Move Those Feet!

April is IBS Awareness Month

According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, April is IBS Awareness Month.  From their Web site, www.aboutibs.org,  ”In an effort to bring attention to the symptoms and difficulties associated with irritable bowel syndrome, IFFGD has designated April as IBS Awareness Month. Beginning with the first IBS Awareness Month in April 1997, and every subsequent year, we work to focus attention on important health messages about IBS diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life issues. IBS Awareness Month is listed on the U.S. National Health Observances calendar.” If you suffer with IBS, it’s important to know that you are not alone.  IBS affects between 25 and 45 million people in the United States alone. Approximately 60% of IBS sufferers are female; 40% are male. IBS affects people of all ages, even children. 

So if you suffer from IBS, or suspect that you do, what can you do about it? The first and most important thing is to see your doctor.  IBS can only be diagnosed by a medical professional. Beyond that, the methods to treat IBS vary with the severity and recurrence of symptoms.  It is important to note that IBS is a chronic condition with intermittent and variable symptoms.  In less severe cases, these symptoms are usually manageable with changes to a healthier lifestyle, or dietary changes such as eliminating symptom-influencing foods. Keeping a food diary can help identify these factors. Stress and pain management techniques may help you cope as well. For more severe cases, consider consulting with your doctor about the use of drug therapy.

When considering dietary changes, you may want to make note of a few foods that are naturally soothing to the digestive system:

• Lemons aid digestion by breaking down some of the tough components of meat, and can also help to relieve bloating and heartburn. They also provide a slightly antibacterial effect, reducing the risk of discomfort in the intestines.

• Prunes are not only a natural remedy for constipation, but can also slow the movement of food from the stomach if it is emptying too quickly. They also feed the good bacteria in the intestine, helping to prevent harmful bacteria breeding.

• Apples are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which help food progress through the digestive system at a healthy pace. The pectin contained in apples also regulates the speed of digestion, slowing it down or speeding it up as necessary.

• Artichokes are specifically known to help relieve the symptoms of IBS. They stimulate the flow of bile, a substance that helps to digest fat and encourages healthy movement of the intestine.

• Peppermint, whether fresh or in candy, can relieve digestive upsets fast. It soothes indigestion, kills bacteria, and regulates intestinal movement. Its ability to stop muscle spasm makes it a useful remedy for IBS.

• Yogurt promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. Probiotic yogurts, currently all the rage, help even more by having the starter culture still alive.

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