Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a chronic problem that affects many people and causes a feeling of disorder in the large intestine.
According to a Mayo Clinic report, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include abdominal pain, cramps, or bloating, excess gas, diarrhoea or constipation, as bouts of diarrhoea and constipation may alternate.
Causes of irritable bowel syndrome
Muscle contractions in the intestine: it is a stronger contraction that lasts longer than usual and causes gas, bloating, and diarrhoea.
Nervous system: Abnormalities of the nerves in the digestive system can lead to a feeling of more discomfort than normal when the abdomen is stretched due to gas or stool. Signals with poor coordination between the brain and the intestine can cause the body to overreact to changes that occur naturally in the process of digestion which leads to pain.
Severe infection: Irritable bowel syndrome can arise after gastritis caused by bacteria or a virus.
Psychological stress: Most people with irritable bowel syndrome experience the worst signs and symptoms of this condition or frequent recurrence during periods of increased psychological stress.
What to do?
Avoid the types of food that trigger symptoms, eat food rich in fibre, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.
Exclude the following foods from your diet
Foods that cause gas: if you suffer from bloating or gas, you should avoid some types of food such as caffeinated drinks, raw fruits, and some types of vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Simple changes that can be introduced into the diet and lifestyle give relief from irritable bowel syndrome.
Dietary fibre helps reduce constipation but it can also worsen gas and cramps if ingested in large quantities, so try increasing the amount of fibre in your diet gradually over a period of weeks. Whole foods, fruits, vegetables, beans, and fibre supplements may cause less gas and bloat compared to foods rich in dietary fibre.
Remember to eat at regular times, do not miss meals, and try to eat at about the same time every day to help regulate bowel function.
Exercising not only helps relieve depression and psychological stress but also stimulates natural contractions in the intestine.
Finally, peppermint is a natural anti-spasmodic that relaxes the intestine muscles and may provide short-term relief from IBS.
