A misunderstood condition: How to manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome effectively
Some conditions are understood and we know how to not only manage them, but also occasionally cure them completely; on the other hand, some are towards the other end of the spectrum, and unfortunately have no cure. Whilst some are a little more unmanageable than others, thankfully there are a myriad of conditions which fall into this category, which can be managed effectively – Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is one of them.
If you are a known sufferer of IBS then you will understand fully the rather debilitating and upsetting symptoms which occur during a bout; on the other hand, you might be experiencing these symptoms but not really understand what is wrong with your body, having a case of undiagnosed IBS. Whichever camp you fall into, help is certainly at hand.
Here at Neurobalance, we are experienced in dealing with the ways to manage IBS, to not only cut down on the frequency of bouts, but also the severity of them too. This is great news for anyone within easy reach of our Brookvale office, where under the watchful and experienced eye of our chiropractor, you can learn about the effective ways to manage this life-long condition.
If you’re not sure if you’re suffering from IBS, but you have a suspicion that you are, you may experience symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, a jump between constipation and diarrhoea, or simply one or the other, a feeling of not completely emptying your bowels, as well as lethargy and excessive flatulence. As you can see, the symptoms are not only upsetting, but also potentially embarrassing for a sufferer too.
The reasons for suffering from IBS are unknown, but it could be hereditary or simply brought on by a period of stress in your life. Once you have the condition, you will find it keeps returning in bouts, either during further periods of stress, or due to a food intolerance. The condition affects more women than men, and is generally noticed around the ages of 20 to 30 years. Stress plays a major role in IBS, so relaxation techniques and exercise are great helps.
Dietary advice is hugely important in the management of IBS, and if it is a certain food which kicks off a bout, then an elimination diet is the first step, usually cutting out dairy first. On top of this, general dietary advice such as increasing water intake, getting more fibre in your diet, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and considering prebiotic supplements, or getting the correct vitamins from foods in your diet, will all help.
Another area we can help with is the case of herbal remedies. It is important to seek proper advice when it comes to this holistic treatment method, however herbal remedies can be very helpful with some cases of IBS, helping to alleviate muscle spasm pain, reduce nervousness which can contribute towards a bout, soothe the digestive tract, help prevent infection and reduce allergic reactions, and also act as a gentle laxative in the case of constipation.
As you can see, there is much to be done to help an IBS sufferer, so if you are at all worried about this condition, don’t hesitate to call the practice now on 02 9938 5456 to arrange an appointment. There is no need to suffer in silence for a second longer.
