Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Good health is an asset of a lifetime. Unfortunately, in spite of being born with good health, due to various factors like irregular lifestyle, poor eating habits and emotional stress, a large part of the modern metropolitan population suffers from different types of ailments. One of the major aspects of maintaining good health is following healthy eating habits, having good digestion powers and maintaining regular bowel movements. Any disruption or negligence in daily eating habits and lifestyle factors often lead to bowel disorders like constipation, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (or IBS).

Often referred to in a humorous and rather embarrassing light, irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common medical problems that people in different parts of the world are suffering from today. Characterized primarily by irritable bowel syndrome symptoms like abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, constipation and diarrhea, the disease causes a great deal of discomfort, inconvenience and embarrassment to its sufferers. However, most patients can control these irritable bowel syndrome symptoms with proper medication and dietary control, and these symptoms do not usually deteriorate into severe diseases. Although the major symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome remains the same, different individuals often suffer from differ versions of these symptoms. Chronic constipation, where either the patient faces difficulty in bowel movements or can achieve only partial clearance, is one of the most common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Suffering from abdominal cramps and passing mucus along with bowel movements are some of the other main characteristics of irritable bowel syndrome. At the same time, the very reverse condition of suffering diarrhea or an almost uncontrollable state of bowel movement is also experienced by many patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Some patients also suffer from these two types of problems alternately. While most of the patients find that with proper diet, lifestyle habits and stress reduction they can minimize, or even remedy, the problem up to significant extents, others may suffer a temporary relief only to return to the same problem after some months, with similar or worsening of the symptoms. It is found that women tend to suffer from irritable bowel syndrome comparatively more than their male counterparts.

Medical research has shown that a large number of people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome suffer the problem due to colon sensitivity to certain types of food products. Patients having irritable bowel syndrome often suffer from strong spasmodic muscle contractions. It is the colon lining, called epithelium, that is responsible for absorption of essential fluids. However, in case of a patient suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, this absorption is incomplete or overdone, resulting in either too much fluid in stools or constipation respectively. Heavy meals, intake of certain medicines, frequent consumption of caffeine drinks, chocolate, alcohol and milk products and excessive stress are some of the other major factors that can worsen the irritable bowel syndrome condition. Natural remedies for irritable bowel syndrome include proper stress management and maintenance of a healthy diet. Other than these, various lifestyle factors like relaxation, meditation, regular irritable bowel syndrome exercise sessions and yoga and adequate sleep also play a crucial role in remedying irritable bowel syndrome. A juice fast similar to the one prescribed for colitis could also be helpful. Abstaining from citrus fruits is recommended.