Irritable Bowel Syndrome Home Remedies

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. IBS can be worrisome, painful, and at times embarassing, but it’s not life threatening.

It’s not known what causes IBS, but the condition involves abnormal muscle spasms in the walls of your stomach or intestines. The muscular walls regularly contract and relax to move food through the gastrointestinal tract. If you have IBS, the contractions are much stronger and longer lasting, forcing food through the tract more rapidly.

You’re more likely to have IBS if you are young, female, and have a family history of IBS. Researchers are studying whether this family history relates to a genetic inheritance, to a shared environment or to a combination of both.

Fortunately, irritable bowel syndrome doesn’t cause inflammation or tissue changes, nor does it increase your risk of colorectal cancer¹. Most people discover that signs and symptoms improve as they learn to control the condition through the proper management of diet, lifestyle and stress.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of IBS vary widely, and often resemble those of other diseases. The most common signs and symptoms include abdominal pain or cramping, diarrhea or constipation (sometimes occurring in alternating bouts), bloating, indigestion, gas, and mucus in the stool.

Although bowel movements temporarily relieve pain, you may feel as though you can’t empty your bowels completely. Your stools become thin and ribbon-like, laced with mucus or hard, dry pellets.

Like many people, you may experience only mild signs and symptoms, but for some, these problems are disabling. IBS is generally a a chronic condition, although there are times when the signs and symptoms are worse and other times when they improve or disappear completely.

Triggers

For reasons tat aren’t clear, if you have IBS you may be reacting strongly to certain stimuli that may have little effect on other people. Common triggers for IBS may include:

• Foods. Symptoms may worsen when you eat certain foods, including chocolate, milk, and alcohol. Be aware that if you experience cramping and bloating after eating dairy products, food with caffeine or sugar-free candy, the problem may be an intolerance to sugar (lactose), caffeine or the artificial sweetener sorbitol.
• Stress. Many people with IBS find their symptoms worsen or become more frequent during stressful events, such as changes in the daily routine or during family arguments. However, while stress may aggravate the symptoms, it doesn’t cause them.
• Hormones. Because women are twice as likely to have IBS, researchers believe that hormonal changes play a role in this condition. Many women find their symptoms are worse during or around their menstrual periods.
• Other illness. Sometimes other illnesses, such as an acute episode of infectious diarrhea (gastroenteritis), can trigger IBS.

1. Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum, appendix and depending on the definition used can include those found in the anus as well. [↩]

Simple lifestyle changes may provide some relief from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS):

• Experiment with fiber. Fiber can be a mixed blessing. Although it helps reduce constipation, it can also make gas and cramping worse. The best approach is to gradually increase the fiber in your diet over a period of weeks. Examples of foods that contain fiber are whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans. Some people do better taking a fiber supplement, such as Metamucil or Citrucel, which causes less gas and bloating. Be sure to introduce a supplement gradually and drink plenty of water every day.
• Avoid problem foods. If certain foods make your signs and symptoms worse, don't eat them. Common culprits include alcohol, chocolate, caffeinated beverages such as coffee and sodas, medications that contain caffeine, dairy products, and sugar-free sweeteners such as sorbitol or mannitol. If gas is a problem, foods that may trigger symptoms include beans, cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli. Fatty foods also may be a problem.
• Take care with dairy products. If you're lactose intolerant, try substituting yogurt for milk, or using an enzyme product that breaks down lactose. Consuming milk products in small amounts or combining them with other foods also may help. Some people may need to eliminate dairy completely.
• Eat at regular times. Not skipping meals and eating at about the same each day helps you stay regular. If you have diarrhea, eating small, frequent meals may help ease bouts. If you're constipated, eating high-fiber foods may help move food through your intestines.
• Drink plenty of liquids. Water is best. Caffeinated or carbonated drinks may make symptoms worse.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise stimulates normal intestinal contractions and helps relieve stress. If you've been inactive, start slowly and gradually. If you have medical concerns, check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.
• Try peppermint. In some studies, symptoms of IBS improved significantly among people taking peppermint capsules. In other studies, there was no benefit. Peppermint contains menthol, which is thought to relax stomach muscles and speed passage of food through the stomach.
• Eat yogurt and other probiotics. Probiotics are foods containing "good" bacteria similar to those normally found in your body. Good bacteria help maintain a micro-organic balance in your intestinal tract. Probiotics include yogurt, miso, tempeh, and some juices and soy drinks. They're available in supplement form.

Because symptoms of IBS may mimic those of more serious medical problems, such as cancer, gallbladder disease and ulcers, see your doctor if self-care measures don't help within a couple of weeks. You may need testing if the following occurs: new onset after age 50, weight loss, rectal bleeding, fever, nausea or recurrent vomiting, abdominal pain (especially if it's not completely relieved by bowel movement), and persistent diarrhea.