Because irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, can manifest itself in psychological as well as physical ways, a holistic approach may help to treat this chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Holistic eating plans include guidelines for treating the whole individual, taking psychosocial, mental and spiritual needs into account as well as nutritional requirements. Proponents of holistic nutrition may also use complementary therapies to relieve the gastric discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, depression or anxiety of IBS.
Condition
IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, meaning that it has no obvious physical cause. Although people with IBS share certain symptoms, such as irregular muscle spasms in the colon, a heightened sensitivity to certain foods, gastrointestinal discomfort and altered bowel patterns, symptoms and food reactions differ from one individual to another. In addition to abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, IBS symptoms often include anxiety, depression or a tendency to manifest stress in physical ways, a process called somatization. From a holistic standpoint, addressing any disease or disorder that affects your health requires a multi-faceted approach. Developing your own holistic eating plan for IBS might involve a group of professionals, including your doctor, a dietitian, a mental health counselor and a spiritual adviser.
Holistic Approach
A holistic eating plan for IBS may integrate dietary recommendations with relaxation techniques, herbal therapy or acupuncture, depending on your symptoms. Modifications in your food choices, eating habits, exercise patterns, social activities and spiritual pursuits may help to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms and improve your overall wellness. The goals of a holistic IBS diet are to reduce pain, regulate bowel patterns and provide a balanced variety of foods that you can enjoy without discomfort. As part of a holistic approach to eating, keep a journal of your physical reactions to foods, your mental or emotional state when eating and your stress levels throughout the day. Monitoring your psychological as well as physical reactions may help you form an inclusive picture of your symptoms and identify nutritious foods that you can digest comfortably.
Dietary Modifications
Avoiding foods or beverages that trigger flare-ups of IBS may be the first step in reducing your symptoms. Alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, sugar-free sweeteners, high-fiber foods, wheat, milk and other lactose-containing foods aggravate symptoms in many people with IBS, Mayo Clinic notes. To reduce abdominal pain and regulate bowel movements, Mayo Clinic suggests experimenting with different forms of dietary and supplemental fiber. For many people with IBS, insoluble fiber, or roughage, provokes cramping, diarrhea or constipation. Raw vegetables and fruits with skins, seeds, nuts and whole grains are rich in insoluble fiber. Foods that are rich in soluble fiber, a form of plant material that becomes jelly-like in water, may regulate either constipation or diarrhea. Berries, bananas, pears, citrus fruits, oatmeal and beans provide soluble fiber. Eating meals at regularly scheduled times, eating smaller portions and drinking plenty of liquids may also help to restore regular bowel activity. If dietary fiber aggravates your gastrointestinal discomfort, talk with your health-care provider about gentle fiber supplements that may normalize your bowel patterns.
Additional Treatments
Physical exercise and stress reduction techniques may be as important in treating IBS symptoms as dietary modifications, according to Mayo Clinic. Exercise improves your circulation, promotes normal intestinal contractions and may reduce depression or anxiety. Yoga, meditation, massage or guided visualization techniques may improve both physical and psychosocial expressions of IBS. According to the Mayo Clinic, alternative therapies like hypnosis and acupuncture may promote relaxation, reduce bowel spasms and alleviate bloating. Complementary therapies should not replace conventional medical treatment for IBS. Consult your health-care provider about developing a comprehensive treatment plan for your IBS symptoms.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- "Medscape General Medicine"; Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Functional Dyspepsia: Different Diseases or a Single Disorder with Different Manifestations? Laura Noddin, M.D., et al.; August 26, 2005
- American Cancer Society: Holistic Medicine
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Fiber
- AboutIBS.org: Dietary Fiber
