Posts Tagged ‘Guide’

An Eating Guide To Irritable Bowel Syndrome

One in five Northern Americans has irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which makes it one of the most common disorders diagnosed today. Irritable bowel syndrome usually hits the person around age 20 and is more common among women than in men.

Irritable bowel syndrome is actually a disease, although doctors consider it a functional disorder. However, even though the syndrome can cause considerable pain and discomfort, it does not actually damage the digestive system.

Irritable bowel syndrome disturbs the normal functions of the colon, particularly how the muscles in the intestines work, causing a lot of embarrassment and pain. Irritable bowel syndrome does not cause internal bleeding, but may worsen a medical condition if you already have one.

No one really knows why certain people develop IBS. Researchers believe that people with Irritable bowel syndrome have sensitive colons that react to aggravating foods and certain emotional conditions, most commonly, to stress, conflict, or upsets. Antidepressants are often used to relieve stress-related irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Some doctors link colon sensitivity to weak immune systems.

No cure has been found yet for irritable bowel syndrome. Your doctor might prescribe fiber supplements or occasional laxatives to ease constipation, as well as medicines to help with diarrhea, or drugs that calm down abdominal pain, but careful eating is the most important step in reducing irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Many irritable bowel syndrome sufferers can successfully control their symptoms with simple diet changes. Quite often, when you increase your fiber intake, Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms are relieved.

Eating more fiber can be easier than you think. Whole grain breads and cereals, fruits, and vegetables are both delicious and rich in healthy fiber. Fiber-rich diet results in regular bowel movements and better colon cleansing. However, fiber will make you feel worse if you have pain or diarrhea because high-fiber diets may cause some discomfort at first, but do not panic. You simply need a few days to adjust to the new diet. Positive changes take time if your colon is more irritated than normally.

When starting fiber-rich diet, stick to plain foods like white rice, plain unflavored oatmeal, rice cereal, pasta, peeled potatoes. Incorporate insoluble fibers carefully by blending fresh fruit with soy or rice milk making delicious and nutritious cocktails. You can always add vegetables into soups or pasta sauces. Grilled, not fried, fish filet or low-fat chicken breast goes well with your pasta or rice. Eat fruits and vegetables as much as possible. To increase fiber intake, drink psyllium or flaxseed dissolved in water, such as Citrucel or Metamucil.

In general, try eating foods that are low in fat and high in carbohydrates, such as whole grain pasta and breads, unprocessed (not quick-cooking) rice and cereals. Avoid food that is high in fat, insoluble fiber, caffeine, coffee, carbonation, or alcohol.

When relieving irritable bowel syndrome symptoms through dietary means, you should keep your water intake at a maximum. Water prevents dehydration, especially if you have diarrhea. Drink plain water. Carbonated drinks, such as sodas, may result in increased levels of gas and cause pain in the abdomen.

Irritable bowel syndrome may require you to change the way you eat your meals. Big portions of food can cause cramping and diarrhea. To prevent these occurrences eat smaller portions and plan your meals so that you eat more frequently. Less food requires less effort from your bowels, so the message is to eat little and often.

When following these simple diet guidelines people can start living a normal, happy, outgoing life. Diarrhea and pain should reduce in just a few days. Constipation, however, can take several weeks to relieve, but it is worth persevering. Besides, you will look and feel healthier, too!

Want to find out about grape diet, hypoallergenic dog food and other information? Get tips from the Health And Nutrition Tips website.

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome – A Comprehensive Guide!

If you have been having chronic abdominal pain, bloating and experiencing cramps, some degree of discomfort, or if you notice unexplained changes in your bowel habits, you might have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

IBS is a functional disorder affecting the digestive tract. In other words, your digestive system is not working as it should. Also known as spastic colitis, mucous colitis and spastic colon, IBS includes different kinds of diseases that are characterized by gastro-intestinal discomfort.

According to Dr. Jay Marks at Medicine.Net, IBS affects around 15% of all Americans. Thus, IBS is actually a common disorder. As it is, symptoms vary from person to person. Aside from the common symptoms described above, other symptoms of IBS may include

• constipation, or having infrequent or difficult to pass bowel movements;
• cramping, especially when suffering from constipation;
• detecting the presence of mucus in the stools
• diarrhea, or having frequent and sometimes uncontrollable bowel movement.

Some people have constipation alternating with diarrhea. There are people who suffer from IBS who find relief and then find the symptoms recurring after a few months. Still others find their symptoms getting worse as time passes.

Most people do not seek medical help and thus do not know they have IBS because these syndrome spans a long time and the symptoms are fairly common. If you experience these symptoms, go to your doctor. Your doctor will be looking at your symptoms and compare them to the Rome criteria. He or she might also order some specific tests to accurately diagnose if you have IBS or not. Aside from these, your doctor might also order lower gastrointestinal series tests (using x-rays to determine problems in your large intestines) or a colonoscopy (viewing the insides of your colon through a colonoscope).

There are no specific causes pinpointed for these syndromes. One prevailing thought is that those who suffer from IBS have large intestines or colons that are reactive and sensitive to certain stressors or food. A weak immune system has also been thought to be a cause of IBS. While the exact cause has not yet been fully understood, doctors have found that people suffering from anxiety, stress and depression often have a high predisposition towards IBS. Either that or these conditions aggravate an already existing IBS.

Further, doctors often advise IBS sufferers to watch what they eat and how they live. Eating habits and lifestyle influence bowel movement. Too much fat or too little fiber in the diet, smoking, drinking alcohol and caffeine might trigger IBS.

The not-so-good news is there are currently no immediate treatments available for irritable bowel syndrome, but there are things a sufferer could do to alleviate the symptoms.

• Changing the diet. People with constipation are advised to add more fiber in their diets. Generally, IBS sufferers are told to avoid lactose, fats and fructose. Some are also told to monitor to see if they are allergic to certain foods and to avoid these.

• Taking medicines. Depending on the symptoms present, a person suffering from irritable bowel syndrome may be prescribed antispasmodics, laxatives, serotonin agonists, and serotonin antagonists.

• Avoiding stress. Relax and it might relieve you of your symptoms. Because stress has been known to trigger IBS, sufferers have been told to avoid getting stressed as much as possible.

• Other modes of treatment. Psychotherapy has been seen to be beneficial to people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, can improve IBS symptoms. There are other alternative remedies used to alleviate IBS symptoms like peppermint oil, acupuncture, probiotics and others. IBS patients are usually told to try different methods to see what works best for them.

Kirthy Shetty, Platinum author. Get all your tips related to: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

For more information on: Probiotics Constipation

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Get Regular With This Constipation Remedy Guide

Finding an effective constipation remedy that will help relieve the pain can seem quite daunting for those who regularly suffer from constipation. Constipation is a condition where a person has difficulty moving their bowels and there are a number of ways in which it can be diagnosed such as a physical examination, colorectal transit study, anorectal function tests, barium enema x-ray, and sigmoidoscopy or through a colonoscopy.

However there are number of constipation remedies around which should hopefully help to improve the situation as well as remove the problem.

A good one to use is to train your bowel. If you can attempt to have a bowel movement at the same time each day (preferably first thing in the morning) as this is when your colon activity is at its highest and you can practice this quite easily.

Ensure that you improve your eating habits but including plenty of high fiber foods (cereals), and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. It is important that if you suffer from constipation you limit the amount of ice cream, cheese, meat and processed foods that you consume.

Drink plenty of water (about 1.5-2 litres each day) and avoid those drinks which can cause dehydration such as coffee and alcohol.

Also take up some form of regular exercise and not only will it help to alleviate the problems associated with constipation it will provide you with other health benefits as well.

However, if you find that are still not having regular bowel movements even if you have made the changes above then you wish to consider using a bulk forming laxative such Psyllium or Methylcellulose and they can be used for a long time without any side effects.

There are also other medications that can be used to remedy constipation such as Hyprosmotics, Lactulose, Polyethylene Glycol, Glycerin and Sorbital as well as salines like Magnesium Hydroxide, Magnesium Citrate and Sodium Phosphate.

However if you have found that neither of the above methods work for you then you may try such medications as Anthraquinones such as Cascara Sagrada, Emollients such as Docusates, Senna and Mineral Oil. There are also stimulants such as Phenolphthalein, Castor Oil or Bisacodyl which may also help to remedy the problems associated with constipation but such medications as these need to be used under strict supervision of a doctor or healthcare worker and only as a short term measure as most of these have some side effects.

People who are using laxatives should discontinue use slowly and after some time the colon will be restored to its normal working balance.

Finally, you should only use enemas or suppositories as an emergency treatment and if all else fails then surgery may be your only alternative.

Lee Dobbins writes for Colon Articles where you can learn more about having a healthy colon and read about more constipation remedies.
Digest It is an all natural herbal colon cleansing treatment that has changed hundreds of thousands of people's lives through it's gentle and effective whole body safe and effective internal cleansing.

Click here to get a risk free trial of Digest It

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet Guide

One in five Northern Americans has irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which makes it one of the most common disorders diagnosed today. Irritable bowel syndrome usually hits the person around age 20 and is more common among women than in men.

Irritable bowel syndrome is actually a disease, although doctors consider it a functional disorder. However, even though the syndrome can cause considerable pain and discomfort, it does not actually damage the digestive system.

Irritable bowel syndrome disturbs the normal functions of the colon, particularly how the muscles in the intestines work, causing a lot of embarrassment and pain. Irritable bowel syndrome does not cause internal bleeding, but may worsen a medical condition if you already have one.

No one really knows why certain people develop IBS. Researchers believe that people with Irritable bowel syndrome have sensitive colons that react to aggravating foods and certain emotional conditions, most commonly, to stress, conflict, or upsets. Antidepressants are often used to relieve stress-related irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Some doctors link colon sensitivity to weak immune systems.

No cure has been found yet for irritable bowel syndrome. Your doctor might prescribe fiber supplements or occasional laxatives to ease constipation, as well as medicines to help with diarrhea, or drugs that calm down abdominal pain, but careful eating is the most important step in reducing irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Many irritable bowel syndrome sufferers can successfully control their symptoms with simple diet changes. Quite often, when you increase your fiber intake, Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms are relieved.

Eating more fiber can be easier than you think. Whole grain breads and cereals, fruits, and vegetables are both delicious and rich in healthy fiber. Fiber-rich diet results in regular bowel movements and better colon cleansing. However, fiber will make you feel worse if you have pain or diarrhea because high-fiber diets may cause some discomfort at first, but do not panic. You simply need a few days to adjust to the new diet. Positive changes take time if your colon is more irritated than normally.

When starting fiber-rich diet, stick to plain foods like white rice, plain unflavored oatmeal, rice cereal, pasta, peeled potatoes. Incorporate insoluble fibers carefully by blending fresh fruit with soy or rice milk making delicious and nutritious cocktails. You can always add vegetables into soups or pasta sauces. Grilled, not fried, fish filet or low-fat chicken breast goes well with your pasta or rice. Eat fruits and vegetables as much as possible. To increase fiber intake, drink psyllium or flaxseed dissolved in water, such as Citrucel or Metamucil.

In general, try eating foods that are low in fat and high in carbohydrates, such as whole grain pasta and breads, unprocessed (not quick-cooking) rice and cereals. Avoid food that is high in fat, insoluble fiber, caffeine, coffee, carbonation, or alcohol.

When relieving irritable bowel syndrome symptoms through dietary means, you should keep your water intake at a maximum. Water prevents dehydration, especially if you have diarrhea. Drink plain water. Carbonated drinks, such as sodas, may result in increased levels of gas and cause pain in the abdomen.

Irritable bowel syndrome may require you to change the way you eat your meals. Big portions of food can cause cramping and diarrhea. To prevent these occurrences eat smaller portions and plan your meals so that you eat more frequently. Less food requires less effort from your bowels, so the message is to eat little and often.

When following these simple diet guidelines people can start living a normal, happy, outgoing life. Diarrhea and pain should reduce in just a few days. Constipation, however, can take several weeks to relieve, but it is worth persevering. Besides, you will look and feel healthier, too!

To sign up for a free IBS newsletter showing you how to overcome IBS please visit Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief Secrets.
Digest It is an all natural herbal colon cleansing treatment that has changed hundreds of thousands of people's lives through it's gentle and effective whole body safe and effective internal cleansing.

Click here to get a risk free trial of Digest It

Constipation Remedies – Homemade Remedy Guide

Constipation remedies can provide comfort when what goes in won’t come out. Being constipated is a painful condition and can be caused by a variety of different things, including poor diet, lack of exercise, or even a serious illness.

Dehydration can lead to constipation, so it’s important to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to remain regular. Since caffeine can cause dehydration, it is best to avoid that completely. Being high in fiber, fruits and vegetables are beneficial to eat and can help alleviate the problem. Starchy foods should be avoided, because they can make the constipation worse.

Laxatives are known to help, but a doctor’s approval should be sought before taking the medicine, because they sometimes can do more harm than hurt. Another way said to remedy constipation is mixing lemon and honey in a glass of warm water, drinking two glasses per day. Honey can also be mixed with castor oil for a way to negate the constipation. Grapes also have been known to help, and they are healthy too.

There’s also mixing orange juice and olive oil- it may not be the best-tasting beverage but should help in getting things “going.” Licorice is known to have qualities of laxatives, so if you are thinking of trying of laxatives but afraid of any side effects it may bring, try some licorice instead. For something with a little more flavor, try putting together tomatoes and sauerkraut. This, too, might not leave your mouth watering, but it should promote regularity.

Hopefully this brief article has given you some useful natural constipation remedies which will prove helpful in restoring regularity in your life.

Digest It is an all natural herbal colon cleansing treatment that has changed hundreds of thousands of people's lives through it's gentle and effective whole body safe and effective internal cleansing.

Click here to get a risk free trial of Digest It

A Guide To Bowel Incontinence Treatment Options

You ought to seek help for an appropriate bowel incontinence treatment instead of not doing anything about your condition. Granted that you feel embarrassed and wish to keep it a secret from your family and friends. However, if your condition is very severe and if you do not seek treatment, you can possibly experience withdrawal, frustration, depression, and anger problems. You find it hard to want to socialize and go on outings especially if you fear an involuntary loss of bowel control!


You would first need to make an appointment to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Your doctor can help you decide if you need to see a specialist such as a proctologist, colorectal surgeon, or a gastroenterologist. These doctors specialize in medical conditions that affect the colon, anus, and rectum. Finding out the cause of your bowel incontinence can lead you to getting the right treatment.


It is physically discomforting to have bowel incontinence as the skin surrounding the anus is delicate and prolonged. Repeated contact with stool can irritate the area. You may also suffer from itching, pain, and possibly sores. All these discomfort and pain will need treatment.


One bowel incontinence treatment that can help is to make some diet changes. The foods and drinks you consume have a direct impact on your bowel movements and their consistency. If fecal incontinence were caused by chronic constipation, you would need to have a diet that has foods that are high in fiber and to ensure that you drink plenty of fluids. If diarrhea is causing the problem, a diet rich in fiber may also help by adding bulk to your stools. The fiber helps absorb the liquid from your bowel movements. Your doctor or a nutritionist can make suggestions as to how you can make changes to your diet to help alleviate your bowel incontinence symptoms.


Diet alone may not be good enough in some cases. There are both conventional and natural treatments for bowel incontinence. A conventional doctor may prescribe special medications to treat your fecal incontinence. If your problem is caused by diarrhea, he may prescribe you Imodium. It comes in chewable tablets so you can take them any time without liquid to wash it down with. If the problem is caused by constipation, a mild laxative may be suggested for restoring normal bowel movements and consistency. For more severe cases of bowel incontinence, a conventional medication is a drug that reduces water content in your stools and the spontaneous movement of your bowel.


Alternatively, you may also seek the help of a naturopathic doctor that can help prescribe some herbal remedies to deal with your bowel incontinence. Some of these herbal remedies can also help to relax you and alleviate your stress; thereby helping you with easier bowel movements.


Bowel training is another bowel incontinence treatment. You can obtain some tips from your doctor on how to plan a bowel-training and muscle exercise program. Bowel training means teaching your bowels to move at specified times of the day. Your body learns these set timings such as after a meal, when you first wake up, or right before you go to bed. This method is particularly useful for training children who need bowel incontinence treatments. Children are known to not want to go to the bathroom for a variety of reasons. Delaying often enough can result in pain and discomfort of impacted bowels.

Sandra Kim Leong writes about the importance of improving bowel health. She recommends adopting a detox diet to help relieve digestive diseases. For free research, please sign up to her newsletter at http://www.Detox-Cleansing-Diet.com.

Digest It is an all natural herbal colon cleansing treatment that has changed hundreds of thousands of people's lives through it's gentle and effective whole body safe and effective internal cleansing.

Click here to get a risk free trial of Digest It