Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome....

...is the name given by doctors to a collection of symptoms such as bloating, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion, heartburn, and sometimes back pains, headaches, chronic fatigue. For the sufferer it a very unpleasant condition which can lead to changes in lifestyle and anxiety over the location of the nearest restroom. Anybody suffering with these symptoms should certainly consult their doctor to rule out anything more serious, but after that there are steps that can be taken to help ease your symptoms.

Probiotics - Commonly known as friendly bacteria. Billions of them populate your gut; they help to digest certain nutrients, destroy bacteria, create B vitamins, ease constipation and reduce bloating. Not having enough of them can lead to all manner of digestive problems. Consuming certain yogurts and fermented drinks is advertised as a useful answer, however the amounts of bacteria contained in some of the popular yogurts are often not sufficient to have an adequate effect on your symptoms, so a capsule is a better option. The capsule also does not contain sugar and milk, which can actually aggravate some peoples symptoms.

Food - Certain foods can cause problems with some people. You could try cutting down on wheat or dairy for a couple of weeks and see if it eases your symptoms. You can also try keeping a food and symptom diary to notice if you are feeling worse after any particular meal on a regular basis.

Digestive Enzymes - Being unable to effectively digest a food can cause bloating and possibly diarrhoea. Digestive enzymes taken in supplement form can assist your body in the breakdown of food, allowing you to benefit by absorbing more nutrients and a reduction in symptoms.