Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a difficult disease to define, and it’s much more difficult to manage. The condition cannot be cured and if it’s left unchecked it can lead to other problems over time. The good news is that irritable bowel syndrome is neither a lethal nor an unmanageable health condition. Unfortunately, that fact does very little to help when someone is in the middle of an IBS attack.
Unknown to many, the pain experienced by some patients suffering from severe IBS is intense enough for them to lose consciousness. Mothers with one or more children have described that the pain they feel at times crosses the threshold beyond what they experienced in labour. Keeping those facts in mind, here are five IBS management tips that will help readers both prevent and alleviate the severity of the condition.
Prevention: IBS Nutrition Support
There are two main problems related to diet that people with IBS face throughout their lifetime. The first problem is that of regularly consuming known IBS irritants for a long time and thus making things worse for themselves. This continues until they are positively diagnosed with IBS by a physician. The second issue begins after the diagnosis, when they learn that most of their diet consists of food that are likely to trigger an IBS episode.
This can and often does lead to nutrient deficiencies in long time IBS patients. This is why it’s important to get a child checked as soon as any of the known symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are noted. Whether the patient is a child or an adult, a functional approach to treatment, pain management and IBS Nutrition Support is of critical importance post diagnosis. It’s needed to prevent both enteric nervous system aggravation (IBS trigger), as well as malnutrition.
Avoid Large Meals: Eat More Frequently
It’s always a good idea for everyone to avoid eating and drinking to the point of complete fullness, but it is of immense importance for IBS patients to avoid making that mistake. Not only can a bloated, tight stomach become an IBS trigger, but it will also make the following episode feel much worse.
The general rule is that you should eat more frequently to keep up with your energy and nutrient requirements, instead of eating large meals. Understand that even if you get to know your low-FODMAP by heart, a full stomach can trigger an IBS attack due to the pressure the ingested food is likely to exert while going down.
Fast Action: Don’t Ignore the First Twist
IBS attacks can begin and reach their peak within a matter of minutes. However, they generally start with a few characteristic twisting pain and relief motions. It is of the utmost importance that you never ignore that first twist of intestinal pain. Always carry your doctor prescribed smooth muscle relaxant with you and take the prescribed dosage for emergencies as soon as you feel it.
Note that the longer you wait, the more time your meds will take to bring the pain down. Also, waiting may lead to dehydration and gradual weakening of the body to a point where the pain becomes debilitating. If possible, heading for the closest bathroom is also recommended after even the mildest of twists.
While IBS is partly a neurological disorder, it’s one with painful gastroenterological effects. Irritable bowel syndrome originates from the enteric nervous system, but it can both trigger and be triggered by other gastrointestinal diseases unfortunately.