Although IBS cannot be prevented, symptoms can be reduced, and healthy lifestyle habits can often help. Careful changes to your diet can help reduce the symptoms of IBS.
But many people have worse IBS symptoms when they eat or drink certain foods or beverages. These include wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, beans, cabbage, milk and carbonated drinks. Stress. Most people with IBS experience worse or more-frequent symptoms during periods of increased stress.
Include plenty of probiotic-rich foods like kimchi, kombucha, miso, or sauerkraut. Sometimes, you can also eat yogurt if you are not allergic to dairy. Try unsweetened sheep or goat yogurt. These are all foods that help your gut flora get and stay healthy.
Probiotics may relieve symptoms of IBS
The American College of Gastroenterology conducted a meta-analysis of more than 30 studies, which found that probiotics may improve overall symptoms, as well as bloating and flatulence, in people with IBS.
Some common at-home treatments for IBS include relaxation exercises, hypnotherapy, physical activity, dietary changes, applying heat, and consuming peppermint oil or other supplements (such as prebiotics and probiotics).
Several approaches targeting the brain–gut connection have been studied and found to be effective for treating IBS patients. For example, studies have shown that mindfulness techniques, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and meditation, reduce IBS symptom severity and improve patient quality of life.
Water intake might be associated with improvement of IBS through affecting GI function. Water intake might improve constipation among IBS-C patients. In addition, drinking water is a common suggestion for IBS-D patients to prevent diarrhea-induced dehydration.
People younger than age 50 are more likely to develop IBS than people older than age 50. Factors that can increase your chance of having IBS include: having a family member with IBS. a history of stressful or difficult life events, such as abuse, in childhood.
Unripe bananas are low in FODMAPS and therefore a better choice for people with IBS — although they're not as sweet or soft as ripe bananas. However, as bananas ripen, they accumulate a type of FODMAP called oligofructans. Therefore, ripe bananas are considered a high FODMAP food (6, 7 ).
Eating yogurt can help alleviate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms since yogurt has probiotics, or “good bacteria,” which helps put healthy bacteria back in your gut.
There are many natural ways you can treat symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome from home. This saves the need to purchase over-the-counter medications or prescription medications. Safe and effective home remedies include herbal supplements, dietary changes, exercise and relaxation techniques, including hypnotherapy.
Researchers say they've noticed a vitamin D deficiency in many people with IBS. Increasing the level of the vitamin could reduce symptoms.
Left untreated, long-term IBS can sometimes lead to other serious health issues. One such possibility is an impacted bowel, especially in cases where the IBS symptoms include chronic constipation. An impacted bowel occurs when stool builds up in the large intestine.
For individuals with constipation-predominant IBS, a soluble fiber supplement (Metamucil or others containing psyllium) can be helpful.
A 2008 study showed that 64% (9 out of the 14 patients) who participated in the study showed a reversal of early rise in breath hydrogen after lactulose (ERBHAL) after 6 weeks of taking 1 x 65 mL dose of Yakult® daily. The study also showed improved IBS symptoms for those patients whose ERBHAL times slowed down.