Page 113 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: CHEST AND ABDOMINAL PROBLEMS 111

Irritable bowel syndrome

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) vary. The most common are bloating, abdominal pain, and
cramps, which ease after you pass gas or a bowel motion. You may have loose stools or constipation, or
alternate between the two; notice mucus in your stools; and have the feeling that your bowel has not emptied
after a bowel movement. You may feel full more quickly than normal during meals. Other symptoms include
nausea, back pain, frequent urination, and headaches. Although symptoms are intermittent, IBS may last for
years. The cause is not known, but sensitivity to certain foods, bowel infection, and stress can trigger attacks.
See also Stress, pp.20–21; Bloating and flatulence, p.108; Constipation, p.115; Diarrhea, p.116.

See your doctor first
NATURAL REMEDIES
Make an appointment to see your doctor if you
think you have IBS. Other causes need to be Peppermint oil (see p.188) works by
ruled out, because symptoms of IBS are similar relaxing the bowel muscle, helping to relieve
to those of more serious bowel conditions. abdominal pain and bloating.

What you can do yourself DRUG REMEDIES

Try the following changes to your diet and lifestyle Fiber supplements (see LAXATIVES, p.185)
to see what works best for you.
contain fiber derived from plants. They can help if you
● Keep a food diary for 2 or 3 weeks to identify are prone to constipation and are finding it difficult
any triggers. Common triggers for IBS include dairy to include extra fiber in your diet.
products, wheat, citrus fruits, alcohol, and coffee. Consult your doctor before
taking fiber supplements.
● Eat and drink slowly, and chew food thoroughly.
Antidiarrheal drugs
It may help to eat several small meals a day.
(see p.178) containing
● If constipation is a problem, gradually add more loperamide can be used to help
fiber to your diet, such as cereals, whole-grain bread, control diarrhea for a limited
brown rice, beans, fruit, and vegetables. Avoid time, such as during a long
car trip. Take the lowest
unprocessed bran since it can make symptoms worse.
Try fiber supplements (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). Taking fiber
supplements
● If you have diarrhea, cut down on tea, coffee, cola,
Mix the fiber supplement
alcohol, and oily foods, and stop smoking. Drink in half a glass of water
6–8 glasses of water a day; no carbonated drinks. and drink it immediately.
● If you are troubled by abdominal pain or bloating,
try peppermint oil (see NATURAL REMEDIES, right).
● Walk, cycle, or swim for 20–30 minutes a day Seek further medical advice
to help reduce stress and regulate the bowels.
Arrange to see your doctor if:
● If stress triggers IBS, practice exercises to help
you relax (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES, pp.20–21). ● Your symptoms worsen or do not subside
after 2 weeks of following the self-help
● If lifestyle changes don’t help diarrhea, try
measures given on this page
antidiarrheal drugs (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
● You develop new symptoms