| IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a condition | | | | these foods cause your symptoms to flare up and |
| effecting up to 20% of the population and the | | | | you can eliminate them in line with advice from your |
| numbers are rising. There are more women sufferers | | | | doctor. |
| than men and the age that it commonly starts is at | | | | Some foods can conversely be helpful in easing the |
| around twenty. It is classed as a 'functional' disorder | | | | symptoms of IBS, namely foods high in fiber. For |
| as it alters the way the body works and therefore is | | | | example, bran, cereals, fruit and vegetables. Try |
| not diagnosable using traditional means such as | | | | introducing these foods into your diet, in small |
| examination or blood test. | | | | quantities first to allow your digestive system time to |
| It is not a commonly understood condition, with the | | | | adjust. They will be particularly helpful if you suffer |
| medical community unable to clarify the exact cause. | | | | from constipation as they make stools soft and bulky |
| IBS appears to occur due to the body's inability to | | | | and easier to pass. |
| regulate the bowel functions correctly. This leads to a | | | | Eating little and often has also been proven to relieve |
| number of unpleasant symptoms such as abdominal | | | | symptoms in some IBS sufferers. Try spreading your |
| pain, cramping, excessive wind and irregular bowel | | | | food intake over 5 meals a day. Eating too much in |
| movements including constipation and/or diarrhoea. | | | | one sitting can bring on cramping and diarrhea for |
| However, there are treatments available to allow | | | | people at risk from IBS. |
| sufferers to manage their symptoms. | | | | Although not the cause of irritable bowel syndrome, |
| If you start to notice irregular bowel movements or | | | | stress can be a contributing factor to its symptoms. |
| suffer prolonged abdominal discomfort you could be | | | | Try to introduce some relaxation techniques into |
| suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Keeping a | | | | your day such as meditation, yoga, exercise or any |
| diary to monitor food intake, exercise and stress | | | | activity that you enjoy. |
| levels is a good idea to track anything that may | | | | There are medications available that play a role in |
| exacerbate your symptoms. When diagnosing IBS | | | | relieving the symptoms. Fiber supplements or |
| your medical practitioner will ask you for a general | | | | laxatives are sometimes prescribed for constipation, |
| history of your bowel movements so keeping | | | | there are also drugs available to reduce diarrhea and |
| records will come in handy. | | | | control colon muscle spasms. Antidepressants may |
| Certain foods are also recognized as triggers for IBS, | | | | also be prescribed. Your doctor will talk through the |
| such as fatty foods, caffeine and dairy products. | | | | most appropriate approach for you to take, |
| Keeping a food diary will help you identify if eating | | | | determined by the symptoms that you suffer from. |