How To Relax Stomach Muscles Ibs

How Ibs Can Affect The Urinary Tract

Scientists are still trying to understand how IBS can cause bladder problems. There are currently several theories.

IBS Bloating

Originally, it was suggested that IBS can put additional pressure on the bladder and urinary tract due to abdominal bloating. However, although this may contribute, there is likely to be a more complex explanation.

Same Affected Nerves

Another theory is that the bowel and the bladder are under the control of the same nerves. Therefore, dysfunction in these nerves could affect both organs, causing both IBS and urinary problems.

Central Nervous System Issues

Others have suggested that a problem in the central nervous system causes urinary problems in IBS. Both the bladder and the bowel contain high concentrations of serotonin. Therefore, it is possible that this versatile neurotransmitter could play a role.

Another neurotransmitter that might be involved is acetylcholine. This chemical is responsible for controlling contractions in smooth muscle, including the bladder and bowel.

It is possible that a combination of all these factors is to blame. Unfortunately, until further research emerges, we can only speculate as to the precise cause of bladder problems in IBS.

Common Questions About Buscopan

Buscopan relieves stomach cramps and period pains by helping your digestive system and bladder relax.

It does this by reducing the wave-like contractions of the muscle in the walls of the stomach, bowel and bladder.

Buscopan helps to treat stomach cramps and period pains, but does not cure them.

Buscopan tablets start to work within 15 minutes. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if your symptoms do not improve within 2 weeks.

Do not take Buscopan for longer than 2 weeks. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms change, get worse or have not improved in the meantime.

Your doctor will want to rule out an illness that may be causing your symptoms.

If its on the advice of your doctor, you can take Buscopan for longer.

Buscopan is safe to take for a long time as long as you take the recommended dose and youre not having any side effects.

Buscopan Cramps and Buscopan IBS Relief are essentially identical.

The tablets in each contain the same active ingredient and in the same strength .

But the 2 products are marketed differently:

Buscopan IBS Relief is available from most pharmacies and supermarkets.

Buscopan Cramps is only available from behind the pharmacy counter.

Usually its best not to take Buscopan at the same time as other IBS remedies just take one or the other.

Yes, you can take Buscopan at the same time as everyday painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen.

There are other IBS remedies, including peppermint oil and mebeverine .

Yes, you can drink alcohol with Buscopan.

Eat Small Balanced Meals At Regular Times

Stomach sensitivity may increase with prolonged periods of not eating, so please dont skip meals! High fat meals can sometimes be difficult to digest, so ensure that you are eating mostly high quality fats such as those found in nuts, avocados, seeds, fish, and olive oil, along with adequate protein and complex carbohydrates.

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Specific Treatments For Ibs Are Not Approved For Use

A small number of medications have been developed to treat IBS and have been shown to be effective in selected groups in clinical trials. These work on the interaction between serotonin and nerve cells of the colon. They include alosetron, cilansetron and tegaserod. Safety concerns with these three medications has led to their withdrawal from the market, or restricted use only, and none are presently licensed in Australia.

Family Doctor Dawn Harper On The Questions To Ask

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common gut disorder that will affect up to one in five people in the UK at some stage in their life. Symptoms can vary, from abdominal pain and bloating to bouts of diarrhoea and/or constipation. There is no cure for IBS, but symptoms can often be eased with treatment.

We asked GP Dr Dawn Harper what she would want to know if she was diagnosed with IBS.

Is my diet causing my IBS?Keep a food diary. Writing down everything you eat and when symptoms flare up can be enlightening. Dairy products and wheat are common triggers of IBS, but beware of excluding these foods permanently. Cut them out in the short term and continue your symptom diary. If your symptoms disappear, these foods may have been responsible.

Remember, stress and routine can play a significant role in IBS, so re-challenge your system a few weeks later to see if the symptoms recur. If youre considering eliminating a food group from your diet long term, speak to a dietitian about how to replace the lost nutrients.

What other factors can affect my condition?Eat regularly. Missing meals then binging will make your symptoms worse. Try to sit down to eat. Eating on the move isnt good for your digestive system.

How can I manage my stress levels?This may be easier said than done, but try making a note of stressful situations that trigger your IBS. You wont be able to avoid some stresses, but putting them down on paper may help you to identify the ones you can do something about.

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What Is Causing The Pain

When our guts are disrupted, constipation, diarrhoea and cramps can all be caused as the gut muscle starts contracting abnormally. These disruptions to our digestive system may be caused by diet, stress, medication and not drinking enough fluids.

For women, it is quite common to experience pronounced IBS symptoms around the time of menstruation approximately a third of women experience gas, diarrhoea or constipation.

Slowly Increase Your Fiber Intake

Many people with IBS are unnecessarily afraid of fiber. They fear that it will make their symptoms worse. Dietary fiber, which can be found in fruits, vegetables, and grains, is actually essential to keep your digestive system working at its best.

The ACG recommends increasing your intake of soluble but not insoluble fiber.Soluble fiber dissolves easily in water, while insoluble fiber does not. Common sources of soluble fiber include oats, peas, apples, beans, and citrus fruits.

For people with sensitive digestive systems, like those with IBS, it is important to increase fiber intake very slowly so that your colon has time to adjust.

When it comes to fiber, there are two more things to keep in mind. First, beware of bran. Many people with IBS say it irritates their systems. Second, when boosting your fiber intake, it may help to start with low-FODMAP fruits and vegetables, and those high in soluble fiber.

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How Can I Stretch My Muscles Fast

The best stretches to become more flexible Start and end each day with static stretches. Static stretches allow for deep, isolated stretching. Perform dynamic stretches before and after you exercise. Dynamic stretches improve mobility. Mash your muscles a few times each week. Practice rotational movements.

Can You Get Knots In Your Abdominal Muscles

In most cases, a lump is caused by a hernia. An abdominal hernia is when the abdominal cavity structures push through a weakness in your abdominal wall muscles. Usually, this can be easily corrected with surgery. In rarer cases, the lump may be an undescended testicle, a harmless hematoma, or a lipoma.

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I Get Terribly Embarrassed At Work Because I Cant Stop Burping And Farting How Can I Make It Stop

Excess belching can be the result of eating too quickly, drinking too quickly or drinking too many fizzy drinks. It can also be caused by nervousness, which makes people swallow a lot. The bicarbonate in saliva reacts with stomach acid to make CO2, which is then belched.

Excess farting may be due to eating too much fibre , or certain vegetables whose carbohydrate cant be digested by the human gut .

Extra-smelly farts are sometimes due to having too much fat in the diet. Fats may be broken down in the large bowel by bacteria, which produce volatile, unpleasant fatty acids.

Do Antispasmodics Work For Ibs

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. Also question is, can antispasmodics make IBS worse?

Side effects may include drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, or an inability to urinate. Antispasmodics may make constipationoften a main symptom of IBSworse. See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects.

Furthermore, what is a gut antispasmodic? Antispasmodic drugs such as dicyclomine and hyoscyamine relieve the stomach cramps brought on by IBS by relaxing the smooth muscle of the gut. They also may cause constipation, so they aren’t usually prescribed for people who suffer from IBS-C.

Also, do muscle relaxers help with IBS?

Many doctors prescribe drugs that relax muscles, called antispasmodics, such as dicyclomine and hyoscyamine to help with IBS because muscle spasms in your digestive tract can cause belly pain. Mayo Clinic: “Irritable bowel syndrome.”

What is the best medicine for IBS?

Medications approved for certain people with IBS include:

• Alosetron . Alosetron is designed to relax the colon and slow the movement of waste through the lower bowel.
• Eluxadoline .

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Some Things Help Others Don’t

Although there are all sorts of tips and recommendations out there when it comes to IBS treatment, there’s a lack of good research in this area. Generally speaking, it’s fair to say that there’s no treatment that is guaranteed to relieve the symptoms. But research has shown that some treatments can at least help in some people or in the short term. These include the following:

• Dietary supplements containing peppermint oil or probiotics
• Certain anti-cramping medications, antidepressants and drugs to relieve constipation
• Psychological treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnosis

But research has also shown that these treatments particularly the medications can cause side effects.

Studies on the effects of have found that it doesn’t help in IBS.

Many other recommended treatments haven’t been studied properly so it isn’t clear how well they work. These include reflexology massage, enemas and changing what you eat for instance, more fiber or certain diets.

Possible Causes Of Ibs

While we do not know for sure what causes IBS, it is a multifactorial disorder that likely involves an interaction between the GI tract, bacteria in the gut, the nervous system, and external factors, such as stress.

Although not proven, theories exist as to factors that influence IBS symptoms, including:

• neurological hyper-sensitivity within the GI nerves
• physical and/or emotional stress
• the amount or pattern of physical exercise
• chronic alcohol abuse
• abnormalities in GI secretions and/or digestive muscle contractions
• acute infection or inflammation of the intestine , such as travellers diarrhea, which may precede onset of IBS symptoms

The GI system is very sensitive to adrenalin the hormone released when one is excited, fearful, or anxious and to other hormones as well. Changes in female hormone levels also affect the GI tract, so IBS symptoms may worsen at specific times throughout the menstrual cycle. Since these hormones can affect the transit time of food through the digestive tract, this might account for the predominance of IBS in women, although direct evidence is still lacking.

It is important to note that since there is no definitive proof of the source of IBS, many promoted potential causes and advertised cures of this syndrome are simply speculation.

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How To Calm An Anxious Stomach: The Brain

Ever wonder why you get butterflies in your stomach before doing something stressful? Or why you feel like your stomach is tied in knots after an argument? Ever had a meeting with a toilet that went longer than expected and it wasnt caused by anything you ate? Stomach problems are one of the most common symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Researchers have identified a powerful connection between the gut and the brain. Like the brain, the gut is full of nerves. It contains the largest area of nerves outside the brain with the digestive tract and the brain sharing many of the same nerve connections.

Whether its a single nerve-wracking event or chronic worry and stress over time, stress can exact a physical toll on your digestive system. When you are anxious, some of the hormones and chemicals released by your body enter your digestive tract, where they interfere with digestion. They have a negative effect on your gut flora and decrease antibody production. The resulting chemical imbalance can cause a number of gastrointestinal conditions.

Common stress-related gut symptoms and conditions include:

• indigestion
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• and peptic ulcers

Six Tips for Reducing Stress and Anxiety

What Is A Colon Spasm

Colon spasm is the sudden, abrupt, and painful contractions of the muscles in the colon. It is not a condition in itself and may indicate an underlying medical condition. The most common condition associated with colon spasm is irritable bowel syndrome , also known as spastic colon, as it causes abnormal contractions of muscles in the colon.

Other conditions may also cause spasm, which includes:

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Take A Probiotic Supplement

Some people report that the use of probiotics has helped them with IBS. These “friendly” microorganism strains work to balance the bacteria within the gut. The strain with the most research support to date is Bifidobacterium infantis.

However, the American College of Gastroenterology recommends against the use of probiotics for IBS symptoms. This is primarily due to a lack of high-quality research on the subject. It also reflects the difficulty in determining the specific effects of different probiotic strains.

If you think probiotics might be right for you, be sure to discuss the pros and cons with your healthcare provider.

Listen To A Hypnotherapy Recording

Hypnosis has strong research support for easing the symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain. Ideally, you want to be engaged in an ongoing hypnotherapy treatment program for best results. But when you are in immediate pain, you may be able to benefit from the relaxation of listening to a hypnosis CD or recording that focuses on the gut.

The quickest way is to download an app on your smartphone or other mobile device. There are quite a few IBS-specific hypnotherapy apps available. It’s best to find one that’s backed by research, like Nerva.

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• What medications can reduce IBS pain quickly?

  Anticholinergics reduce spasms, which can decrease the pain of IBS. Examples include hyoscyamine and dicyclomine. They should usually be taken 30 to 60 minutes before a meal.

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Relaxation And The Stress Response

It is helpful to imagine the bodys stress response as a home security system. When a threat to security appears, an alarm goes off. In order for things to return to a state of peace and quiet, the alarm must be turned off. To turn the alarm off, a message must be sent to the brain that all is well and steps must be taken to override the physical changes that we have conscious control over.

Relaxation techniques are an excellent tool for turning off the stress response. The major elements are visualization, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation. The use of relaxing visualization helps to distract the mind from its perception of threat. Deep breathing and muscle relaxation create a body experience that is the exact opposite of what is needed in times of stress. This relays a different message to the brain, a message of safety, which allows the brain to stand down and turn off the stress response.

How Do I Relax My Abdominal Muscles

You might find a heating pad or hot water bottle soothing when youre feeling sick, so cuddle up to your electric blanket and take it easy until your symptoms pass. The warmth on your stomach will distract you from any cramping or pain, and the heat can help to relax your muscles and reduce your nausea.

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Best Ways To Battle Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Get to know your triggers and ways to prevent flare-ups.

Cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation are tough to handle at any time. But if a combination of these symptoms occurs over three or more months, you may have a condition called irritable bowel syndrome . It’s the most common diagnosis made by gastroenterologists, accounting for as many as 3.5 million physician visits per year. “I see someone with this condition every day,” says gastroenterologist Dr. Jacqueline Wolf, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Can Behavioral Medicine Help You

Behavioral medicine techniques like these can help improve your mood and your quality of life. And that can mean fewer IBS flare-ups.

If medication or other treatments arent helping your IBS, or if you notice that stress makes your symptoms worse, be sure to contact your health care provider to see what next steps you might consider.

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Physical Symptoms Of Ibs

Many people with IBS suffer from bloating, excess gas and constipation. Needless to say, these physical symptoms can be uncomfortable and difficult to deal with.

These gentle stretches can be used to stimulate your abdominal muscles which, in turn, can massage your internal organs and digestive system and get things moving properly. Incorporating these into your daily routine can also help to ease physical symptoms of IBS at the same time as calming the mind.

Relief From Spasms Is Available

Determining what is causing your spasms takes perseverance. Take time to look closer at the underlying causes. Once you identify the triggers, you can take steps to reduce them. Partner with your health care practitioner and formulate an action plan that will give you relief from spasms due to IBS for once and for all.

You can use your journal as a guide for eliminating problem foods. Your journal may also show you that there are foods you may enjoy which you may have previously avoided.

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