Explaining the Condition Known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder that is known for the symptoms of abdominal pain, gut contractions, and bowel habit changes. People who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome have to endure several daily complications, including: acute diarrhea, bloating, constipation, fever, mucus in stools, and vomiting.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that, while may never be fully cured, can be managed through simple dietary and nutritional changes and by the addition of supplementation.
What to Do for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Before starting a diet, start a food journal to note and remove problematic food items. An important factor to better maintain the effects of irritable bowel syndrome is to introduce more fiber into the diet. Fiber can help to lessen irritable bowel syndrome by making stools softer and relieving constipation.
Recommended foods that are excellent sources of fiber are:
- Barley
- Black beans
- Bran cereal
- Brown rice
- Dry fruits
- Flaxseed meal
- Fresh fruit with skins (may be better tolerated cooked or canned)
- Fresh vegetables (may be better tolerated cooked)
- Garbanzo beans
- Kidney beans
- Lentils
- Lima beans
- Navy beans
- Nuts
- Oatmeal (plain and unflavored)
- Oats
- Pasta
- Peeled potatoes
- Raisins
- Rice cereal
- Soybeans
- Split peas
- White rice
- Whole grains, including breads and cereals
- Yams
Insoluble fibers can be mixed into the diet by blending fresh fruit with soy or rice milk for the creation of a healthy cocktail. Any foods that are low in fat and high in carbohydrates are the best options and provide softer digestion. Meats, such as a grilled fish fillet and low fat chicken breast are good choices.
It is also important to drink at least six to eight glasses of water per day because fiber absorbs water, and helps to keep stools soft. To further increase fiber intake, it is recommended to drink psyllium or flaxseed dissolved in water.
Certain Foods to Avoid
There are foods that need to be avoided as they are common “triggers” that can set off an attack of irritable bowel syndrome. Factors such as changes in diet, to meal portions, to even chewing food too quickly can cause digestion problems. Foods that have been known to cause these problems are alcoholic beverages, caffeine, chocolate, nicotine, gas-producing foods, dairy products, spicy foods, highly acidic foods, fatty foods, and sorbitol.
Consult with Your Doctor
The most important thing to do against irritable bowel syndrome is to eat a proper diet, take steps to reduce stress and exercise to lessen the digestive effects. Be sure to check with a doctor to see what diet remedies are best for a person.
Find additional ways to alleviate your symptoms of IBS here.
Sources:
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditions/digestive/ibs-irritable-bowel-syndrome/diet-nutrition/foods-to-choose
http://health.yahoo.com/digestive-treatment/controlling-irritable-bowel-syndrome-with-diet/healthwise–uf4696.html
http://health.learninginfo.org/irritable-bowel-syndrome.htm
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/#help
