The term Irritable Bowel Syndrome covers a number of
conditions, one of which is Trapped Wind, dealt with separately
here.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Symptoms arise when colon muscles become
sensitive and then spasm, possibly as a response to diet factors and stress, but
it can also be indicative of a serious medical problem..
IBS symptoms include:
alternating between constipation
and diarrhoea
abdominal bloating and pain
flatulence (trapped wind, dealt with separately,
here)
IBS symptoms could indicate other medical
conditions and therefore it is important to see your doctor, especially
if,
Your bowel habit changes significantly
There is blood in your stools
You have severe abdominal pain
You have noticed weight loss
You are experiencing fever
IBS is often diagnosed when investigations
find no organic basis for the symptoms.
The following may help in alleviating the symptoms:
Keep a diet diary.Note
if symptoms are associated with eating particular foods.
Regulate your bowels.
Gradually increase soluble fibre to your diet
Eat more leafy vegetables and fruit. Snack on dried fruit
apricots (prunes, apricots etc. rather than biscuits, chocolate or crisps. Be
warned, this may initially increase flatulence and bloating, but research had
shown that fibre improves bowel function.
Link here.
Drink plenty of waterRemember that Caffeine and alcohol will dehydrate your body so its
helpful to have a water chaser.
Exercise Regular exercise as in brisk walking
will help to avoid constipation
Reduce stressby recognising it and avoiding stressors,
relaxation and self-hypnosis
Hops antispasmodic and digestive tonic (caution:
avoid these if you suffer from depression, are pregnant or impotent).
Valerian to reduce stress (caution:
avoid in pregnancy and lactation)
Wild yam an antispasmodic to reduce cramping
(caution: avoid if pregnant or lactating)
Constipation
Dandelion root a bitter herb to stimulate
bile flow and aid digestion
Yellow Dock a mild laxativve but
containing anthaquinones which, if taken for long periods may weaken the
tone on the bowel
Diarrhoea
Agrimony - contains tannins that have a drying effect
Bilberries - steep the berries in boiling water for 20 minutes
Apples - contain pectin which will also help constipation by
softening stools
To treat bloating, wind and stress symptoms, I supply a herbal tea containing valerian, hops, chamomile, fennel, dandelion root and wild yam.
This is not suitable for those who are pregnant or suffering from depression.
The precise ingredients can be varied depending on individual symptoms, so email me here if you wish to do so.
The cost is £5.00 ($10) per
100 grams plus postage. Click here to order
I can also supply linseed at £3.50 ($7) per 100
grams plus postage. I can grind this, if required, but ground linseed will only
keep for about six weeks. Click here to
order.
