If you’re one of the millions of Americans suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding relief can be a challenge. There are a variety of treatments available, but not all of them work for everyone. And even if you find a treatment that helps, symptoms can come and go, making it hard to get and stay symptom-free. The good news is that you can take steps to ease your symptoms and get your life back on track. With the correct information and support, you can find your relief. In this article, we look at some ways you can relieve symptoms associated with IBS. If you do not notice any improvement, you need to schedule an appointment with a Cypress irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) specialist.
Manage Your Stress Levels
One of the first things you can do to ease your symptoms is manage your stress levels. Stress can worsen IBS symptoms, so it’s crucial to find ways to relax and de-stress. Consider trying relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. You might also want to try therapy or counseling to help you manage your stress.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise can also help relieve IBS symptoms. It can help reduce stress, but it can also help promote regular bowel movements. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. This could include walking, biking, or swimming. However, talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program if you have IBS.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Another critical step in relieving IBS symptoms is to eat a healthy diet. This means eating plenty of fiber and avoiding foods that trigger your symptoms. Fiber can help regulate bowel movements, while trigger foods can vary from person to person. Common trigger foods include dairy, gluten, fatty foods, and caffeine. Keep track of the foods you eat and how they make you feel to help you identify your triggers.
Avoid Large Meals
Eating large meals can also trigger IBS symptoms. To help prevent this, aim to eat several small meals throughout the day rather than three large ones. This will help your digestive system to handle foods more easily.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Dehydration can make IBS symptoms worse. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day and more if you exercise or live in a warm climate. You should also avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and caffeine as they can increase dehydration.
Get Enough Sleep
Insufficient sleep is one of the most common triggers of IBS symptoms. Ideally, you need to get at least eight hours of sleep each night. To help you get a good night’s sleep, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, avoid using electronic devices before bed, and avoid eating large meals late at night.
To summarize, there are several things you can do to relieve IBS symptoms. Some of the most important include managing your stress levels, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, avoiding large meals, and drinking plenty of fluids. Get enough sleep each night and keep track of the foods you eat to help identify your triggers. If you do not see any improvement, schedule an appointment with an irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) specialist.
