So chances are that you or somebody you know is affected.
All these variables leave patients, and sometimes doctors, scratching their heads about what to do.
These symptoms can include stomachache, nausea, cramps, gas, bloating, and abnormal bowel movements.
These include the low-FODMAP, high-fiber, elimination, gluten-free, and low-fat diets (perHealthline).
FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.
Those sugars can feed the bacteria in the gut and cause other intestinal issues (perCleveland Clinic).
This diet has three phases.
The first is eliminating the FODMAPs.
Then you slowly reintroduce foods to find any culprits.
Finally, you identify triggers and avoid them while returning to your normal diet.
After this, you could try a high-FODMAP food individually and see how you react.
If you have a poor reaction, you’ll know not to eat that food to avoid IBS symptoms.
In most cases, people have an intolerance rather than a true allergy.
Common intolerances are to lactose, fructose, fiber, and gluten (perThe IBS web connection).
To determine if you have an allergy, your medical provider can perform diagnostic blood tests.
Put another way, the goal is to be fully present in each moment without judgment.
Now, who’s ready to get their Zen on?
Hypnotherapy is an option for IBS
The gut-brain connection is no joke.
One way to harness this connection for treatment purposes is to use hypnotherapy.
This is helpful for managing stress, which significantly impacts IBS.
While we sleep, our GI tract gets fully cleaned and repaired on a cellular level.
The probiotics debate and IBS
The use ofprobiotics for IBShas been a hot-button debate.
The result is a more balanced and healthy gut microbiome.
Remember to always clear any supplements with your healthcare provider prior to starting a new regimen.
This supplement is a superstar at treating nausea and relieving stomach pains (perComplementary Therapies in Medicine).
This is a viable treatment option because the CBT model helps patients reevaluate and challenge unhelpful thoughts.
Biofeedback
Biofeedbackis all about training your body to help better control responses and reactions in real time.
Patients can work with a professional who uses biofeedback sensors on the body to monitor different bodily functions.
As a result, patients can work on changing their less-than-desirable responses to improve overall health outcomes.
One is sure to gain lots of personal insight both inside and out from undergoing biofeedback-based interventions.
Talk about getting to know yourself!
Also, feel free to take it easy when dining.
This is not only a more enjoyable experience but one that favors your digestion as well.
Furthermore, try not to skip meals.
Additional no-nos include eating overly heavy meals andeating too close to bedtime.
Both of these behaviors put a lot of stress on your digestion.
Try swapping in the beneficial behavior of making hydration a priority, and drink lots of water!
This tract can be stimulated through different therapeutic massage techniques.
Massage has been especially beneficial for relieving constipation and stress.
Remember, the massage should feel good and should never be painful, so a light touch is key!
Who knew kneading, tapping, and rubbing your tummy could be so therapeutic?
People see acupuncturists for a variety of reasons and conditions, including IBS.
Others believe that acupuncture points can “release blocked energy” (per Healthline).
In the end, success rates for acupuncture are mixed and vary from individual to individual.
If you are deciding whether or not acupuncture is for you, just go with your gut!
