Question I have IBS, lately I have been having bad gas, belching and pain in the right back when I breath, along with bloating, and passing gas, just not fun.
I take gas reducing pills but I just don't get alot of relief.
Do you have any suggestions? Thanks.
AnswerHello and thanks for writing,
Principles for Optimal Intestinal Health
Drink at least eight to twelve 8-oz. glasses of clean water per day.
Exercise regularly: Exercise at least 20 minutes, three times per week. Physical activity helps to maintain bowel regularity and reduce stress.
Good nutrition: Eat a high-fiber diet with lots of fresh organic whole fruits and vegetables. Eat bran, or drink prune juice daily. Fiber decreases the transit time of stools, as well as the absorption of toxins from the stool. Bran and prunes are particularly effective in relieving constipation. Take Psyllium or Glucomannan (Capsule). These are natural dietary fiber for promoting regularity and supporting heart health.
Reduce stress in your life. Learn to relax.
Don't overeat.
Identify food allergies and stop eating them.
Stop putting toxins like junk foods, drugs, chemicals into your body.
Avoid unnecessary prescription drugs like antibiotics and steroids which contribute to the demise of good bacteria in our intestine. Always take Pro-biotic [or another natural biotic from a good health food store or Naturopath] during antibiotic therapy and continue for 2 weeks after antibiotic is discontinued.
Avoid stimulants such as caffeine, decaffeinated coffee, alcohol and tobacco which irritate the intestines.
Avoid milk and milk products if you have lactose intolerance.
IBS is a common disorder affecting 10 to 20 percent of adults. It's a combination of symptoms that may include constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, fatigue, and headaches that can be worsened by certain foods, stress, and/or other irritants. Conventional medicine offers little effective treatment for IBS. Conventional treatments include antispasmodic drugs to slow the function of the gastrointestinal tract, but these drugs aren't very effective and can cause significant side effects. Some doctors also prescribe antidepressants and potentially habit-forming tranquilizers, a practice which I discourage. The latest drug for IBS, Lotronex, was pulled off the market after several people taking this drug died, and many others experienced serious complications from reduced blood flow to the intestine (ischemic colitis) that required blood transfusion or surgery.
Natural approach to IBS
Follow the "Principles for Optimal Intestinal Health"
Too much food in a single meal can set off IBS symptoms. Eat small, frequent meals when possible.
Avoid non-nutritive sweeteners such as Sorbitol and xylitol which can exacerbate diarrhea in people with IBS.
Take Pro-biotic with meals daily, These "friendly" bacteria can stabilize the intestine. Many cases of gas are related to disordered flora in the bowel. Pro-biotic will help establish normal bowel flora.
Take carob powder for diarrhea: Used occasionally, a tablespoonful of carob powder (mixed with apple sauce and honey) can sooth irritated intestines.
Learn to relax: Relaxing Breathig, biofeedback, yoga, hypnosis or meditation help reduce the stress in your life and help relieving symptoms of IBS.
Acupuncture: This seems to help relieve bloating.
Peppermint oil: It could lead to significant improvement in IBS. Take one or two Enteric-coated capsules three times a day 15 to 30 minutes before meals.
Slippery elm: Slippery elm twice a day can heal irritated digestive tract tissues.
Gas
Many cases of gas are related to disordered bacterial flora in the bowel. Pro-biotic will help establish normal bowel flora. For those people who experienced more gas when they tried to eat more fibers, they should use Super Colon Cleanse [speak to your physician first of course] for 4 days and take Pro-biotic on a regular basis.
Hope this helps,
Margot
