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Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Written by Nahair Abdel Nabi, Sunday, July 30, 2023 08:00 AM

IBS A chronic disease that affects the large intestine, and it is estimated that approximately 10-15% of people around the world suffer from it, and it often affects people under the age of 50 years.

According to the clevelandclinic website, people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome are associated with constipation or diarrhea, and some of them may experience fluctuating bouts between constipation and diarrhea.

Although this syndrome affects the intestines, it does not cause damage to the intestinal tissue or cause colon cancer.

It is a symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

-Collywobbles.

Gases.

-diarrhea.

constipation.

Presence of mucus in the stool.

– Nausea.

-Indigestion.

Intestinal spasms. The exact cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is still unknown, but there are specific factors that may trigger seizures, and it is believed that the symptoms result from mild or strong muscular contractions in the intestine.

Do your symptoms get worse during your period?

Strong contractions may cause food to pass quickly through the digestive tract; Which leads to diarrhea, but when the contractions are slow or weak; Stools are difficult to pass, which causes constipation.

Are there other causes of this syndrome?

– Inflammation.

Bacterial overgrowth in the intestine.

A bacterial infection in the intestine.

Poor coordination of nerve signals between the brain and nerves in the intestines may trigger symptoms of the syndrome.

Some risk factors contribute to IBS, including: anxiety, depression, or a family history.

The severity of an IBS attack varies from person to person, and symptoms tend to appear and disappear for a long period of time, and symptoms may last for hours or days after the attack.

Sufferers may experience persistent symptoms on a daily basis for weeks or months.

The doctor may diagnose irritable bowel syndrome when complaining of abdominal pain, which recurs once a week – at least – for three months, or when the frequency and consistency of stool changes.

Medications and lifestyle changes can help control symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks by:

Avoid foods that trigger seizures

Ingested foods may trigger an Irritable Bowel Syndrome attack. So the doctor may suggest some changes in the diet.

Are there foods that increase symptoms?

-Soft drinks.

-Alcohol.

– The caffeine.

Some vegetables and fruits.

It is important to identify the foods that trigger seizures for each person, and the doctor may recommend trying an elimination diet for this purpose, including:

Excluding certain foods and drinks from the diet.

Monitor the improvement of symptoms afterward.

Gradually reintroduce these foods into the diet, one at a time.

It is recommended to keep a diary in which you write notes about the foods and drinks consumed, with a record of the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome that occur, as this technique contributes to knowing the foods or drinks that cause attacks.

Following an elimination diet may cause sensitivity to gluten, and if this occurs, a gluten-free diet may improve symptoms.

Symptoms may return when wheat, barley, or rye is introduced back into the diet.

Symptoms may also improve when you avoid gas-causing vegetables, such as cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli.

Monitor sensitivity to sugars

Irritable bowel syndrome may occur if there is sensitivity to certain types of sugars, these sugars are known by the term FODMAPS: they are fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyhydric alcohols, including:

– lactose.

– fructose.

– fructans.

Sugars similar to the above.

Foods that contain FODMAPS include:

Onion.

-the Garlic.

-cabbage.

Green cauliflower.

– cauliflower

-peaches.

– Apple.

– Dairy products.

High fructose corn syrup.

Concentrated fruit juice.

Sugar-free mint candy.

Avoiding these foods may provide some long-term relief if the syndrome is interfering with daily life.

It is essential to adhere to a balanced diet, so it is recommended to consult a nutritionist before making major changes in the diet.

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome diet may seem strict and limited, but there are many types of safe foods. These foods include fruits that are lower in fructose, such as:

-the banana.

-carrots.

– zucchini.

– Oatmeal.

-Sugar.

Pharmacotherapy

If your symptoms don’t improve after making dietary changes, some prescription or over-the-counter medications may help relieve your symptoms.

Dietary fiber supplements help relieve chronic constipation, and your doctor may also recommend taking a laxative.

It can be difficult to control the symptoms of an IBS attack at night or in the workplace.

If you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome with diarrhea, taking an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication may help control symptoms.

What are some tips to reduce the frequency of seizures?

Increase physical activity to regulate intestinal contractions and relieve constipation; It is recommended to exercise for 30 minutes at least three days a week.

Eat at the same time each day to help regulate intestinal function.

-Keep a note of food intake in order to identify foods that trigger seizures.

Gradually increase dietary fiber intake to relieve constipation, keeping in mind that eating too much fiber may cause diarrhea.

Probiotics can also be tried, as an increase in beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract may help relieve IBS symptoms.

– Probiotics can be taken in the form of nutritional supplements, or you can eat yogurt containing probiotics.

Take mint tea or mint-containing supplements to relieve intestinal spasms.

Learn how to control stress, as it is useful to practice yoga or meditation, or mindfulness exercises, or to search for enjoyable activities to practice; With the aim of reducing anxiety and stress to a minimum.

Try acupuncture. Complementary therapies may help relieve Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms.

Consult a hypnotherapist, and learn how to relax the abdominal muscles, as this may reduce the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

2023-07-30 05:00:00

#symptoms #Irritable #Bowel #Syndrome

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