Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Self Help
Last Updated on Friday, 19 November 2010 14:33
Self Help For Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Many IBS sufferers manage their symptoms effectively without the need for medication.
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Watch Your Diet: There is no single food that has been shown to worsen or relieve symptoms but a few people have noticed that certain foods do make them worse, so it may be worth keeping a food diary for a few weeks to try to identify any culprits. Adjusting your diet is most likely to be helpful if your main symptom is diarrhoea. Foods that commonly seem to trigger symptoms are wheat and dairy products. A high-fibre diet may help if constipation is a particular problem for you, but this can make bloating and flatulence worse.
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Keep Hydrated: Make sure that you drink enough throughout the day but avoid caffeinated drinks as these can trigger the symptoms.
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Make Lifestyle Changes: Have regular mealtimes and avoid eating meals ‘on the go’. Try relaxation techniques (see Benefits of Meditation and How to Get Started) and regular exercise to help you reduce and manage stress.
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Try Probiotics: These are sold over the counter and may help to ease bloating and flatulence. You may need to try a number of different products before finding one that suits you. More on Probiotics
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Try Hypnotherapy: Relaxation and visualization techniques can help to manage the symptoms of some types of irritable bowel syndrome. When IBS is triggered by stress, hypnotherapy can help in a number of ways. Hypnotherapy can help you to relax to ease the symptoms, programme new and more positive reactions to stressful situations, as well as teach you powerful visualization techniques to reduce stress and imagine relief from your symptoms.You do need to commit to a full course before making a call over whether it is likely to help you.
