Millions of people suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), making it one of the most prevalent digestive disorders. Surprisingly, there is no effective medication to treat this bothersome disorder. This is why people rely on natural remedies to treat IBS.
Irritable bowel syndrome usually involves constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. Sufferers tend to go back and forth between having constipation and diarrhea. The only good news is that IBS does not lead to intestinal bleeding or increase the risks of colon cancer. If bleeding occurs, you may have an inflammatory bowel disease, which is much more serious than IBS.
The cause of irritable bowel syndrome is unknown. Diet, daily stress, genes, and personality are all thought to contribute to the syndrome. IBS, therefore, is very much like a personal trait. Some people tend to get frightened easily, while some people just struggle in the bathroom.
Although irritable bowel syndrome is not life-threatening, it is a troublesome condition. People who suffer from IBS often have to coordinate their professional and social lives accordingly. Irregularity in their bowel movements often leads to unpredictable pain, gas, or urges to go to the bathroom during stressful and important situations.
IBS may be incurable, but its symptoms can be treated. While sudden symptoms can be treated with common OTC drugs, chronic use of them should be avoided as they could lead to dependency. The best way to manage the symptoms is through natural treatments.
Natural treatments for IBS usually involve dietary controls and herbs. Some IBS patients are more sensitive to particular food group, such as dairy, fructose, or wheat (gluten). The patient can use trials and errors method to cut certain foods out until the symptoms diminish. Soluble fiber found in bananas, oatmeal, and other produce helps with constipation and diarrhea. However, fiber does not help with bloating and abdominal pain.
On the other hand, herbs and herbal supplements have demonstrated to be useful as natural treatments for IBS. Herbal teas, peppermint, and dill, for example, control many of the IBS symptoms. Supplements extracted from the aloe vera plant have shown to improve the overall intestinal health, making IBS symptoms less frequent and less severe.
