Contain Your Irritation

As many as 20% of Americans have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Cramping, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea can be painful, disabling, and lead to more serious conditions such as cancer. Although you can’t cure IBS, you can manage it.

• Change your diet: Eating a high–fiber diet, avoiding caffeine, dairy, and alcohol, and bulking up on low–fat, high–carb meals might help reduce symptoms. Drinking 6–8 glasses of water a day flushes out the colon and keeps the digestive track functioning smoothly.
• Tackle stress head–on: While the average person might experience butterflies before a stressful event, those with IBS have more pronounced symptoms. Stress reduction techniques such as yoga, walking, and meditation can help calm the mind… and the colon.
• Avoid bloating: Fast eating, chewing gum, shallow breathing, and gulping water can lead to swallowing large amounts of air, which can trigger IBS. Make sure meal times are relaxed and eat smaller, more frequent portions.