Monday, April 9, 2012

Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome – How to Make Your Treatment Plan Part of Your Everyday Routine

When clinicians talk about treating irritable bowel syndrome what they are talking about is in reality a holistic treatment regime that treats body and mind, as it is a mixture of the condition’s effects on the body and the mind that leads to the severity of the symptoms.  For example, the more anxious you feel about your symptoms the more severe they will tend to be.  Patients can end up in a vicious circle of suffering if when treating irritable bowel system the whole of the person is not addressed.

Treatment Options

IBS is the result of an irritation of the colon which will either make it work too well or not enough leading to uncontrollable diarrhoea or chronic constipation.  Treatment is not always provided through pharmaceutical means.  When we look at treating irritable bowel syndrome we need to look at diet and lifestyle as well as stress levels and mood, as all of these factors have an influence of the frequency and severity of symptoms.  Just as poor diet can influence the symptoms so can depression and mood swings.  Whilst depression and anxiety can be treated with medication, it is in treating irritable bowel syndrome on the physical level where the lifestyle changes come in.

Diet and Exercise

Eliminating the foods that are known triggers for IBS can go a long way towards treating irritable bowel syndrome.  Foods that irritate the colon such as dairy products, fatty foods, chocolate and overly spiced foods should be restricted in order for the colon to return to normal function.  Just remember that no food should be totally excluded from your diet without first consulting with your doctor.  With the diet under control and the depression and anxiety taken in hand you have gone a long way towards treating irritable bowel syndrome yourself.


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