Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition characterised by a combination of symptoms, including abdominal pain, constipation and/or diarrhoea, flatulence, bloating in the colon and nausea. Sufferers find that their lives can be dominated by their condition and often feel that there is no solution.
Thankfully however, there are natural ways to relieve IBS by making dietary changes and through the use of natural remedies.
Making dietary alterations is the fundamental strategy to employ when trying to relieve IBS symptoms. Many people find that keeping a food diary is a useful tool as they can discover which foods, or combination of foods may be triggering their symptoms. Foods that are typically problematic for IBS sufferers include wheat and other gluten-containing grains, fructose and other sugars, dairy products and pulses. If these foods are restricted, it is really important to replace them with nutritious alternatives.
Digestive enzymes, probiotics, essential fatty acids and herbs such as peppermint and ginger have also been shown to be beneficial in the management of IBS. Caricol®, which is made of 100% papaya, can also help regulate digestion, helping both constipation and diarrhoea. As each IBS sufferer is unique, they need to tailor these recommendations to suit their individual situation.
Using natural supplements may offer relief to IBS sufferers:
*Digestive Enzymes
- Probiotics
- Ginger
- Essential fatty acids
- Psyllium husk fibre
- Caricol.