Even if you don't suffer from a full-blown case of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), there may be times when your system acts funny, resulting in bouts of stomach pain, diarrhea or constipation. Maybe it happens just when you are really stressed out, or maybe your stomach just doesn't feel right for a while after a bad case of the stomach flu.
Just because you don't have it as bad as those heart-breaking stories you read about, doesn't mean that there is nothing you can do. Read on for three easy ways for getting your system back to normal.
Try Probiotics
Probiotics are known as "friendly" bacteria, as they are thought to help the gut re-establish a healthier balance among the various types of bacteria that live within the intestinal system. For mild IBS symptoms, probiotics are generally considered to be a safe treatment option. Look for a supplement that contains
one billion cells per dose. The strain
Bifidobacterium infantis has some research support for its effectiveness as a treatment for IBS, but
Lactobacillus acidophilus may be easier to find on the shelves of your local drugstore. Be wary of probiotic-fortified products, such as yogurt, as other ingredients in the product may serve to worsen your symptoms.
Avoid Dairy Products for Two Weeks
Even if you don't suffer from
lactose intolerance, you might still benefit from a short vacation from dairy products. Dairy products have a reputation for being irritating to the digestive system. While your system feels out of whack, try to avoid milk, cheese and yogurt for a couple of weeks and assess the effect of this on your system. When you start to feel better, slowly reintroduce dairy products to your diet and see if your body is able to tolerate them without difficulty.
Learn How to Physically Calm Your Body
The body's ability to respond to stress worked wonderfully when we lived in caves and occasionally encountered a hungry tiger. In our current stress-filled world, however, the system doesn't quite work as well. Because our digestive systems are closely connected to this
stress response system, it is quite common to experience unpleasant intestinal symptoms during times in our lives when our stress levels are higher. Luckily, there are ways for you to counteract or turn off the stress response.
Relaxation techniques are a simple, do-anywhere, non-drug method for calming your body and quieting your system.
When to See Your Doctor
If you have any
red-flag symptoms, such as fever, vomiting or blood in the stool, it is essential that you make an immediate appointment with your physician. You should also make an appointment with your doctor if your symptoms persist for more than three months.
