A Guide to Alternative Therapies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, you most certainly are not alone. It is a very common condition, and although there are no known causes of the disorder there are a few factors that are known as being able to trigger or aggravate attacks.

In people suffering from the disorder, the nerves and muscles in the bowel appear to be extra sensitive, and as a result of this, the muscles may contract too much when the person eats. In turn this tends to cause cramping and bloating, from mild to severe depending on the particular case. Or the nerves may also react when the bowel stretches and this too often results in cramping and pain.

Alternative Therapies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Although the most commonly used treatments for irritable bowel syndrome involve prescription medication, there are also many alternative therapies for irritable bowel syndrome that you can use. This is important because a lot of people are not fond of the more conventional methods and would rather a more natural, alternative method of treatment to help their condition.

There are a few alternative therapies for irritable bowel syndrome, one being to change your diet. This may seem like a rather simple treatment, but it is really one of the most effective. Food is one of the most aggravating factors in this disorder, and so by determining which foods are causing you problems you will be able to relieve your symptoms greatly.

Changing your eating habits is a key factor in fighting this ailment and in particular you should stay away from foods that are filled with artificial flavors, colorants and preservatives. This is because these sorts of foods result in increasing the amount of waste that your kidneys and intestines have to deal with, thereby aggravating your existing condition.

Another of the best alternative therapies for irritable bowel syndrome involves fiber. This is definitely one thing that you need to add to your diet, because fiber helps to soften the stools and make bowel movements easier to pass. Just make sure that you increase your intake of fiber gradually rather than all at once, so your body has time to adjust to the change.

If you begin taking a large amount of fiber all at once you risk heightening the symptoms of your condition, in particular constipation.

Alternative therapies for irritable bowel syndrome are usually quite effective but if your condition is more serious you may need to use other methods of treatment as well.