Causes and Triggers to Your IBS Symptoms
by Sandra Kim Leong
Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a condition that many people suffer from. This condition is when your colon is irritable or spastic. Examples of IBS symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, gas, or cramping.
Abnormal Nerve Function
Nerves control how the muscles move in the large intestine. Normally a signal is sent from the nerves to the intestinal muscles when food enters the intestine. The nerves come from the brain to nerves in the intestine. They give the signal to the muscles to move the food further down the GI tract.
Unfortunately, though, if you are stressed, anxious, or depressed your nerves may work abnormally. They fail to work properly and may send an unnecessary signal. Several unnecessary signals will cause diarrhea. If the nerves just do not send a signal at all then constipation may occur. Any signal change will cause changes in your digestive system.
IBS symptoms are mainly two, diarrhea and constipation. These two symptoms are produced by nerves that work abnormally. The severity of these IBS symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, but the cause of the symptoms is much the same.
Your environment can also trigger the nerves to malfunction. Some environmental factors that can trigger IBS symptoms include changes in diet, smoking, and traveling. Stress is a major trigger of IBS symptoms, too. It is important that you learn to deal with the demands of your life so that your digestive system will work correctly and you will not have symptoms.
Changing Dietary Habits
Not all IBS patients are alike and not everyone shares the same symptoms. It stands to reason that not all IBS patients will respond to the same diet or medications either. That is why you need to not give up when you try a diet and it does not work. You may do well on a high fiber diet, but another sufferer may do better on a bland diet. Learning and determining what works for you is the key to controlling your IBS symptoms.
Your doctor should talk to you about dietary changes that you need to make. Keeping a record of the foods that you eat and the symptoms you experience can help your physician to determine what kinds of foods that you eat and what foods may be triggering your IBS symptoms.
Reducing Your Stress Levels
Behavioral therapy is one way that you can help to reduce your stress level. This therapy gives you tools to change the way you respond to situations so that you will not become anxious or stressed. This therapy can make a big difference in the severity and frequency of your IBS symptoms.
Adding calming influences to your life is another way to reduce your stress. Medication is a calming influence and may be needed to help you with your stress. You will find that decreasing your stress level will have a big impact on your IBS symptoms.
About the author:
Sandra Kim Leong used to suffer from constipation for many years. She now researches and writes on IBS Symptoms. For more information, please visit her site at http://www.ibs-treatment-options.com .
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