Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition that has no cure. This doesn’t mean unpleasant symptoms can’t be managed, however. You can greatly reduce problems such as abdominal pain and cramping, excess gas, diarrhea, constipation, and mucus in the stool with certain lifestyle habits.
While you may experience ebbs and flows in the intensity of your symptoms, you can use these tips to reduce the frequency and severity of the worst times.
At GastroDoxs, we find that many common foods are dietary triggers for an escalation of IBS symptoms. We can help you develop an eating plan so you avoid these triggers and the resulting flare-ups of your IBS. Gas-producing foods to avoid include carbonated and alcoholic beverages, raw fruit, and caffeine. Cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage and broccoli, can also aggravate IBS symptoms.
Many IBS sufferers get relief from diarrhea if they avoid gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Others are sensitive to FODMAPs, a group of fermentable carbohydrates that includes fructose and lactose, among others. We can help you embark on a low-FODMAP diet that forgoes certain grains, fruits, vegetables, or dairy products, depending on your specific triggers.
We can help you create a food diary that tracks not only what you’ve consumed, but the resulting symptoms. This helps you hone in on the foods you really need to cut out to keep your IBS symptoms at bay. We can also help you devise a menu plan using foods that are compatible with your system.
Regular, consistent meal times may help you avoid IBS complications and flare-ups. Skipping meals can irritate your regular bowel function, while predictable meal events keeps you regular.
Small, frequent meals can help IBS sufferers who deal with diarrhea. However, if you suffer from constipation, you may opt for larger meals that contain lots of high-fiber foods to encourage movement through your intestine.
Avoid eating late at night or just before you lie down, as these practices can aggravate symptoms.
Stress is anything that disturbs the delicate equilibrium in your body and thus irritates the gastrointestinal tract. It can be an event that your body and brain perceives as disturbing the balance between the body, mind, and brain. Traveling, not being able to pay the bills, relationship troubles, and even serious dietary changes are all forms of stress.
Stress is a known trigger for IBS symptoms in many people. Stress isn’t the reason you have IBS, but it sure can make symptoms worse.
At GastroDoxs, we offer ways to help you ease stress. This includes gentle exercise and yoga. Meditation, deep breathing, and visualization are other stress-busting techniques to try. You may also just take more time for yourself. For instance, treat yourself to a bath before bed or delegate tasks to others more often.
At GastroDoxs, we want to help IBS sufferers in the greater Houston area regain more normal intestinal function and live a healthy life. We’re here to help you manage your irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal disorders. Call for an appointment or schedule an appointment using the button on this website.
