Anyone can experience digestive upset from worry or
anxiety. But if you have irritable bowel syndrome, stress-related problems
such as abdominal pain and diarrhea tend to occur with greater frequency
and intensity. Finding ways to deal with stress may be helpful in preventing
or alleviating symptoms:
- Counseling. In some cases, a psychologist or psychiatrist can help
you learn to reduce stress by looking at how you respond to events
and then working with you to modify or change that response.
- Biofeedback. This stress-reduction technique helps you reduce muscle
tension and slow your heart rate with the feedback help of a machine.
You're then taught how to produce these changes yourself. The goal
is to help you enter a relaxed state so that you can cope more easily
with stress.
- Regular exercise, yoga, massage or meditation. These can all be
effective ways to relieve stress. You can take classes in yoga and
meditation or practice at home using books or videos.
- Progressive relaxation exercises. These help you relax muscles
in your body, one by one. Start by tightening the muscles in your
feet, then concentrate on slowly letting all of the tension go. Next,
tighten and relax your calves. Continue until the muscles in your
body, including those in your eyes and scalp, are relaxed.
- Deep breathing. Most adults breathe from their chests. But you
become calmer when you breathe from your diaphragm, the muscle that
separates your chest from your abdomen. When you inhale, allow your
belly to expand. When you exhale, your belly naturally contracts.
Deep breathing can also help relax your abdominal muscles, which may
lead to more-normal bowel activity.
- Hypnosis. Hypnosis may reduce abdominal pain and bloating. A trained
professional teaches you how to enter a relaxed state and then guides
you in relaxing your abdominal muscles.
- Other techniques. Set aside at least 20 minutes a day for any activity
you find relaxing — listening to music, reading, playing computer
games or just soaking in a warm bath.
Self-care
In many cases, simple changes in your diet and lifestyle can provide relief
from irritable bowel syndrome. Although your body may not respond immediately
to these changes, your goal is to find long-term, not temporary, solutions:
- Experiment with fiber. When you have irritable bowel syndrome,
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 amount of fiber in your diet over a period of weeks.
Examples of foods that contain fiber are whole grains, fruits, vegetables
and beans. If your signs and symptoms remain the same or worse, tell
your doctor. You may also want to talk to a dietitian. Some people
do better limiting dietary fiber and instead take a fiber supplement
that causes less gas and bloating. If you take a fiber supplement,
such Metamucil or Citrucel, be sure to introduce it gradually and
drink plenty of water every day to minimize gas, bloating and constipation.
If you find that taking fiber helps your IBS, use it on a regular
basis for best results.
- 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 for you, foods that might make symptoms
worse include beans, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. Fatty foods
may also be a problem for some people. Chewing gum or drinking through
a straw can lead to air swallowing, causing more gas.
- Eat at regular times. Don't skip meals, and try to eat about the
same time each day to help regulate bowel function. If you have diarrhea,
you may find that eating small, frequent meals makes you feel better.
But if you're constipated, eating larger amounts of high-fiber foods
may help move food through your intestines.
- Take care with dairy products. If you're lactose intolerant, try
substituting yogurt for milk. Or use an enzyme product, such as Lactaid,
to help break down lactose. Consuming small amounts of milk products
or combining them with other foods also may help. In some cases, though,
you may need to eliminate dairy foods completely. If so, be sure to
get enough protein, calcium and B vitamins from other sources.
- Drink plenty of liquids. Try to drink plenty of fluids every day.
Water is best. Alcohol and beverages that contain caffeine stimulate
your intestines and can make diarrhea worse, and carbonated drinks
can produce gas.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise helps relieve depression and stress,
stimulates normal contractions of your intestines and can help you
feel better about yourself. If you've been inactive, start slowly
and gradually increase the amount of time you exercise. If you have
other medical problems, check with your doctor before starting an
exercise program.
- Use anti-diarrheal medications and laxatives with caution. If you
try over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications, such as Imodium or
Kaopectate, use the lowest dose that helps. In the long run, these
medications can cause problems if you don't use them appropriately.
The same is true of laxatives. If you have any questions about them,
check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Coping skills
Living with irritable bowel syndrome presents daily challenges. It may
be painful or embarrassing and can seriously affect the quality of your
life. These suggestions may help you cope more easily:
- Learn as much about IBS as you can. Talk to your doctor, look for
information on the Internet from reputable sources such as the National
Institutes of Health, and read books and pamphlets. Being informed
about your condition can help you take better charge of it.
- Identify the factors that trigger IBS. This is a key step both
in managing your condition and in helping you feel you have control
of your life.
- Seek out others with IBS. Talking to people who know what you're
going through can be reassuring. Try Internet chat rooms or IBS support
groups in your community. Your doctor may be able to refer you to
a support group, or you may find one through your local paper or on
Internet sites.
Complementary and alternative medicine
The following nontraditional therapies may help relieve symptoms of irritable
bowel syndrome:
- Acupuncture. Although study results on the effects of acupuncture
on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome have been mixed, some people
use acupuncture to help relax muscle spasms and improve bowel function.
- Herbs. Peppermint is a natural antispasmodic that relaxes smooth
muscles in the intestines. Study results haven't been consistently
encouraging, but if you'd like to try peppermint be sure to use enteric-coated
capsules. Peppermint may aggravate heartburn. Before taking any herbs,
check with your doctor to be sure they won't interact or interfere
with other medications you may be taking.
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- Probiotics. Probiotics are "good" bacteria that normally
live in your intestines and are found in certain foods, such as yogurt,
and in dietary supplements. It's been suggested that people with irritable
bowel syndrome may not have enough good bacteria, and that adding
probiotics to your diet may help ease your symptoms. Some studies
have shown that probiotics can decrease problems caused by IBS. Not
all studies on probiotics have had positive results, however.
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