Irritable bowel syndrome – or IBS for short – is a common digestive condition that affects many people. Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include bloating, diarrhoea, pain in the abdominal region and constipation. It is not a life-threatening illness but it can be difficult to manage for people who suffer from it and affect how you live.
There isn’t a known cause for IBS, however it is thought that a range of things can cause it – this could be stress, or an imbalance in the bacteria of the gut. Emotional wellbeing is important, as there is a known connection between the gut and the brain.
There isn’t a test to diagnose it, it is done by process of elimination. Usually, the first step in managing the symptoms will be to make changes to your diet to see if this helps. Limiting certain foods that can be irritating to the gut can often make life easier, and if you keep a food diary you can often connect the flare ups of IBS with certain foods that you have eaten.
Acupuncture is something else that can often be of help to people who are suffering from IBS. Make sure that you go to a qualified professional like this acupuncture Evesham based clinic //www.purelandsacu.co.uk/acupuncture-evesham and bear in mind that you may need a few sessions to notice an improvement.
Improving your lifestyle overall can also help – ensuring that you are getting enough sleep and getting exercise can benefit the whole body as well as the gut.
How herbal teas may ease digestive symptoms
Some people with IBS find herbal teas a soothing addition to their routine. Different teas affect the digestive system in different ways, and they can be combined for a more rounded effect.
Stress can contribute to constipation, and calming herbal teas may help ease that tension and settle the stomach. Dehydration is another common cause. When you do not drink enough, the body draws water from the bowel, leading to hard stools. Warm tea replaces fluid and can help ease constipation.
For bloating, wind and cramps, certain herbal teas may help relax the digestive system and reduce spasms. Some herbs are also thought to have an anti-inflammatory effect, which may ease IBS symptoms, and some teas can help reduce acidity. Because they are natural drinks, they can be part of a healthy lifestyle, though they should sit alongside medical advice rather than replace it.
How a low FODMAP diet can help
A low FODMAP diet is designed for people with IBS. It works by including some foods and cutting out others to ease symptoms such as stomach pain and cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. IBS can also bring flatulence, tiredness, a lack of energy, nausea, backache and problems when peeing, so a change of diet that reduces these can make daily life much easier.
IBS is not the only condition where food choices matter. Severe allergies and intolerances, such as lactose intolerance or coeliac disease, also call for dietary changes, as do eczema and heart disease, although the diets involved can be very different.
For general health, weight around the middle is worth watching. BMI is a blunt measure and does not always reflect health, while the ratio of waist to hip can say more about risk. Fat concentrated around the abdomen is a sign of possible future problems, whereas weight carried as muscle is not.
Diet changes and tracking apps for IBS
Because IBS has no single known cause, many people manage it by finding out what sets their symptoms off. Certain foods and drinks seem to trigger flare-ups for some sufferers, so avoiding known trigger foods is a common first step. The low FODMAP diet has shown particular promise, with UK research finding it more effective than the standard NICE-approved IBS diet for three out of four people who tried it.
Other common treatments include medicines, psychological therapies, probiotic supplements, complementary and herbal remedies, and taking more exercise. What works varies from person to person, which is why keeping a record can help.
Mobile phone apps are now a popular way to do this. Several let you log bowel movements, diet, mood, stress, medication and exercise, making patterns easier to spot over time. One FODMAP app developed with King’s College London includes a large database of supermarket foods and guides adults through the diet in three stages. Another offers clinical hypnotherapy, reflecting the role psychological approaches can play in easing IBS.