Can you answer mama x 3’s question about IBS?:

I suffer from IBS, and it is really starting to take it’s toll on my social and family life. It only really affects me when it’s time to leave the house (when my adrenaline levels are elevated), and it is making me miserable. I haven’t been out to eat with my hubby and kids in a couple years at least, because the “flare ups” make me miserable and shake and sweat and I can’t possibly eat. I don’t have health insurance, so a doctor’s prescription isn’t an option. Are there any supplements that I can take or “home remedies” that will help me? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I’m willing to try just about anything to get my life back!
I’ve had this problem for most of my life, but it has gotten significantly worse since I had my gallbladder removed in December of ‘04. It is much more painfuul now (to the point I feel faint).

Ibs Constipation Relief

Thousands of people around the world are known to suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or IBS. Though there is no specific general cure that is available for IBS there are several IBS treatment options that are available, which can provide relief from the symptoms. A combination of different types of treatment is actually the best option for relief from IBS symptoms. The combination includes change in diet, proper medication and management of stress.

If someone suffering from IBS has the problem of constipation, doctors would usually suggest a diet that is rich in fiber. Similarly if someone is having the problem of diarrhea, they would suggest a diet that is somewhat lower in fiber content. Apart from the diet, doctors also prescribe proper medication to go along with the diet as part of IBS treatment.

Emotional stress and other mental symptoms are treated using different types of antidepressant drugs. In many cases IBS treatment also involves cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of treatment that involves different types of methods clubbed together , is in fact the best possible way to go about in order to get relief from the symptoms of IBS.

One also needs to make certain dietary changes as part of IBS treatment. This involves avoiding certain food items including, caffeine, fructose, spices, beans, wheat and alcohol. These are some of the food items that are known to trigger the symptoms of IBS. This is not a comprehensive list though and there are many other food items that may trigger the symptoms. It is up to you to identify the particular food items that trigger the symptoms in you.

Hypnotherapy is also being widely as part of IBS treatment. Some even claim that there are very high chances of complete cure from all the IBS symptoms with hypnotherapy. These days you can also find many natural remedies on offer for treating IBS symptoms. Artichoke is one such natural remedy which is being often heard of these days. This thistle like plant is part of the culinary dishes in many parts of the world. The plant is supposed to be full of natural ingredients that help in fighting IBS symptoms.

There are in fact many over the counter medicines that are available for IBS treatment. Although widely available, it is always preferable that you consult your doctor before using any of these remedies. You should also consult your dietician before making any changes in your dietary pattern. While there is no universally available cure for IBS symptoms, a combination of dietary changes along with medicine and stress management is known to work wonders.



Thanks to John Howard for contributing this article to our IBS blog:

Ibs Constipation Relief

Did you know that women are more likely to develop IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) than men? It’s true, and many believe this is because of the different hormones that the female body produces throughout the monthly menstrual cycle. So what happens when menopause begins?

Once this period of life begins, the hormones that are produced by the body change, and so will the problems you have with IBS and the related symptoms. If you consider the way hormones work through a woman’s fertile years, you might understand how the hormonal changes of menopause affect IBS.

Irritable bowel affects up to fifteen percent of the population of the United States, and it is estimated that 70-75 percent of patients are female. Those with this condition suffer from bouts of cramping, bloating, and diarrhea or constipation. This is something that is usually diagnosed before age 50, and some go through life dealing with it, but not realizing that they have a medical condition. There is no real cure for IBS, but there are a number of lifestyle changes and medications that seem to help some patients.

The symptoms and flare ups of IBS tend to be worse for all women when they are having their period. Fluctuating hormones seem to be the culprit, with the rise in progesterone during this time being one of the more influential triggers. This means that a woman with IBS will have far more trouble symptoms and bouts of bloating, diarrhea, and cramping. Because of this, not only do more women get IBS than men, it also means that they are going to have a harder time dealing with it.

Pregnancy can bring about a whole new set of problems for those women with IBS as well. Pregnancy will do many things to a women’s body, and what will happen with IBS seems to be different for every women. Hormones start raging through the body, and many of these are the same or are much like the ones related to menses. For some women, their IBS is much more under control while they are expecting, and for others, the opposite is true.

The good news is that the hormones that are associated with IBS flare-ups will subside substantially when menopause happens. Women with IBS can expect they will begin to feel much better, and their symptoms will be more comparable to men with the condition. Women with IBS generally begin to feel better around age 50 to 55, depending on when they go through menopause. They may notice a sudden improvement when menopause begins, or it may take a while for symptoms to slow down. It is important to remember that while going through menopause, the fluctuations of hormones can be dramatic. This might make IBS worse for a time, but it should pass. Either way, this is a time when a woman can expect to gain some relief from her IBS symptoms at least.



Thanks to Susan Reynolds for contributing this article to our IBS blog:

Feline Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Can you answer chld1968’s question about IBS?:

I have Colitis and don’t know what to eat . I am 37 yrs old in Pa.
Just diagnosed and is clueless to what this requires. If i could just talk to someone with the some anwers. Thank you very much.

Natural Ibs Treatment

Irritable bowel syndrome, which is actually one of the most common disorders of the digestive tract, is a chronic condition affecting a person’s bowel. Although this type of disorder is pretty common, especially in countries such as America, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, some people still do not seem to know when they have IBS, and sometimes simply overlook its symptoms and leave it untreated.

Although a lot of people believe IBS to be psychological disorder, it is actually not, but rather, it is a physical disorder which mainly affects the large intestines, or the bowel. The bowel is responsible for storing or making stool, which are waste products that pass through the digestive system. This digestive disorder can develop at any age, but is usually first experienced between the ages of 15 and 40. Although there is no cure for IBS yet, there are ways and treatments that effectively control and eliminate the different symptoms that people with IBS may experience. It is important for people to be aware of IBS symptoms before attempting any form of treatment, especially since the symptom that they may be experiencing may not necessarily connected to IBS.

One of the symptoms of IBS is that people experiencing it can either have diarrhea or constipation. These symptoms usually are experienced by people with severe IBS, which is also accompanied by severe pain in the abdominal region. People who experience diarrhea usually get the urge to open their bowels, especially after eating meals, usually during breakfasts. Their stools usually have very watery and loose consistency, sometimes with small amounts of mucus-like substances. The person’s bowel movement may be very loose, making the person feel that he or she needs to use the stool every once in a while since the food particles passes too quickly through the digestive system, at least faster than normal.

People who experience the other symptom, which is constipation, experience the exact opposite of those who experience diarrhea. Their bowel movements usually are very constricted, making it very difficult for them to loosen their bowels. Their stools usually are hard and pellet-like in consistency. People who experience this may sometimes feel that they have not completely emptied their bowels after they have finished. This is due to the fact that food particles pass too slowly through the digestive system, making it difficult for them to empty their bowels.

Another more common symptom of IBS is abdominal pain, which is usually experienced by women in higher frequency, especially during their menstrual cycle. The pain can get mild or severe at times, and can recur during the day, especially at night.

Other symptoms include nausea, back and groin pain, depression, vomiting and indigestion, bloated abdomen, excess wind, even disturbed sleep due to constantly urinating.

These symptoms may be experienced by other people who may not necessarily have IBS, so it is important to consult with your doctor first before taking any form of treatment to address it.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor

http://primeherbal.com



Thanks to Vanessa Arellano Doctor for contributing this article to our IBS blog:

Treatments For Ibs