Natural Cures for IBS

Hypnotherapy for IBS: Does this actually work?

2010-09-13T20:23:00.000-07:00

Hypnotherapy for IBS is not something new. But lately it has been gaining popularity when more people are turning to natural and alternative remedies for IBS. Hypnotherapy is a therapy using hypnosis not only to alleviate symptoms but often to uncover the cause of the problem which can be corrected thus ensuring a complete and permanent cure. Hypnotherapy is used as a way to make people more aware of their bodies so that they may have better control over their general functioning. Hypnotherapy is the process whereby you become deeply or lightly relaxed, guided by words, phrases, suggestions and imagination.

So how does IBS hypnotherapy helps sufferers to alleviate IBS symptoms?

Many studies have shown that hypnotherapy is indeed effective in improving both symptoms and quality of life in patients with IBS. What is more important is hypnotherapy offer sufferers a drug-free solution to their symptoms of diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain and bloating. Hypnotherapy is not a miracle cure: rather it is a state of awareness that can be used for self-help. Hypnotherapy is time-consuming and it does take quite a bit of time to actually feel the effect. But to many sufferers, persistense pays off.

IBS hypnotherapy is recommended by authority IBS sites such as IBSTales.com. It has claimed over 80% success rate for alleviating all IBS symptoms. IBS hypnotherapy has been researched for 30 years and stands alone as the most significant long term symptom relief solution. If nothing has work for you, why don't you give IBS hypnotherapy a try?

Thanks to modern technology, you don't have to go for clinical one to one hypnotherapy sessions, which are usually very costly. You can now enjoy the same results of IBS hypnotherapy by listening to hypnotherapy CDs and tapes. You can even download from the internet and listen at your own pleasure. Many users have found relief after listening for a number of sessions. However, do bear in mind that IBS hypnotherapy or hypnosis is not miracle cure. You do have to listen to a certain number of session consistently to be effective.

Here are some of the highly recommended IBS Hypnotherapy products:

(1) IBS Audio Program 100 ~ For Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self-Hypnosis

This IBS Audio Program 100 is a self-hypnosis program for IBS sufferers. The duration of the program is 100 days. There are 4 CDs of IBS hypnotherapy sessions and a bonus CD with good introduction to IBS.

Users of this program has seen as much as 85% of reduction of IBS symptoms such as bloating, pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and urgency. It is effective in addressing stress and anxiety which are always part of what IBS sufferers have to endure.

The program was developed by Michael Mahoney, the UK's leading specialist in gut-specific hypnotherapy for IBS. Mahoney is regularly referred patients by gastroenterologists and family care physicians. He is an associate member of the Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology, a worldwide organization. He has accumulated all his experience with his IBS patients and fine tuned it into recordings with the same effect as being hypnotized in person.

The program is easy to use. You need to find a consistent time and place to listen to the CDs everyday. Consistency and persistence is the key to effective results.

Here are what some of the users got to say:

"I am only on the second cd but i can tell you this, i am calmer and able to handle stress better, and my stomach problems are better too."
Shannon. Belfair, Wa USA

After trying every medication/diet imaginable over the last 7 years, I tried the IBS 100 CD's and have finally found relief! The hypnosis program has worked wonders for me. Over the last 6 months I have gone off all of my medications and am far less sensitive to stress and diet triggers. Hypnotherapy really works! It has helped me to manage stress in my life so that it doesn't affect me the way that it used to, and I can eat the foods I havent been able to eat in years. I highly recommend this product!

Jenks. Orange County, CA

(2)Hypnotherapy for IBS from HypnosisDownloads.com

Eventhough IBS hypnotherapy has worked for many IBS sufferers, it does not work on everyone. So instead of spending a good sum of money to try out IBS hypnotherapy, you may choose a MP3 download for a cheaper alternative. You can give it a try while following the proper instructions to determine if hypnotherapy works for you.

HypnosisDownloads offers a wide range of professional hypnosis downloads from leading hypnotherapy practitioners. Click here to read more on the specific hypnotherapy for IBS. You can download the session for only $12.95. You are given a 100% 90-day money back guarantee. If you can see positive effects from listening to the download, you can then go for IBS Audio Program 100 ~ For Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self-Hypnosis for better results.

Some Important Facts on Irritable Bowel Diet

2007-09-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome is considered to be a common disorder affecting the intestines. Common symptoms include stomach pain, bloating, gas, cramping and certain abnormalities in bowel habits. Constipation is very common for some Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients while others tend to experience diarrhea. Still there are some that experience both. Eating fiber rich food can help control IBS symptoms however it should be introduced to the body little by little since it may trigger IBS symptoms.

It may also help if Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients may indulge in a low-fat/high fiber diet this can help them in eliminating constipation. Twenty to thirty-five grams of fiber included in daily diet can help control IBS symptoms.

Fiber-Rich Foods and Plenty of Fluids

You can find fibers in grains particularly bran, cereals, fruits, whole-grain breads and vegetables. Similarly there are also foods that are high in soluble fibers like peas, beans and oats that were also find out to help control constipation and diarrhea.

A word of advice for IBS patients: Always read food labels especially when purchasing cereals and breads make sure that they are made from whole-grain or whole-wheat. Similarly for meat dishes make sure that you add fibers like kidney beans, oatmeal, bran pinto beans, black-eyed peas and kidney beans. If you are to purchase ready to eat cereals make sure that it contain at least five grams of fibers.

In case of gas pain you may also purchase over the counter anti-gas pills. And of course don't forget to drink lots of fluids. If you can follow the recommended eight glasses of liquid per day then so much the better. In terms of fluids you may take in water, fruit juices and even decaf drinks.

Likewise, take note of the instances where you usually experience IBS symptoms. Keep a record of the food that you take in during that time and try not to eat them again. If you can keep a food diary to help you in controlling your IBS then do so.

If you are used to eating large servings of foods per meal then divide it into smaller meals instead. Drinking multi-vitamins as well as mineral supplement especially those with one hundred percent US prescribed (RDI or recommended daily intake) may also help in controlling IBS. But just like any type of medication it is important that you consult your doctor or your dietitian before taking in any medication. Same when taking in fiber supplement it is vital that you consult a doctor.

To avoid eating more try to eat your food slowly to digest the food well. Try to enjoy your food. And also refrain from drinking caffeinated and alcoholic beverages since they may cause diarrhea.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Flare-ups

IBS flare-ups calls for a low-fiber/low residue diet especially if it involves diarrhea. There are certain types of foods that tend to loosen up stools. Try to avoid these types of foods especially if you have diarrhea.

You may try to choose a different type of food or you may even adjust food temperature to help you in relieving diarrhea. These suggestions are not guaranteed to work in the same way for all IBS patients. Some may find relief while others may not. Just to be sure try to consult your doctors always before trying out some new methods to control your IBS symptoms.

Spotting Trouble: Knowing The Symptoms of IBS

2007-09-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

Irritable bowel syndrome can be quite hard to identify if you do not know what to look for. This is mainly because of the fact that irritable bowel syndrome has a lot of different symptoms. The signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome vary from person to person, which means that certain criteria are needed for proper diagnosis.

What are the signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?

This question cannot be answered simply by giving you a generic list. As said before, the signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome vary from person to person and this means that irritable bowel syndrome cannot be generalized into a set of syndromes. Here are the different classifications of irritable bowel syndrome and their symptoms:

1) Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) – This type of irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by these signs and symptoms:

a) Urgency in defecating – People suffering from this type of irritable bowel syndrome often need to hurry when they have to defecate. This irritable bowel syndrome sign and symptom can be very inconvenient especially if a person is working.

b) Wet/loose stool – This means that the stool the person is evacuating from the body has excessive water content. The stool could be very loose or even kind of liquid.

c) Abnormal bowel frequency – A person suffering from IBS-D has to move his or her bowels more than 3 times a day. This can cause a person to be dehydrated so a person experiencing this sign should make sure to drink lots of water.

2) Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) – These are the irritable bowel syndrome signs and symptoms to look for in this illness:

a) Straining to defecate –A person suffering from this illness often has difficulty moving his or her bowels. It is often the case when the person has to make a huge effort in order to evacuate stool from his or her body. In some cases, there could be pain during bowel movement.

b) Hard/ lumpy stool – Having hard, dry or lumpy stool is a common sign and symptom of having irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. This is because the digestive process may not include enough water in the digestion to make the stool softer and easier to evacuate.

c) Abnormal bowel frequency – A person suffering from IBS-C is often unable to defecate more than 3 times a week. An abnormal frequency in defecation could be dangerous as it could cause toxins to build up in the digestive tract.

3) Irritable bowel syndrome alternating (IBS-A) – This is characterized by alternating signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. This can be very hard on the person as he or she needs to constantly adjust his or her diet in order to accommodate the symptoms.

There are common signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome:

Abdominal pain – People with irritable bowel syndrome often experience mild to severe pain in their abdominal area. This is a symptom triggered by eating various types of foods or even stress. It is often the case that this irritable bowel syndrome sign and symptom would be relieved as soon as a person defecates.

Sudden change in bowel frequency – This irritable bowel syndrome symptom could either be an increase in the frequency of defecation or it could mean a decrease in bowel frequency.

Other symptoms of IBS include crampy pain,bloating, gas, mucus in the stool. Symptoms can flare up when you're under stress, for example. Symptoms that are sometimes present include intestinal gas and passage of mucus in stools. Symptoms often occur after a meal, during stressful times, or during menstruation.

The Effects of Vitamins for Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS

2007-09-11T02:08:00.000-07:00

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can vary from person to person. There are people who experience symptoms of diarrhea with their irritable bowel syndrome while there are some people who experience constipation. Because of this, there are different effects of vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome. Vitamins generally cause chemical reactions in the stomach and these reactions can either be beneficial or harmful to a person's IBS. Here are some common effects of vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome:

1) Vitamin C – Also known as ascorbic acid, this vitamin has a laxative effect. People should be careful in taking this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome as it can cause diarrhea when it reaches the stomach. People already suffering from symptoms of diarrhea should monitor their intake of vitamin C very closely.

Taking this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome may also cause gas and bloating. This occurs when the acid of the vitamin reacts with the alkaline setting of the lower intestinal tract. You can try to observe this reaction by dropping a couple of mentos on a glass of diet coke.

2) Calcium – This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome can have either a laxative or constipating effect on a person, depending on the type. People suffering from IBS should try to discover hat type of calcium is right for them:

a) Calcium carbonate – This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome contains no magnesium and can relieve symptoms of diarrhea. This is the best vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome which is prone to diarrhea (IBS-D).

b) Calcium citrate – This type of vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome contains magnesium and thus, can trigger symptoms of diarrhea. This is the best for people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome which is prone to constipation (IBS-C).

A good advice to follow when taking calcium vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome is to keep the amount at a maximum of 500 mg. This is in order to prevent triggering symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It is also a good idea to take this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome with vitamin D as this helps in the absorption of these nutrients.

3) Iron – This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome can be quite constipating. People taking this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome are also prone to stomach upsets. It is also a known fact that Iron interferes with the absorption of calcium.

Tips in taking vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome:

1) Try to get balanced doses of your vitamins - When buying supplements, make sure that those supplements deliver the right amounts of vitamins you need. It is important that a certain supplement does not contain a megadose of any vitamin as this could trigger symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

2) Always take your vitamins with food – It is important that you not take your vitamins on an empty stomach. Doing so could increase the discomfort brought about by the chemical reactions caused by the vitamins. This is especially true with acidic vitamins like vitamin C.

3) Consult a pharmacist – Remember that there are different effects of vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome. If you are unsure regarding which vitamin supplement to take, you should get help from a pharmacist in finding the mildest vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome.

4) Take separate vitamins separately – Vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome also react in various ways with each other. For the best absorption of nutrients, you should try taking vitamins one type at a time.

IBS Foods To Avoid: What to Eat and What NOT to Eat

2007-09-11T01:51:00.000-07:00

While foods do not actually cause the attacks of the symptoms, we can't still ignore the fact that there are certain problematic foods that can set off some symptoms including constipation, diarrhea and bloating.

Unfortunately, there is no standard diet that can be used by all patients. In fact, even if a diet plan works for one, it does not necessarily imply that it will also do good for another patient with similar condition. Nevertheless, there are some common guidelines that can be used to determine what specific foods normally aggravate the symptoms.

It is important to remember though that there is no clear explanation as to why foods may have triggering effects on Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Nonetheless, association with this condition towards specific diet is often pointed as the culprit of IBS.

Thus, the common placebo among patients is the lessening of symptoms with the elimination or restriction from foods that are known to cause the attacks.

Since large meals can produce strain and compaction in the stomach, it is advisable that one should take several small meals rather than take three regular meals. This habit will help the patient reduce the likelihood of triggering diarrhea or constipation.

It is also important that the patient minimize the intake of fat-based foods. This is because fat is relatively harder and slower to be digested. Poor digestion is said to be closely associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Often, this may cause gas in the intestine that further leads to the rise of many symptoms that could aggravate the problem.

In addition to these, dietary fat is known to make the movement of gas slower from the stomach to the small intestine. A number of patients have been observed to respond exaggeratedly towards dietary fats through further slowing. Thus, while there may not be much established facts on this, it is still better to prevent any possibilities from occurring.

The "greens" and natural components are often the best solution to most intestinal complications. Dietary fiber from fruits and vegetables, beans and wheat-based products often provide solution to the ills of the gastrointestinal tract.

While fiber may not help in the reduction of abdominal pain, its significant effects in constipation surely help those who suffer from this symptom. Fiber is known to improve the bulkiness of the stool, which helps create better removal of the stool.

Because lactose intolerance is often associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, people find it helpful to refrain from milk intake so as to avoid further complications. But like with other diet plans, lactose elimination would not mean the release from IBS symptoms. It will just add to the comfort of lesser symptoms.

Treating IBS by Changing Diet

Changing your diet can actually help in reducing symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. However bear in mind that before you change your diet it is important that you consult your doctor since there are certain foods that aggravate symptoms of IBS. Your doctor will guide on the proper food to take and to avoid.

Keeping a journal can also help you to keep track of food that you have to avoid. Some of the common foods to avoid include dairy products, which really caused Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. Fiber-rich foods are great for controlling IBS symptoms especially constipation.

You can get fiber from whole grain breads, fruits, cereals and vegetables. Fiber-rich foods help in keeping the colon distended, which in turn prevents spasms. There are also some types of fiber that store water in the stool making it easy for IBS patients to move bowel. But remember to add fiber in your diet gradually so you would not have gas pain. If the IBS symptom you have is diarrhea then a fiber-rich diet is not a solution.

In addition, drinking six to eight glasses of fluid can also help in preventing constipation and dehydration especially for IBS patients that have diarrhea. Drinking sodas or any carbonated drinks, chewing gum, eating too fast and eating large meals is a no-no for IBS patients since it triggers symptoms of Irritable Bowel Symptoms.

Knowing what creates the triggering effects will help you create a feasible diet plan for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. While this may not actually be enough as a treatment, it will largely contribute to the facilitation of larger-scale plan for suppressing the symptoms.

What is IBS and its Misconception

2007-09-11T01:45:00.000-07:00

Until 1992, Irritable Bowel Syndrome or more commonly known as IBS, is not commonly known. Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by frequent cramping of the stomach, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation. These cause a great deal of distress and discomfort but will never lead to more aggravated condition since it does not cause permanent harm on the sufferer.

Some may experience single symptoms, say constipation. Many people though report of having cramping or straining without any or minimal release of stool. These people experience mucus release along with their bowel too. Mucus is a fluid-form lubricant that helps moisten the digestive passages for easier release of digested materials. Some patients, on the other hand, undergo diarrhea, which is characterized with frequent release of uncontrollable watery stools. But some endure alternate constipation and diarrhea.

There are many misconception on this condition. Here are some facts about IBS you might not know:

1) It is not fatal

There are some people who thought that IBS is incurable based on the impression from their doctors. You can be rest assured that you will not die from IBS.

2) Not as uncommon as you think

IBS is not something which you hear people talking about it due to this stigma which attached to anything to do with the bowels. In fact few IBS sufferers actually talk about their condition. Therefore you have to realise that you are not alone. There are many sufferers but they just don't talk about it.

3) Its cause is still unknown

This is probably what makes IBS so exasperating. While the exact cause of this condition is quite unknown, it is a fact that the symptoms of this illness can be triggered by different factors. Although there is no cure for IBS, there are a lot of things you can do to improve the condition.

4) There are various and seemingly contradicting symptoms

Many people expect this type of illness to be diagnosed using a standard set of symptoms. This means that many people expect to see the same set of symptoms in people suffering from Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, you should realize that each case of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be different in symptoms. Some people experience diarrhea while others may experience constipation. Only after a series of tests can a physician truly say that a person has irritable bowel syndrome.

5) Your diet is a factor

Since irritable bowel syndrome mostly affects the digestive process, it is the case that what you eat can affect how you feel. When eating, remember that you need to have lots of soluble fiber. This helps stabilize your digestive process and prevent both diarrhea and constipation.

Here are some main IBS food to avoid:

a) High- fat
b) Alcohol
c) Carbonated Drinks
d) Coffee (even decaffeinated coffee is not good)
e) Dairy Products (even for those without lactose intolerance)

6) Not all types of fiber can help

There are different articles circulating around the web that promote eating different foods with fiber. They often cite fruits and vegetables as examples of what a person suffering from irritable bowel disease (IBS) should eat plenty of. However, people should realize the fact that these contain insoluble fiber that could worsen the symptoms of the illness. What people need to do is to take soluble fiber supplements together with these foods in order to balance the activity in the stomach.

Various Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrom or IBS

2007-09-11T01:25:00.000-07:00

Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that is relatively prevalent among people aged 20 years and above. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed syndromes yet one of the issues that people tend not to talk about.

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by frequent cramping of the stomach, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation. These cause a great deal of distress and discomfort but will never lead to more aggravated condition since it does not cause permanent harm on the sufferer.

While there is a common pattern for most patients, still the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome vary from patients to patients.

Some may experience single symptoms, say constipation. Many people though report of having cramping or straining without any or minimal release of stool. These people experience mucus release along with their bowel too. Mucus is a fluid-form lubricant that helps moisten the digestive passages for easier release of digested materials.

Some patients, on the other hand, undergo diarrhea, which is characterized with frequent release of uncontrollable watery stools. But some endure alternate constipation and diarrhea.

The ceasing of symptoms does not imply the stoppage of the syndrome all together though. Many people find it more difficult to deal with irritable bowel syndrome after a few months of subsided syndromes.

While many cases of this syndrome are regularly reported worldwide, there are still no known causes that would determine the proper treatments. Many researchers agree that this may have a relation on the colon or the large bowel that is especially reactive to specific stresses and food elements.

Others argue that this is largely affected by the efficiency of the immune system.

Persons with this condition are known to have irregular motility or movement of the large colon. This is termed to as spasmodic but other patients display temporary cessation of intestinal movement.

IBS is frequently linked with bacterial infection found in the gastrointestinal tract. Researchers observed that people who have developed gastroenteritis have greater likelihood of also developing IBS.

In addition, it is found that irritable bowel syndrome heightens once susceptibility over anxiety and stress which in return aggravate the condition. Similarly, many symptoms of IBS cause depression and anxiety.

Other patients projected links with irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease, which is the inability of a person to digest gluten. Gluten is the substance found in wheat, barley, eye and flour that basically help in the coagulation of the bread. Patients of celiac disease have immune systems that respond to gluten by damaging the small intestine. The presence of celiac disease along with IBS can be checked through blood tests.

For female sufferers however, findings have suggested that many have worsened symptoms during their menstrual period.
These are basically the commonly observed "supposed causes" of internal bowel movements. The scientific and the medical communities are continually working on resolving the causes so as to create feasible treatment options that would help ease out the condition.

Nevertheless, people have already practiced a number of things to help provide temporary treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. Many of which entail the avoidance towards foods that normally cause the symptoms to reappear. Many activities are also suggested to be avoided to limit the appearance of the symptoms. Such include large meals, caffeine from teas, colas and chocolates and abstention from alcohol and wheat-based products.