However, most people will not experience severe complications. People also refer to IBS as spastic colitis, mucous colitis, and nervous colon. It is a chronic condition.
However, its symptoms tend to change over the years. Symptoms often improve as individuals learn to manage the condition. Until recently, scientists were not sure what caused IBS, but there is growing evidence that microbes present during infectious gastroenteritis may trigger a long-term reaction.
Symptoms often get worse after meals. A flare-up may last for several days, and then symptoms either improve or resolve completely. Signs and symptoms vary between individuals. They often resemble symptoms of other diseases and conditions and can also affect different parts of the body.
Anxiety and depression may also occur, often due to the discomfort and embarrassment that may accompany the condition. Symptoms are often worse after consuming certain products, such as chocolate, milk, or alcohol. They may cause either constipation or diarrhea. Some fruits, vegetables, and sodas can trigger bloating and discomfort. It is unclear whether a food allergy or intolerance plays a role. Common dietary triggers of cramping or bloating include foods that cause flatulence , such as:.
Changes in eating habits can help control symptoms. No IBS diet works for every person. Therefore, an individual may need to go through a process of trial and error to find a consistent, comfortable diet.
Here, learn more on foods that people with IBS should avoid. It is unclear what causes IBS, but experts believe that microbial factors may play a key role. Scientists have linked it to food poisoning. In fact, 1 in 9 people who experience food poisoning develop IBS at a later date. It seems that the microbes involved in infectious gastroenteritis may have an impact on the immune system that leads to long-term changes in the gut.
It's unclear what causes episodes of IBS symptoms, but several studies have shown the following factors may play a part in IBS flare-ups:. There is no cure for IBS, but a range of strategies may help manage a flare-up. Many approaches may also be used to prevent or reduce the chance of an episode of IBS.
This two-step approach should help identify foods that trigger a flare-up. In hypnotherapy, you are gently brought into a relaxed and focused state, where you then use visualizations and suggestions to improve your gut-brain connection.
It's one of the best natural remedies for IBS flare ups and requires no drugs or diets to see results. A recent study showed that gut-directed hypnotherapy is equally effective as the low-FODMAP diet in reducing IBS symptoms—which is good news for people wanting to improve their symptoms without overhauling their diet and lifestyle. You can try gut-directed hypnotherapy by visiting a gut-directed hypnotherapist or using a mobile app like Nerva based on this recent study.
How hypnotherapy exactly works is still unclear to researchers, but it is thought to work by helping you:. Stress can worsen symptoms of a flare-up because of the gut-brain connection literally a chemical connection between your gut and brain.
This is why relaxation techniques that work for the mind can also help calm the gut. Two common ways to reduce stress and episodes of IBS are:. Peppermint oil is a herbal supplement that has been used as a natural remedy for centuries. Peppermint oil is a great natural remedy for an IBS flare-up. The active ingredient in peppermint oil is menthol, which has a cooling effect.
Menthol dulls pain receptors and relaxes the muscles of the colon. Peppermint oil can help reduce pain, bloating, and constipation and has even been shown to be more effective than antispasmodics in relieving overall symptoms of IBS.
Peppermint oil is available over-the-counter in capsule form and is well tolerated by most people. However, in rare cases, peppermint oil may cause side-effects such as gastric reflux. Coffee and other sources of caffeine may worsen symptoms of IBS during a flare-up. Even without IBS, caffeine is known to have a laxative effect on the body with diarrhea being a common side-effect of overconsumption.
Try cutting out all forms of caffeine—this means teas, soft drinks, coffee, and chocolate—and watch for any changes in your symptoms. Heat therapy is a traditional home remedy for pain and offers a gentler approach than taking medications when your stomach is already upset. Heat therapy works by reducing blood flow to relax the muscles of the abdomen. It has been shown to relieve certain kinds of back pain more effectively than ibuprofen and is a good choice for treating pain in IBS.
Try applying something warm, like a hot-pack or hot water bottle, to your belly. Make sure you place a towel between your skin and the heat source to avoid being burned.
Increasing your levels of exercise may provide relief from an IBS episode. Exercise helps relieve your symptoms as it can stimulate normal contractions of the intestines while also reducing stress. In one study , participants who took part in 20 to 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise noted significant improvements in abdominal pain and quality of life compared to the control group. Although this study was conducted over a longer time-frame, even a single session may be beneficial in fighting a flare-up.
Since the exact cause of IBS is not known, the goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms. Some common medications include:. Sometimes, you may experience symptoms similar to those of IBS that are actually caused by a different condition.
These include:. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible. In addition to assessing your symptoms, several tests can be performed to find out if you have a different medical condition.
An IBS flare-up can be frustrating and may cause a range of digestive symptoms. Mindset Health only uses high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed research, to support our articles. We work with experts to ensure our content is helpful, accurate and trustworthy. Email a program Send a program overview about your selected program to you or your client's email address. First name Email address Which Mindset app would you like information on?
Looking for ways to calm an IBS flare up? You're not alone. Although IBS is typically a chronic long-lasting condition, many people's symptoms come and go. Some people, however, live with symptoms on a daily basis for weeks or months. Because IBS is a chronic condition, it may not go away completely. However, medication and lifestyle changes can help you manage the condition and reduce the frequency of attacks. What you eat could trigger an attack, so your doctor may suggest dietary changes. Foods that trigger IBS differ from person to person.
But typically, foods and drinks that provoke symptoms include:. To do this, your doctor may recommend an elimination diet. This involves:. Keep a food journal to track what you eat and drink and log any IBS symptoms you develop.
This technique helps pinpoint foods or beverages that cause your attacks. An elimination diet might reveal a gluten sensitivity. If so, maintaining a gluten-free diet may improve your symptoms.
If you introduce wheat, barley, or rye back into your diet, your symptoms could return. Similarly, your symptoms may improve if you avoid high-gas vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli. If IBS interferes with normal daily activity, eliminating these foods may offer long-term relief.
An IBS diet may feel restrictive, but plenty of foods are safe to eat. These include fruits with less fructose like bananas, cantaloupe, and grapes. Other safe choices include:. A fiber supplement can ease chronic constipation. Your doctor may also suggest a laxative. Managing an IBS attack can be challenging at night and while at work. Your doctor may prescribe a bile acid binder to promote solid bowel movements. You can also talk to your doctor about medications to treat pain associated with IBS.
Options include pregabalin Lyrica or gabapentin Neurontin. Since anxiety and depression can worsen IBS symptoms, your doctor may also recommend an antidepressant. Other medications for the treatment of IBS include :.
0コメント