Lifestyle Changes to Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) use medications to manage their symptoms. These usually work well, but it is highly recommended to make some modifications to your lifestyle so that you can get the best possible result from treatment. In many cases, people feel much better and experience only mild symptoms much less frequently just with basic home treatment. This is certainly the better option if it works effectively for you, as there are no side effects and possible health risks involved.

Diet changes can help you cope with most of the major irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Increasing the amount of fiber which you consume should provide you with long-term relief from constipation. It will help you have regular bowel movements and pass stools easily. Fiber is found in a variety of foods which you should include in your diet. Whole grain foods, beans, vegetables such as green peas and spinach and fruits like apples, pears and raspberries are all excellent sources of fiber.

Avoiding foods which may irritate the bowel and make symptoms of IBS worse is essential. Usually, symptoms are flared up by the consumption of milk, chocolate, beverages with caffeine, soft drinks and alcohol. Individuals with IBS that have very mild celiac disease may experience worsening of the symptoms when they consume foods containing gluten such as wheat, barley and rye.

Foods containing probiotics may help relieve all of the main symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Probiotics are good bacteria which help improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. These are most abundantly found in yogurt. Other dairy products such as soft cheese and kefir are also good sources of these beneficial bacteria.

Having smaller meals helps a lot of people with irritable bowel syndrome feel much better. This slight modification of your lifestyle should help you get considerable relief from bloating. You should experience the need to pass stools much less frequently if you have diarrhea. You will have easier bowel movements if you experience constipation.

Drinking a lot of water, preferably six to eight glasses a day, is recommended for patients with IBS. If you have diarrhea, this will help prevent dehydration. Drinking plenty of water should increase the amount of fluid in the colon and help you pass stools more easily if you experience constipation.

Do exercise to stimulate digestion and to prevent bloating and constipation which are common for irritable bowel syndrome. You will experience the beneficial effects of having a walk right after a meal quite quickly. In general, you should do as much aerobic exercise as possible. This may even help improve abdominal cramping and make its occurrence less frequent.