1. Know Your IBS Trigger Foods
The most important thing you can do to cope with irritable bowel syndrome is to identify your trigger foods. The foods that cause an irritable bowel syndrome attack vary from person to person. Some of the most common trigger foods are spicy food, chocolate, fried foods and dairy products. In some cases, fibrous foods may trigger an attack. Once you identify your trigger foods, you can make dietary adjustments to avoid these foods.
2. In Case of an Emergency
Accidents happen when you have irritable bowel syndrome. You can prepare for accidents in advance by carrying an IBS emergency kit. Your IBS emergency kit will help you to clean up after an accident. This kit should include a change of underwear, baby wipes, a Ziploc bag for soiled underwear, deodorant spray and anti-diarrhea medicine. This kit won't take up much room if you get a trial size bottle of deodorant spray and keep about 10 baby wipes in the Ziploc bag. Women can easily fit these items in a purse. Men can consider carrying a briefcase or book bag.
3. Always be Prepared
Take control of your irritable bowel syndrome. Don't let it control you. You can have a normal life with irritable bowel syndrome. When you go on outings, find out where the bathroom is located as soon as you can. At restaurants, you can ask to sit near the bathroom. At stores, ask the first employee you see to direct you to the restroom. If you are planning a day of shopping or travel, you may want to consider wearing adult incontinence briefs or sanitary pads. Easily remove these if you have an accident.
4. Get Support
When you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, you may want to talk about your experiences and try to find new solutions to some of your limitations. If this is the case, consider contacting your doctor or local hospital to find out about support groups for people with gastrointestinal diseases. There are some support groups on the Internet if you aren't comfortable talking about your condition in person. The best way for people with irritable bowel syndrome to find new ways to cope with this condition is to get together and discuss the ways that they cope with attacks and lifestyle changes.
5. Working With IBS
Working with IBS is a problem for some people, especially when they work outside of the house. Alleviate this problem by talking to your boss about your condition. Bring a doctor's statement that shows you have irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, you should bring some printed information about the symptoms and problems caused by IBS. This is often all necessary to get your employer to make necessary adjustments to accommodate you. Just make sure that you don't take advantage of your condition.
