Body and Mind Solutions

IBS Programme

*******Programme being updated-please check back soon *********

IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common complaint (as many as 20% of people may have symptoms) and can be distressing but it is not a danger to your health or linked to more serious bowel conditions

Our digestive system is basically a muscular tube which usually contracts and relaxes in a co-ordinated way to move food through the system and help absorption. In IBS the bowel looks normal but the contractions are not well co-ordinated leading to spasm and stretching of the bowel wall - stretching bowel causes pain. The problem is due to disturbed bowel function

SYMPTOMS

There are numerous symptoms and you may experience some of them at different times. The most common are:

· Abdominal pain - often colicky, i.e. a pain that moves in waves.

· Diarrhoea or constipation - sometimes alternating between the two. The stool may be hard pellets, sometimes covered in mucus.

· Feeling of incomplete emptying after going to the toilet

· Feeling of fullness or bloating

· Passage of wind, which sometimes quickly relieves the pain

CAUSES

There is no one single cause of IBS but there are several contributing factors, the most significant of which are lack of dietary fibre and the individual's reaction to pressure - stress. Adjusting your life style and eating habits can help you relieve your symptoms. No one can offer you a cure but with help you should be able to greatly relieve your symptoms so they don't interfere with your enjoyment of life. Symptoms can be worse at times of upset or stress such as exam times or when under pressure to meet with a deadline. An increase in symptoms just prior to menstruation can also be a problem. Anticipate those potentially difficult times and act to prevent symptoms occurring. We all experience pressure throughout our everyday life but if this becomes out of control it can aggravate bowel function. Learning to avoid the effect of pressure and anxiety is vital to our general health and can greatly help to relieve or even stop the symptoms of IBS.

Tips which may help you to avoid unnecessary pressure:

· Plan your time as much as possible and pace yourself to avoid "racing against the clock"

· Learn relaxation techniques - Hypnosis will teach you how to relax Mind & Body 

· Regular exercise - this does not have to involve huge amounts of time or expense. Regular walking or swimming is effective

· Regular meals. Don't skip meals - it doesn't have to be a full meal, a sandwich or bowl of cereal is sufficient. Sit down to eat and make time for a meal

· Try to develop a balanced healthy eating pattern. Initially you may need to make adjustments to your present diet which may take time to plan but it should eventually become part of your daily life. Make adjustments slowly - you can't change a habit overnight

· A diet lacking fibre is thought to aggravate IBS so gradually increase the amount of fibre. A few people find this aggravates their symptoms and if that is the case you need to reduce the fibre. Do not suddenly introduce large amounts of fibre so your bowel will object - you will experience more pain! Sources of fibre are whole-wheat products - rice, pasta, bread, cereals, chapatis. These are carbohydrates (also potatoes). Beans, lentils, sweetcom, peas, fresh fruit and vegetables - especially green vegetables. Each meal should contain a source of carbohydrate

· Fibre can only help our bowel function if sufficient fluid is taken so make sure you drink plenty of water, (fizzy drinks aggravate the pain). Fatty foods and refined sugar appear to contribute to the symptoms so try to reduce these

· Caffeine and alcohol can also aggravate the problem so moderate these if possible. You may find there are individual foods which cause you problems, such as bananas, oranges, chocolate, pickles and cheese. This does not mean you are allergic to them but if you think any food is aggravating your symptoms try to avoid it when you anticipate your symptoms. For most people, a balanced diet is essential and avoidance of any one food group is not advised.

source: LNHS.IBS.ADVICE

You may only have one life - but you do have many choices- make it the life you want