Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Tips on Controlling Your Symptoms

For more info. go to www.CaptainColon.com or http://www.VolcanoHealing.com '>http://www.VolcanoHealing.com testimonials http://www.volcanohealing.com/... is irritable bowel syndrome? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is acommon problem with the intestines. In people with IBS, the intestines squeeze too hard or not hard enough and cause food to move tooquickly or too slowly through the intestines. IBS usually begins around age 20 and is more common in women. IBS is also calledfunctional bowel syndrome, irritable colon, spastic bowel and spastic colon. It's not the same asinflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis.What are the symptoms of IBS? Common symptoms of IBS• Bloating and gas• Mucus in the stool• Constipation• Diarrhea, especially after eating or first thing in the morning• Feeling like you still need to have a bowel movement after you've already had one• Feeling a strong urge to have a bowel movement• Abdominal pain and cramping that may go away after having a bowel movementThe symptoms may get worse when you're under stress, such as when you travel, attend social events or change your dailyroutine. Your symptoms may also get worse if you don't eat enough healthy foods or after you've eaten a big meal. Some peopleare bothered by certain foods. Women who have IBS may notice more frequent symptoms during their menstrual periods.How is IBS diagnosed? Your doctor may start by asking you questions about your symptoms. If your symptoms havehad a pattern over time, the pattern may make it clear to your doctor that IBS is the cause. If your symptoms have juststarted, something else may be the cause. Your doctor may need to do some tests, such as a blood test or colonoscopy, tomake sure that your symptoms aren't caused by something other than IBS.How is IBS treated? The best way to handle IBS is to eat a healthy diet, avoid foods that seem to make you feelworse and find ways to handle your stress.Why may fiber be helpful? Fiber can be helpful because it improves how the intestines work. There are 2 types offiber: Soluble fiber helps both diarrhea and constipation. It dissolves in water and forms a gel‐like material. Manyfoods contain soluble fiber such as apples, beans and citrus fruits. Psyllium, a natural vegetable fiber, is a also asoluble fiber. You can buy psyllium supplements (some brand names: Fiberall, Metamucil, Perdiem) to drink andyou can add it to other foods. Insoluble fiber helps constipation by moving material through your digestivesystem and adding bulk to your stool. Insoluble fiber is in whole grain breads, wheat bran and many vegetables.Increase the fiber in your diet slowly. Some people feel bloated and have gas if they increase their fiber intake too quickly. Gasand bloating usually improve as you get used to eating more fiber. The best way to increase your fiber intake is eat a wide varietyof high fiber foods. For more information, read the handout, Do certain foods cause IBS? No. Foods don't cause IBS. But somefoods may make you feel worse. Foods that may make symptoms worse include foods high in fat or caffeine. Fat and caffeine cancause your intestines to contract, which may cause cramping. Alcohol and chocolate may also make you feel worse. If gas is aproblem for you, you might want to avoid foods that tend to make gas worse. These include beans, cabbage and some fruits.Keeping a diary of what you eat and what your symptoms are for a few weeks may be a good way to find out if a food bothersyou. If you think a food makes you feel worse, don't eat it. But don't cut out foods unless they have caused you problems morethan once. For more info. go to www.CaptainColon.com or http://www.VolcanoHealing.com '>http://www.VolcanoHealing.com testimonials http://www.volcanohealing.com/...

Channel: Howto & Style
Uploaded: November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am
Author: ColonExperts

Length: 05:10
Rating: 4.55
Views: 26060

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