A cure for IBS has yet to be found, but its symptoms can be managed by a change in diet. A person can also manage the symptoms by reducing his or her stress and of course with medication. Each person has different trigger foods that can cause IBS symptoms. Physicians often observe that patients are relieved knowing that these symptoms are not signs of a major decease.
People should be aware of diet changes that could prevent IBS from getting worse. First they should know the foods to avoid. Examples of the foods that may cause the symptoms to become worse are food high in fat like deep fried foods, milk and dairy products like cheese or yogurt, chocolates, alcohol and caffeine which is normally found in coffee and carbonated drinks. If these foods cause the symptoms of IBS, people should minimize their intake or even better refrain from eating them. For people to find out which food products are causing their symptoms they should monitor what they eat and keep a log of food intake during the day, what symptoms are experienced, what time these symptoms occurred, and what food makes you feel bad every time you eat it. Then take your notes to your physician for them to be able to know which food you should refrain from eating.
There are also foods which are advisable for people with IBS to eat; these are foods that contain fiber. Fiber reduces the symptoms of IBS especially constipation. Fiber makes the stool soft, bulky and makes the stool easy to pass. Fibers can be found in foods like bran, bread, cereals, beans, fruits, and vegetables. Bread that contains fiber is whole-grain bread; whole-grain cereal, beans fiber can be found in kidney and lima beans, the fruits that contain fiber are apples and peaches, and the vegetables that contain fiber are broccoli, raw cabbage, carrots, and raw peas.
Adding these foods to your daily diet gradually helps your body adjust to them. Aside from advising people to eat more foods with fiber, physicians sometimes tell the patient to get more fiber by either taking a fiber pill mixing a high fiber powder into drinking. But, be aware that too much fiber all at once might cause gas and can actually trigger the symptoms of IBS.
How much a person eats during the day also matters. Large meals can lead to cramping and diarrhea. If this happens, change your meals and eat four or five small meals a day instead. If you don’t want to do this or it won’t fit in with your schedule stick to three meals a day, reducing the quantity you eat.
If you suspect you are suffering with IBS, you should first consult your primary care physician before taking other steps.