Too many people suffer day-in and day-out with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) for one very poor reason: They do not want to discuss topics like the colon, constipation, diarrhea, or gas. There is a cultural taboo about discussing such private matters, and so people are reluctant to bring the subject up, sometimes even with their health professionals. They suffer through bouts of IBS, wondering if they will ever be able to enjoy a meal or a social event without worrying about or experiencing digestive problems. Unfortunately, many IBS sufferers have used antibiotics for a long time, in the belief that it would cure whatever was causing the problem, but instead were making the condition worse by killing intestinal bacteria.
Drugs are seldom the answer to IBS for one simple reason – health professionals do not know the specific source of IBS, so drugs could not be developed to target a specific issue. As a result, the drugs currently used are ineffective. A much better solution is treating IBS with a natural holistic approach because everything in the body is related. In fact, there are a number of natural treatments that extend to dietary changes, supplementation, psychological treatments, muscle relaxation techniques, exercise, herbal treatments, and homeopathic dosages.
The complexity of IBS is such that there is no single natural treatment recommended. The ideal treatment program is a blend of alternative foods and dietary exclusions, activities and choices that promote a healthy colon. The ideal treatment program is unique to each person because each person experiences a different set of symptoms. The specific symptoms must be addressed in order to achieve the maximum benefits.
Dietary Changes – Food can trigger IBS symptoms, so it is necessary to determine which foods or ingredients are causing the problems. One way to narrow the list of potential offenders is to keep a food journal to detect a pattern of items you consume followed by an occurrence of symptoms. You can then begin to eliminate those foods and replace them with foods high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Lifestyle Changes – Food management is not the only effective IBS management. Perhaps surprisingly to many people is the fact that there appears to be a link between depression and stress and IBS. Stress impacts the entire body so you want to address the entire body, which means potentially including various psychological treatments.
Other lifestyle changes include learning and practicing relaxation techniques for the mind and the body. Exercise will also play an important role in IBS treatment programs. Learning to manage stress and ease the tension in the body will promote healthy digestion.
Supplementation and Homeopathy – It is a well known fact that many herbs and homeopathic doses can treat many human diseases. IBS is no different. There are herbs that soothe the stomach and intestines, promote the production of gastric juices, and relax muscles. Homeopathic remedies can also promote a healthy digestive system, but are particularly useful for easing pain and digestive upset when IBS rages.
The specific treatment program depends on your specific symptoms. In the ebook The IBS Miracle™ - How To Free Your Life From Irritable Bowel Syndrome by James Walden, a nutritionist, biomedical researcher and health consultant, you can find detailed explanations of the known natural treatments that can ease IBS symptoms. Even more importantly, it is possible to develop a treatment program that will greatly reduce the chances of experiencing IBS flare-ups in the first place. That is the ultimate prize – good health and the freedom it gives you to live life the way you choose, unrestricted by IBS.