Work With A Healthcare Provider
There is no need to suffer in silence. Working with a healthcare provider can help you pinpoint what triggers your IBS.
From there, you’ll be more likely to find strategies that may offer better and more sustainable control of your IBS symptoms.
Good IBS management strategies often combine lifestyle changes, stress relief, and medications.
How To Calm Ibs Flare Up In 4 Steps
IBS takes many shapes and forms.
Symptoms such as bloating, heartburn and cramping can appear with little or no warning.
Even if you know what your triggers are, IBS can still be unpredictable. There can often be days where symptoms feel worse than others. Even the length of time you suffer with your gut can vary with each flare-up.
Put simply, IBS is unpredictable and you will want to do all you can to calm each episode as quickly as possible. So, how can you calm an IBS flare up?
Quick Read Ibs Is Hard To Stomach
- Irritable bowel syndrome isnt dangerous but can disrupt your life.
- Symptoms include stomach pain, cramping, constipation and diarrhea.
- Experts think IBS is caused by miscommunication between the brain and gut.
- There is no cure, but you can manage symptoms by learning your triggers.
- The low-FODMAP diet, medication and therapy can help.
I spend part of each day thinking about my bowels. I know that sounds strange, but for me it has become a normal part of living with irritable bowel syndrome .
Let me take you through an ordinary day when my IBS symptoms are flaring up. Upon waking up, I immediately have to rush to the bathroom, then again as Im on my way out the door. At the office, I feel mildly nauseated throughout the day and dont eat much, so my energy levels are low.
During a meeting, my stomach feels like its full of angry hornets, and Im faced with a decision: hold the gas in and suffer the cramps or stink up the conference room. I make bathroom runs throughout the day, interrupting my workflow and making me self-conscious of looking like a bad employee for not being at my desk.
At home, I can finally indulge in real food without caring how it will affect my stomach. I can sit on the toilet for as long as I want until my rectal cramps pass without fretting about not getting work done.
Though IBS can be irritating, plus embarrassing and exhausting, the good news is that, while there is no cure for it, it is treatable.
You May Like: How To Make Belly Bloating Go Away After Gallbladder Surgery
Tool Kit For Educating Your Employer About Your Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Tags: IBS
This resources was made possible due to an unrestricted educational grant from Nestle Health Science, makers of IBgard.
If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome , you know that when your symptoms flare up, they can be incapacitating. Getting ready for work in the morning can seem like an impossible task.
People who suffer from IBS may have four to five bowel movements before leaving the house in the morning. This can continue throughout the day, accompanied by abdominal pain. Extreme bloating and abdominal pain can be distracting and effect performance and productivity. The continuous need to use the bathroom can disrupt meetings or make you late for work.
Due to the nature of the condition, people who suffer from IBS often feel isolated, alone, and embarrassed. There is a stigma that comes along with gastrointestinal issues like IBS. Since many symptoms are invisible, it is often difficult for employers and colleagues to understand why you might sometimes be absent or late or need to spend so much time in the bathroom. This can often be chalked up to a lack of understanding on the debilitating nature of the condition and can be rectified by opening the lines of communication between patient and employer.
Most importantly, here are a few things to keep in mind while dealing with IBS at work, before you speak to your employer.
Choose A Friendly Destination If Possible
Though not many are traveling overseas yet due to coronavirus, if youre able to choose where you go, be mindful of your destination and its potential pitfalls.
For example, you may want to avoid any country where food and water are problematic. Getting a stomach infection can cause IBS flare-ups, Dr. Kirsh says.
Also, dont set yourself up for trouble by planning trips where youll have to walk for long periods of time with limited access to a bathroom or travel frequently by train.
You May Like: What Causes Gas And Diarrhea
What Are Some Of The Ways In Which You Can Prevent Irritable Bowel Syndrome
It is a chronic condition. The symptoms of this condition are bloating, abdominal pain, cramps, constipation, and/or diarrhea. The symptoms are exacerbated during the festival season, with increased indulgence in food. Thats because people generally step out for parties and get-togethers! As a result, they are exposed to triggers that may flare up the condition. Some measures may help them to enjoy the festival without any discomfort.
‘ive Tried Changing My Diet And It Didnt Work’
While a low FODMAP diet is effective in managing IBS in approximately 75 percent of people, that still leaves 25 percent of the population who it isnt quite right for. In some cases, poor day to day diet and lack of diversity in the microbiome can impact symptoms, stress is a key trigger for many people, and then other non-FODMAP foods can impact symptoms, such as caffeine, chilli and naturally occurring food chemicals.
Again, working with a dietitian experienced with managing food intolerance is likely to make the process much smoother, and more likely to help you determine what is going on more quickly.
If you are yet to start working on managing your IBS, there is no time like the present to get your symptoms under control. Improving your quality of life is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.
Before starting any health program visit your GP for personalised medical advice.
Read Also: Can Bloating Cause Shortness Of Breath
What Are The Different Types Of Ibs
Researchers categorize IBS based on the type of bowel movement problems you have. The kind of IBS can affect your treatment. Certain medicines only work for certain types of IBS.
Often, people with IBS have normal bowel movements some days and abnormal ones on other days. The type of IBS you have depends on the abnormal bowel movements you experience:
- IBS with constipation : Most of your poop is hard and lumpy.
- IBS with diarrhea : Most of your poop is loose and watery.
- IBS with mixed bowel habits : You have both hard and lumpy bowel movements and loose and watery movements on the same day.
What Are The Risks Of Taking Flaxseed
- Side effects. At normal doses, flaxseed and flaxseed oil seem to be safe. Flaxseed — and not flaxseed oil — contains soluble fiber. It might cause diarrhea, cramping, gas, and bloating. High doses of flaxseed, especially when not taken with enough water, can cause constipation and, rarely, bowel obstruction. If ground flaxseed or flaxseed oil oxidizes , it may cause cholesterol problems and inflammation.
- Interactions. If you take any medicines or other supplements regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using flaxseed. Flaxseed may block the normal absorption of medicines. Always take medicines at least one hour before or two hours after using flaxseed. Flaxseed and flaxseed oil may also interact with drugs like blood thinners, NSAID painkillers, hormone treatments, and some medicines for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Use caution when taking flaxseed or flaxseed oil with other supplements.
- Risks. Never eat raw or unripe flaxseed — it could be poisonous. People who have diabetes, bipolar disorder, high triglycerides, bleeding disorders, or prostate cancer should talk to a doctor before using flaxseed or flaxseed oil. Anyone with digestive problems and women with hormone-sensitive diseases should not use flaxseedà unless instructedà by their doctor.
Given the lack of evidence about its safety, flaxseed and flaxseed oil is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant orbreastfeeding.
Show Sources
Recommended Reading: Is Yogurt Good For Diarrhea
Test New Foods Ahead Of Time
Ideally, its best to avoid eating new foods during the holidays. However, if you plan on sampling new dishes, limit yourself to one or two new items and test them out a few days ahead of holiday festivities so you can get an idea of whether you can tolerate the food without triggering IBS symptoms.
How To Ease Bloating Cramps And Farting
- eat oats regularly
- eat up to 1 tablespoon of linseeds a day
- avoid foods that are hard to digest like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, beans, onions and dried fruit
- avoid products containing a sweetener called sorbitol
- ask a pharmacist about medicines that can help, like Buscopan or peppermint oil
Recommended Reading: Can A Bladder Infection Cause Bloating
Bonus Step Five: Speak To An Expert
The wide variety of symptoms and causes means that it can be difficult to recommend a single approach. Instead its best to have a plan tailored to your specific needs. Im always happy to discuss your particular circumstances with a free consultation to work with you and understand your exact circumstances.
Find Your Ibs Treatment Solution
IBS treatment focuses on addressing symptoms. In addition to diet changes, other lifestyle factors like stress and sleep quality can also affect the disorder. The good news is that you can often manage IBS through lifestyle adjustments.
A gastroenterologist, a doctor that specializes in the digestive system, can help determine what factors have the most significant impact on your gut health and the treatments that will help you feel better. Improve your quality of life by finding a doctor today.
HealthDay News contributed information to this article.
Read Also: What To Do For Leaky Gut
Snacks To Keep Your Ibs Under Control
Irritable bowel syndrome can make going about your day difficult. Not only will you find yourself possibly suffering from painful and uncomfortable stomach cramps and bloating, but you also have to put more thought and planning into your day. It is very difficult to leave the house for the day without some of your own food to take with you. This means that you constantly have to be on top of things which can be difficult with our busy lifestyles. Finding suitable foods to snack on that wont send you running to the bathroom or suffering in pain is probably one of the hardest ideas to come up with. Read on to find some ideas for suitable snacks that will keep your IBS under control and you fully energized.
Prepare To Navigate Food Triggers
Food plays a central role in holiday activities. Many people with IBS report that certain foods trigger their symptoms, so if you have known food triggers, its important to have a plan for the holidays for avoiding your triggers and finding suitable alternatives so you dont feel as though youre missing out.
Common IBS triggers that feature prominently in holiday feasts are:
IBS is highly individual, and foods that cause problems for one person may be tolerable to someone else. Steer clear of foods that tend to spark stomach trouble for you, and plan on having IBS-friendly alternatives available. For example, non-dairy ice cream can replace frozen treats made from cows milk.
Planning ahead to have IBS-friendly alternatives to trigger foods means you dont have to scramble to find something to eat and you wont feel left out at holiday meals.
You May Like: What’s Good For Leaky Gut
How Is Ibs Diagnosed
As there are no tests for IBS, it is diagnosed based on symptoms. Your doctor will consider the diagnosis if you have been experiencing the above symptoms for at least 6 months. They may also wish to perform blood tests and collect a stool sample to rule out other conditions such as IBD, coeliac disease, or gastroenteritis, as these may cause similar symptoms.
Know Your Unique Symptoms
IBS affects the large intestine and symptoms of IBS vary from person to person. Generally, the unifying feature is abdominal pain, but you may also experience:
- Cramping in the lower abdomen.
- Hard bowel movements or constipation.
- Loose bowels or diarrhea.
Its important to understand your specific condition and know how and when IBS affects you, Dr. Kirsh says. Its also a good idea to get a handle on your condition before you travel. No one wants to travel in the middle of a flare-up.
Recommended Reading: Does Applesauce Help With Diarrhea
Will I Need A Colonoscopy
Depending on your symptoms, medical history and other factors, your provider may recommend a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to examine your colon in more detail. These two outpatient procedures are similar. The difference is that a sigmoidoscopy examines just the lower half of the colon. A colonoscopy examines the entire colon.
A flexible sigmoidoscopy can help evaluate bowel disorders, rectal bleeding or polyps. Your provider will:
Heres what you can expect during a colonoscopy. Your provider will:
Often, providers can make an accurate diagnosis and even deliver treatment using a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a much less invasive procedure compared to an abdominal operation.
Gluten/wheat Intake In Ibs
The role of gluten in IBS is still unclear. A considerable proportion of IBS patients report symptoms in response to ingestion of gluten, despite no evidence of having either celiac disease or wheat allergy, a phenomenon that received the nomenclature of non-celiac gluten sensitivity . Some of these patients may respond to a gluten-free diet. Several interventions have reported that gluten restriction for 4 to 8 wk improved IBS symptoms and reduced bowel movements per day and intestinal permeability.
However, the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of the gluten-free diet in IBS require further research. Wheat contains short-chain fructans as the main carbohydrate component. Therefore, there are reports suggesting that FODMAPs in wheat, rather than gluten, induce the GI symptoms in patients with IBS. Amylase trypsin inhibitors and wheat germ agglutinins have also been reported as components in wheat that may contribute to IBS symptoms. In this context, is has been recently suggested that NCGS is a misnomer, as this term gives to understand that all symptoms patients experience following wheat ingestion are from gluten. It has also been indicated that a nomenclature more appropriate than NCGS would be wheat intolerance or wheat sensitivity.
Read Also: What Foods Are Good For Constipation
I Learned To Manage My Stress Levels
Stress is probably the most difficult thing to learn to control because, for the most part, it just seems to crop up when you least want or expect it. Realizing that stress is a natural part of life is key. Its more about how you react to it that affects your IBS.
Cognitive behavioural therapy was a huge help for acknowledging that stress and worry is a natural by-product of life, and that I had to change how I process anxiety. When a stressful thought arises, I ask myself, Will worrying about this situation make it any better? If the answer is No, then I let the worry dissipate.
Its not about being lazy or not caring its about identifying what is and isnt productive. In a stressful situation, its helpful to remind yourself that you can only control your actions and responses, no one elses. Take things slow and try not to let your anxieties run away with you.
Learn Your Other Triggers
Along with certain foods, IBS symptoms can be triggered and exacerbated by other things, primarily stress and hormonal changes. Its common for women to experience worse symptoms shortly before or during their period, for example. If you get a better idea of what triggers you, you can take extra steps to decrease the effect. If youre having a stressful week, choose foods that are less likely to bother your stomach. This approach probably wont entirely rid you of your symptoms, but it may lessen them.
Also Check: What To Eat For Leaky Gut Healing
What Are The Treatment Options For Ibs Patients
Because it is such a multifaceted condition, it is always necessary to identify what the main problem is in the individual patient.
As we have already mentioned, stress and external factors can affect intestinal regularity, and allergies can also be a risk factor: it is possible that certain foods, over the course of time, can lead to intolerances in patients.
This is why it is useful to keep a food diary to try to identify foods that cause discomfort.
If patients are constipated they can be helped with fibre or with hygiene and lifestyle recommendations.
And where this approach is not feasible for various reasons, medication can be used.
The same procedure is followed for symptoms such as diarrhoea, pain or flatulence, all of which can be partly controlled by lifestyle changes and/or drug treatment.
Generally speaking, the recommendations for keeping your intestines healthy are as follows: adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle, exercise, combat stress, and use medication only for targeted purposes and always under medical supervision.
Common Medical Treatments For Ibs
Since the exact cause of IBS is not known, the goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms. If diet and lifestyle changes donât improve your symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend IBS medications. Some common medications include:
- IBS medications: Some medications can help with IBS by either slowing the movement of material through the bowel to reduce diarrhea or by increasing fluid production in the small intestine to reduce constipation. Alosetron or Lubiprostone are two common IBS medications.
- Antispasmodics: These are designed to relax the smooth muscles of the colon to ease cramping and spasms. Two such medications are hyoscine and dicyclomine . They may cause side effects that include dry mouth, palpitations, and difficulty urinating.
- Antidiarrheals: These medications can be useful in treating severe diarrhea. But they should be taken with cautionâ antidiarrheals may have side effects such as nausea and vomiting and should be taken under close supervision. Loperamide is an example of an Antidiarrheal medication.
- Antidepressant medications: Certain antidepressants can help relieve diarrhea and constipation and may treat pain in IBS. They are often prescribed in lower doses for IBS than for depression. Antidepressants for IBS should be taken under supervision as side effects can include insomnia, nausea, and weight gain or loss. Some tricyclic antidepressants used for IBS include imipramine and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as citalopram .
Recommended Reading: Can Constipation Cause Leg Pain