Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be a very tough condition to live with. Every meal can become a chance at painful consequences. Living in fear of meals can be stressful, especially when you’re trying to plan meals out with friends and family. Luckily there are many ways to help relieve these symptoms, through both medicine and lifestyle changes. Hunterdon Gastroenterology can help you make the right changes to break free from the limitations of irritable bowel syndrome.
Preventing IBS symptoms
Many people with irritable bowel syndrome have dealt with the symptoms long before they were diagnosed. People with IBS often have symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, and general abdominal pain. These symptoms are triggered when eating, and can be affected by certain foods such as greasy or sugary foods. Another common trigger is drinking high amounts of caffeine. This also can add to dehydration from diarrhea to cause further complication. It’s important to learn over time what kinds of foods trigger your IBS attacks specifically, as many people have different trigger foods.
Another good lifestyle change is to exercise. Keeping a healthy body has been shown to greatly reduce the severity of IBS symptoms. This can also tie into reducing stress, which is another known cause of IBS. With that in mind, it’s important to try and reduce major factors of stress in your life. It can help to relax near meals or take breaks from work to stretch and take some deep breaths. While this is good advice for anyone, people with IBS will really feel the benefits of some simple relaxation.
Of course, along with the simple changes you can make at home, it’s important to see a professional if you feel like your symptoms require further help. There are a variety of treatments available. The physicians in Somerville, New Jersey at Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates are expertly trained to help you make important decisions about your gastrointestinal health.
Visit our frequently asked questions page to learn more about we can do to assist you. If you’re in the Somerville area and want to make an appointment, call us at 908-483-4000. Come take the first steps to escaping from the suffering that comes with irritable bowel syndrome.
