Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), also known as spastic colon, is a common condition that affects the large intestine. People with IBS experience symptoms such as pain in the abdomen, gas, constipation or diarrhea. IBS is a chronic disease but it is not progressive. Most people, with the proper home care, can control their IBS and live a symptom-free life.
Lifestyle Changes
Diet and lifestyle changes can help you manage your IBS. If you try to eat your meals at the same time each day, this change can help regulate the function of your bowels. If you experience diarrhea, smaller and more frequent meals often can help regulate that. It is also important that you drink plenty of liquids each day. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should drink mainly water. Alcohol and caffeine can aggravate diarrhea and carbonated drinks can give you more gas.
Diet
You should try to test out fiber in your diet. If you are constipated, fiber can help loosen your bowels, but at the same time it can give you more gas and cramps. You should gradually add fiber into your diet via beans, fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Alternatively, you can take a dietary supplement such as Metamucil. You should also take notes on which foods irritate your stomach and try to remove them from your diet. Common irritants include chocolate, fatty foods and alcohol. If you experience gas, try cutting beans and some vegetables like broccoli and cabbage.
Medication
Some people find that over the counter anti-diarrhea medications such as Imodium and Kaopectate are helpful. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you use these medications, you should use the lowest dose possible. These drugs can be helpful if taken 20 to 30 minutes before eating a meal that can potentially cause you diarrhea. If used improperly, however, these medications can actually harm your digestive system. Like all medications, you should consult with your doctor before taking them on a regular basis.
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