More and more people these days are suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS which has become a household word.
IBS is a group of intestinal symptoms that typically occur together. The symptoms vary in severity and duration from person to person.
The symptoms of IBS include Cramping, Abdominal pain, Bloating, Gas, Constipation and Diarrhoea. Mucous in the stools is another common symptom.
Sometimes people suffering from IBS can have Constipation and Diarrhoea together. This is very inconvenient and annoying for people who have to carry out their normal lifestyle as they never know when they need the washroom.
I do hope that these Natural Remedies help you, before having to resort to medication for IBS.
Non-dietary Remedies:
1. Avoid Stress : As it is a trigger for IBS. There are several ways to deal with stress:
Counselling : A counsellor can help you modify your reactions to Stress. Psychotherapy provides significant and long lasting reduction of symptoms in IBS.
Biofeedback : Electrical sensors help you receive information (feedback) on your bodies functions. Feedback helps you focus on making subtle changes, such as relaxing certain muscles to ease symptoms.
2. Meditation and Mindfulness training : These Stress Reduction Techniques helps you to focus on being in the now and letting go of worries and distractions.
3. Relaxation Exercises : Lie in Shavasan position – Start by tightening the muscles in your feet, then concentrate on slowly letting all the tension go. Next, tighten and relax your calves. Continue upwards, until all the muscles in your body, including the ones in your eyes and scalp, are relaxed.
4. Sleep : Sleep on time and sleep well. Our body rejuvenates at rest and this helps IBS sufferers.
5. Exercise : Regular daily exercise helps relieve IBS symptoms without the use of medication.
6. Yoga and Pranayama also help people suffering from IBS.
7. Chew your Food well : Swallowing and Gulping down your food builds gas in the body so Savour and Chew every mouthful.
Dietary Remedies :
1. Remove Caffeine from your diet : Cut back on Caffeinated beverages (Tea, Coffee, Colas), and slowly eliminate them all together as they stimulate the intestines.
2. Probiotics : Have Yogurt, Kefir, Lassi, Sauerkraut, Pickles (not oily Achaar), Miso, Kanji, Kombucha – all good live Probiotics which can relieve abdominal pain and bloating.
3. Prebiotics : Prebiotics are foods that feed the Good Bacteria in the Gut. Prebiotics are found in healthy foods like Bananas, Garlic, Onions and Asparagus so these are good for the Gut and are worth having on a daily basis.
4. High-fibre foods : Beans, Fruits, Vegetables and Whole grains are Low-calorie and full of Vitamins and other Nutrients, so incorporate them into your diet. Fibre can help or hinder in IBS. So please be aware of the triggers in High Fibre foods and remove them. High Fibre foods are triggers and can worsen the symptoms, especially if you are suffering from Severe Bloating, Gassiness or Diarrhoea.
5. Herbs such as Flaxseed, Peppermint, Aniseed, Fennel, Asafoetida and Caraway seeds help with the Bloating and Gas.
6. Hydrate : Have 0.35 ml of water per kilo of Body Weight. This quantity of water is essential for our body anyway, but for IBS symptoms it is imperative. Also drink water an hour before or after meals, not while you eat.
7. Avoid Large meals: As they are a trigger for IBS. Avoid Spicy, Fried foods and Eat Smaller meals.
8. Chewing Gum : Avoid Chewing Gum at all costs as it causes gas and increases IBS symptoms.
9. Don’t eat foods at opposite temperatures, such as ice-cold water and steaming hot soup, in the same meal.
10. Wheat products could be a trigger for IBS so be aware on how it reacts on your body.
Hope you are able to contain this Frustrating Syndrome.
Happy Healing and all the best from Naturally Dimpi!