Irritable bowel syndrome:
How to cope
You may have heard of the terms
“spastic colon” or “nervous
bowel.” But the real name of
this common problem — which affects
up to three out of ten people at some
time in their lives — is irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS).
“People with IBS usually suffer from frequent bouts of constipation or diarrhea, or alternate between the two, for three months or more,” explains Dr. Aaron Greenspan, a gastroenterologist in the Endoscopy Center at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center. “The condition can be chronic.”
Other symptoms include: abdominal cramps, bloating, gas and bowel movements with mucus.
“In people with IBS, the intestines, or bowels, do not work normally,” Dr. Greenspan says. “Sometimes, their intestines may work too quickly or forcefully. Other times, the intestines may be too weak or slow. This may be caused by sensitivity to food and stress.”
Help for IBS
If you have IBS, you can ease and prevent symptoms. Dr. Greenspan suggests these tips:- Some foods can cause diarrhea. “If dairy products bother you, your body may have trouble digesting lactose, the sugar in milk,” says Dr. Greenspan. “Talk to your doctor if this is a problem. Try keeping a food journal for a few weeks to determine which foods you may need to remove from your diet.”
- Pick more fiber-rich whole grains, fruits and vegetables. But ask your doctor before taking a fiber supplement.
- Eat small, frequent meals.
- Don’t smoke.
- Engage in regular exercise.
- Be patient. “It may take more than six months for symptoms to fade,” Dr. Greenspan says. “If necessary, your doctor may prescribe medicines to help your intestines work more normally.”
