Irritable bowel syndrome is generally a digestive disorder, more so an unsettled and upset stomach. The usual symptoms are stomach pain, cramps and changes in the routine function of bowels. The person suffering from it may have bloated stomach, gas, loose motions or severe constipation. In the United States, one in every five adults suffers from irritable bowel syndrome. Being a compulsive functional abdominal turmoil, no constructive abnormalities are observed on X-Ray reports or in the blood samples of the sufferer.
The symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome are borne together for weeks, i.e. you may have the characteristic symptoms for at least a period of 10 to 12 weeks in a particular year. Common Symptoms are as follows:
• Severe pain in the stomach or abdominal area, which is relieved by passing of motions.
• Drastic changes in the routine bowel movements.
• Change in the colour or structure of the stools.
• Loss of appetite & indigestion of food.
• Severe back pain.
Some natural and organic remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome are:
1. Use of peppermint oil - Peppermint oil is known to lessen the stomach cramps or abdominal pain. It also reduces the bloated feeling, which is typical of the disorder, probably by restricting the progress of calcium into the muscular cells in the intestinal region. Thus reducing too much muscular contraction in the area. Peppermint is a sort of ayurvedic herb, which helps to get rid of excessive gas in the stomach. Medical reports suggest that peppermint is more powerful than any other local remedies. The oil is easily available in different forms, but consumption of the oil should necessarily be in capsule form, to avoid heartburn. Overdose of peppermint oil may cause vomiting, heart ailments, brain disorders, kidney failures and even death.
2. Intake of probiotic supplements - Some live bacteria are present in our digestive zones and vaginal area, these friendly natural micro-organisms, also known as probiotics, are extremely useful as they restrict the growth of destructive bacteria, thereby boosting the immune system, protecting the digestion tracts and promoting the production of Vitamin K. The people suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome have an unequal balance of friendly bacteria and gas-creating harmful bacteria. People taking ‘B.infantis’ medication doses or other probiotic supplements are said to have relatively lesser abdominal pains, bowel irritations and gas problems.
3. Food Restrictions - Many adults with irritable bowel syndrome are not tolerant to specific food categories. Mostly they include alcohol, dairy products, pulses, caffeine, wheat and grains. Food intolerance may eventually lead to irritable bowel syndrome, mainly by activating immune reactions in the stomach that are inflammatory in nature. Therefore a balanced and controlled diet can be suggested, eliminating the intolerant foodstuffs. Grains being a major trigger, digestion of carbohydrates should necessarily begin in the mouth itself by thorough chewing of food-grains.
4. Visit to the doctor - Last but not the least it is always safe to take a medical opinion by expert specialists who deal with bowel problems and IBS in particular.
