How to Deal with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects thousands of men and women. While the condition isn’t serious or life-threatening, IBS symptoms can interfere with life and make a person feel uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with this digestion disorder.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Fiber supplement
• Food diary

1. Take a fiber supplement. Several factors contribute to irritable bowel syndrome. Often times, a low-fiber diet aggravates the condition. Be sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. If necessary, head to the nearest drug store and pick up fiber caplets.
2. Chart your irritable bowel symptoms. Certain foods and drinks can worsen irritable bowel symptoms. Keep a food chart. This helps pinpoint the foods and beverages that produce symptoms. Stop eating suspect foods for a week, and see whether the symptoms improve.
3. Stay away from milk and dairy products. Although irritable bowel syndrome differs from lactose intolerance, milk and other dairy products and bring on IBS symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain.
4. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. People with irritable bowel syndrome normally deal with bouts of constipation. Combat this problem with water. Drinking eight glasses a day softens stools and allows them to pass through the intestines.
5. Learn how to deal with stress and anxiety. IBS sufferers may notice that their symptoms intensify when they’re tired or stressed. Practice a few relaxation techniques and learn how to manage stress.
6. Get a prescription from a doctor. There is medication to treat the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. If depression or anxiousness triggers the condition, doctors may prescribe an anti-depressant.