Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition where the muscular contractions of the digestive track become uncoordinated and irregular. This impairs the normal movement of food and waste material. The Mayo Clinic estimates that as many as 1 in 5 people suffer from this condition. Unlike more serious intestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, IBS does not cause inflammation or increase the likelihood of colorectal cancer. It can usually be successfully managed with proper diet, stress reduction and natural treatments.
Beneficial Herbs
Lemon balm and rosemary tea alleviate cramps and spasms. Slippery elm bark tea makes the stomach produce a protective mucus. There are also several herbal treatments that come in tincture and tablet form which are helpful. Take all the following as directed on the label. Alfalfa liquid or tablets have vitamin K, which is needed to produce healthy bacteria for proper digestion. Asafoetida tincture provides relief from gas buildup and inflammation. Chamomile and ginger tinctures stop stomach spasms and relieve nausea. Milk thistle stimulates the production of bile, which stops constipation. Peppermint oil enteric-coated capsules relieve spasms. St. John's Wort relieves inflammation and Valerian stops spasms and helps with falling asleep.
Traditional Chinese Formulas
The following mixtures have a long use in traditional Chinese medicine. Calm the Stomach Powder helps with abdominal pain. Four Gentlemen Decoction alleviates loose stool. Minor Construct the Middle Decoction treats spasmodic abdominal pain and loss of appetite. Pinellia Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium treats diarrhea, uncomfortable feelings of fullness and loss of appetite.
Recommended Diet
Avoid foods with insoluble fiber like bran. Coffee, tea and tobacco contain chemicals that increase pressure within the intestines, causing bloating and gas and should be avoided. Stay away from foods sweetened with corn syrup and sorbitol. They are poorly absorbed carbohydrates and can cause gas, bloating, and abdominal pain. Eliminating wheat from the diet may be helpful as many people with this condition have a negative reaction to it. Do not eat immediately before going to bed; instead set your bedtime for at least 1 to 2 hours after you last eat.
Recommended Supplements
Take the daily suggested doses of zinc and any multivitamin containing folic acid and B12. People with IBS are usually deficient in these nutrients. Pancreatin is a pancreatic extract that assists with digestion and reduces inflammation. Take as directed on the label. Between meals, take a acidophilous supplement that does not contain milk. This friendly bacteria competes with the bacteria that aggravates IBS.
Stress Reduction
Stress can greatly aggravate and sometimes be a trigger for IBS. There are many methods to reduce stress in your life. Seeing a counselor can help someone work through any issues that may be stressful in their life and help them modify negative behaviors and reactions. Yoga, meditation and exercise are effective ways to relieve stress as well. All involve a mind-body connection that can help with centering and focusing on the moment. Progressive relaxation is very useful for releasing stress and tension felt in the body. Starting with your feet, tense and relax one body part at a time. Deep breathing from your diaphragm helps you become calmer and also relaxes your abdominal muscles, which can relieve some of the physical discomfort of IBS. Lastly, one of the most beneficial things is making time to do the things that you enjoy and that make you happy.
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