Natural Help for Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that effects the lower or larger part of the intestinal tract (colon). In IBS, the normally rhythmic muscular contractions of the digestive tract become irregular and uncoordinated. This interferes with normal movement of food and waste material, and leads to an accumulation of mucus and toxins in the intestines. This accumulated material sets up a partial obstruction of the digestive tract, trapping gas and stools. IBS involves abdominal pain and abnormal bowel movements. Emotional stress often makes the symptoms worse. Despite these uncomfortable signs and symptoms, IBS does not cause permanent damage to your colon. It is not the same as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
The main cause of IBS is unknown, but many experts believe it is stress related. Although, after an acute gastrointestinal infection, the risk of developing IBS increases. The overuse of antibiotics, antacids, or laxatives, which all disturb the bacterial microflora of the bowel, may also be a factor. Because there are many causes of diarrhea that give IBS-like symptoms, other intestinal causes should be ruled out. These include parasites, gastrointestinal infections, lactose intolerance, helicobacter pylori, and coeliac disease. There is no real cure for IBS, although when other intestinal problems are ruled out and treated, IBS is no longer an issue.
Symptoms range from mild to severe. IBS symptoms may be worse in those who have anxiety and depression. Although, it is important to understand that these conditions do not cause IBS.
Symptoms may include:
· Abdominal distention
· Swollen or bloated, Gas Abdomen
· Abdominal pain that:
-Comes and goes
-Is reduced or goes away after a bowel movement
-Occurs after meals
· Chronic and frequent constipation, usually accompanied by pain
· Chronic and frequent diarrhea, usually accompanied by pain
· Emotional distress or Depression
· Whitish Mucus in the stool
· The feeling of an incomplete bowel movement
· Loss of appetite
· Women with IBS often have more symptoms during their menstrual periods
The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and support the Digestive Tract. Lifestyle changes can be helpful in some cases of IBS.
· Begin by applying regular exercise and improving sleep habits.
· Do not eat right before going to bed. Wait 1-2 hours after eating before lying down.
· Find a Stress Relief program (Emotional stress does not cause IBS. But people with IBS may have their bowels react more to stress. So, if you already have IBS, stress can make your symptoms worse.)
-Yoga and Meditation may help
-Practice deep breathing exercises. Shallow breathing reduces the oxygen available for proper bowel functions.
· If IBS has been a chronic issue, consider a Colon Cleanse before beginning any support supplements, like the Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes.
sAerobic Bulk Cleanse (ABS) from Aerobic Life Industries, is recommended to clean the colon wall of excess mucus and slow down food reactions.
sUse Aloe Vera in conjunction with any Colon cleanse, as it is healing to the digestive tract. Dink ½ Cup Aloe Vera Juice up to 3 times daily on an empty stomach.
· Dietary changes can be helpful. (However, no specific diet can be recommended for IBS in general, because the condition differs from one person to another.)
sIncreasing dietary fiber can be beneficial, as it will regulate bowel movements (Add foods with fiber to your diet a little at a time to let your body get used to them. Too much fiber at once can cause gas, which can trigger symptoms in a person with IBS.)
sSome foods that may help are kidney beans, lima beans, whole-grain bread and cereal, broccoli (raw), cabbage, carrots (raw), peas, apples, and peaches.)
sUse a supplemental Fiber, on a daily basis. Alternate Psyllium powder, oat bran, and ground flax seeds.
sAvoid foods and drinks that stimulate the intestines. These increases secretion of mucous or prevent the absorption of nutrients.
sSuch as caffeine, Dairy, animal fats, processed foods, chocolate, fatty foods, spicy foods, and sugar free chewing gum.
sBe mindful, when eating *Hot Foods and counter their affects with *Cold Foods.
· Increase water intake: The body needs water to work properly, including the flow of the intestines. Drinking at least half your body weight in ounces is important.
· Probiotics can be beneficial in the treatment of IBS, taking 10 billion to 100 billion beneficial bacteria per day is recommended for beneficial results. However, further research is needed on individual strains of beneficial bacteria for more refined recommendations.
s A number of probiotics have been found to be effective including: Lactobacillus plantaru and Bifidobacteria infantis.
s Some yogurt is made using probiotics that may help ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
· Iberogast: The multi-herbal extract Iberogast was found to be significantly superior to placebo via both an abdominal pain scale and an IBS symptom score after four weeks of treatment.
· Add Calcium and Magnesium. Vitruvian Natural health's Vitamin and Mineral Tea will give your body the needed nutrients for support.
· Take a Digestive Enzyme to strengthen the digestive tract and give relief for IBS
- A combination enzyme will initiate cellular activity, while breaking down toxic substances so that the body can eliminate them without damaging the elimination organs.
- Choose an enzyme with the following combination:
- Protease: Digests protein into amino acids.
- Amylase: Digests complex carbohydrates.
- Lipase: Digests fats and denatured fatty oils.
- Cellulase: Digests fibers from soluble sources.
- Sucrase: Digests complex sugars and starches.
- Maltase: Digests disaccharides to monosaccharides.
- Lactase: Digests lactose or dairy sugars.
- Bromelain: Digests protein.
Essential Oil Help
Studies have been done on the use of Peppermint oil and is widely used for irritable bowel syndrome. It helps reduce the abdominal pain and bloating of irritable bowel syndrome, by blocking the movement of calcium into muscle cells in the intestines and easing excessive muscle contraction there. Peppermint is considered a carminative herb, which means that it is used to eliminate excess gas in the intestines.
The Essential Oils in Vitruvian Natural Health's
per la DIGESTION blend are all supportive in helping combat IBS. Ingredients: Coriander, Dill, Peppermint, Fennel, Ginger Root, and Lemon.
· Rub 2-3 drops on the abdomen, clockwise each night. (Add Carrier oil for sensitive skin.)
· Can also take internally 1 time, each day. Add 2-3 drops to a capsule, and fill with carrier oil.
-Adding 1-3 drops of Essential Oil to drinking water will help with cell to cell communication and help hydrate the body better. Choose oils that support the digestive tract such as Lemon, Fennel, or Peppermint.
-Massage the abdomen with any one of the following oil: per la DIGESTION, Peppermint, or Basil. (If skin is sensitive, mix 2-3 drops in 1-2 teaspoons of carrier oil.) Always massage the abdomen Clockwise, which is the same direction as the digestive system flows.
-For Heartburn associated with IBS, drop 2-3 drops Lemon oil in mouth, swish it back and forth for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then swallow. This will send a message to the digestive system to stop producing stomach acid.
-Add 1-2 drops of Lemon, Peppermint, or per la DIGESTION to 1 cup warm water and 1 teaspoon honey for a Digestion Supportive and relaxing Tea.
-Incorporate a Liver Cleanse each morning to your daily routine. Mix together the following and ingest before eating:
· 1 drop Lemon oil
· 1 drop Peppermint oil
· 1 teaspoon FRESH Lemon juice.
-Oregano can inhibit or destroy bacteria associated with IBS, without destroying good Flora Bacteria.
· Add 2 drops Oregano to Capsule, then fill with carrier oil.
· Take 2x daily, with *Cold Foods for 7-10 days.
*Hot & Cold Foods:
Foods have energies that offer hot, cold, cool, warm or neutral properties and are used to help restore imbalances.
Symptoms associated with cold conditions can be warmed with warm or hot foods.
Symptoms associated with hot conditions can be helped with cool or cold foods.
Exterior conditions can be helped with foods that move outward, warming the exterior, promoting sweating and reducing fever, these are hot pungent & sweet foods. These are good winter foods because of their hot energy and include, black pepper, ginger, red pepper, cinnamon.
Cold foods that move inward are good in summer because they are energetically cold, bitter or salty and include banana, watermelon, clams, crab, kelp, lettuce.
Some typical foods and their thermal properties:
· Cold: Banana, Clams, Kelp, Seaweed, watermelon, tomato, grapefruit.
· Cool: Tofu, wheat, mushrooms, spinach, apples, strawberries, mango, (mostly green leafy vegetables and most fruit)
· Neutral: Beef, white sugar, rice, pork, carrots, apricots, beets,Chinese cabbage, carp, celery, chicken eggs, corn, figs, honey, kidney beans, anise, lotus, papaya.
· Warm: Chicken, raspberries, lamb, shrimp, garlic, coffee, cuttlefish, green onion, guava, organ meats, rosemary, seeds and nuts, wine.
· Hot: Black pepper, black cumin, cinnamon, ginger, green pepper, red pepper beef, nutmeg, mustard, curry.
Labels: Irritable Bowel Syndrome