, but if you do then you might as well relish on its positive gastrointestinal effects. This root is known to help with indigestion, stomach cramps and nausea; whether in fresh form or dried it will help appease your irritable bowel. You don’t have to settle for drinking ginger tea only, since it can be used in a number of culinary applications.
10 – Chamomile: this is probably the most widespread and versatile of all medicinal plants, and it can also be used to manage IBS related symptoms. Chamomile tea will help dismiss indigestion and gas, as well as providing anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, meaning it will boost your immune system in general and strengthen your digestive system in particular. Some people are allergic to chamomile though, so you may want to stay attentive to any adverse reactions.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a nuisance, not a threat
As much as you feel discomforted over your irritable bowel syndrome, you should keep in mind this is a syndrome, rather than an actual sickness. What does that mean? Essentially, it means that even though it’s certainly not a pleasant experience, it’s also not dangerous, and it will not necessarily lead to other health problems.
In all circumstance, IBS can (and should) be managed. By following the advice in this article, you can overcome this problem with ease. Better, even: all your efforts towards overcoming IBS will simultaneously help undermine your anxiety disorder, so you can effectively think of your IBS treatment as part of your anxiety management program.
