The Mayo Clinic defines Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as a common disorder affecting the large intestine. It often causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. Unlike other bowel syndromes like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, IBS does not cause inflammation or changes in bowel tissue. IBS is generally just an uncomfortable ailment. Even though IBS is not a life-threatening condition, it can make life difficult at times. There are may ways to relieve the symptoms of IBS to limit the impact it has on your daily life.
Step 1
Keep track of foods that appear to trigger your IBS symptoms and omit them from your diet. Some people may find that spicy, greasy or fatty foods are the cause of their ailment. Prevention is a common focus of IBS treatment.
Step 2
Add a fiber supplement to your diet. Fiber supplements can be helpful to people who have both diarrhea and constipation symptoms of IBS. The fiber supplement can help pass hard stools but it can also firm up overly soft stools. It is important to consume adequate fluids when using fiber supplements as they draw the water out of the body in order to help pass stools. This can lead to both dehydration and constipation.
Step 3
Take an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication. These come in pill, liquid and chewable tablet form. Take the medication immediately following the first episode of diarrhea. Repeat the dose again if another episode occurs. Do not use these products daily without the advice of a health care provider.
Step 4
Consult your physician about taking prescription antispasmodics. These medications act to reduce the severity of cramps by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.
Step 5
Add a probiotic yogurt product to your diet. One daily serving is thought to help relieve IBS symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, probiotics may suppress low-grade inflammation or restore normal immune function.
Step 6
Because IBS often irritates hemorrhoids, take a pain reliever to soothe painful hemorrhoids. Over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams and pads can also relieve the burning, itching and soreness.
Tips and Warnings
- Reduce stress and increase exercise to relieve IBS symptoms. Anti-depressants and counseling are commonly recommended IBS prevention methods.
Things You'll Need
- Fiber supplement
- Anti-diarrheal medication
- Probiotic yogurt product
- Pain reliever
- Hemorrhoid cream
- Hemorrhoid pads
