Combating Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

I'm constantly looking for information about Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms because my 55 year old mother has been battling IBS for the last 6 years. I've gathered some very good information that has helped her know these symptoms and how to control them so that it doesn't totally disrupt her lifestyle.

Irritable Bowel syndrome symptoms include: bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping that may go away after having a bowel movement; feeling the need to have a bowel movement after you've already had one; and feeling a strong urge to have a bowel movement.

According to Online International news changes in your lifestyle can help control IBS. Here is what they have to say.

"Certain medicines can be used to deal with specific symptoms, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) says. Eating a varied diet and avoiding foods high in fat can help control IBS. Other measures include: drinking plenty of water, eating a number of small meals each day instead of three large meals, and learning new ways to control and deal with stress."

Want to read this article?

Personality May Influence Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

Reuters Health says that if you are stressful, have anxiety or push yourself to far when you are sick could cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms to act up.

"This study shows that various psychological factors, particularly stress, anxiety and a tendency to push oneself to keep going when ill and then collapse in response, interact with the physical illness in causing IBS.

In their study, the researchers looked at 620 patients who tested positive for stomach inflammation from a bout of infection with a bug called Campylobacter. None of the participants had previously suffered from IBS or serious bowel conditions."

So I started looking into ways my mother could keep her stress levels down.

Check out the article here.

Surely Candy Canes Couldn't help Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms!

Well, maybe not candy canes, but it seems that peppermint oil can be effective at relieving Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms.

Amazing that old time remedies can really work!

"Several studies have shown that peppermint oil seems to be fairly effective at relieving irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a collection of symptoms that includes abdominal cramping and pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. In 2007, Italian investigators reported that 75 percent of the patients in their study who took peppermint oil capsules for four weeks had a major reduction in their IBS symptoms, compared with just 38 percent of those who took a placebo pill."

Read more on this article here.

By far the most information I have received has been from The IBS Cure. It has wonderful information about IBS. Everything from handling your next diarrhea, constipation or bloating attack; how spread out your meals; how to get out of the IBS depression and foods that trigger Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. If you are interested, here is the link: Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

Love to hear what you think!

Martha