IBS sufferers know only too well how their symptoms can take over and have a disruptive effect on their relationships, work and social lives.
However, there is something you can do to take control of your condition. By looking at your diet and lifestyle you may be able to establish some of the circumstances which cause or aggravate your bouts of IBS. This understanding may help you to break that cycle.
It’s not easy, but reducing the amount of stress and anxiety in your daily life can go some way in helping your condition. Relaxation exercises, a more relaxed approach to life, regular meals and trying to eat properly can also help. By rushing or skipping meals it is easy to upset the normal digestive process. When you are not suffering a bout of IBS, eating more fibre, by substituting brown bread for white or by eating a high-fibre breakfast cereal and more fresh fruit, can help some people. This is not recommended if you are experiencing IBS with diarrhoea as one of your main symptoms.
You might find that there are certain Trigger Foods that can set off an IBS attack and so it is well worth working out what these might be. Changing your habits to adopt a more Healthy Lifestyle could also bring relief, as can adopting some form of Stress Management.
Why not have a look at the Recipe section which has some great suggestions for meals which are IBS-friendly. The Diary is there to help you remember what may have led to your last bouts and help you manage your IBS.
