IBS can be painful, inconvenient, and even embarrassing to live with, preventing those with the chronic condition from living their best lives. The desire for a “normal” life often prompts people with IBS to try prescription medications, many of which come with dangerous adverse effects, or side effects that can be just as bad as the condition itself. If you’re looking for a more natural approach to managing your IBS symptoms, here are a few non-pharmaceutical options to explore that might be just what you need to relieve symptoms without worrying if you’re putting your health at risk.
Like many chronic conditions that medical science hasn’t yet discovered the origin or cure for, the key to managing the condition often lies in your diet and lifestyle. Remember that everybody’s body is just a little bit different—keep the phrase, “Your mileage may vary” in mind, and try keeping a daily journal to keep track of patterns in triggers—like food, stress, or activities—that aggravate (or alleviate) your symptoms.
Fiber. This one can be tricky, because IBS can manifest with diarrhea, constipation, or mixed symptoms, so in some cases, more fiber might just be throwing fuel on the fire. Try maintaining a constant daily fiber intake and keep track of whether fiber improves or aggravates your symptoms, and adjust your fiber intake once you know how your body reacts to it.
Stay fueled & hydrated. Skipping meals can be disastrous for IBS sufferers, because your digestive system needs to maintain as much constancy as possible—think of regular meals and hydration as your digestive system’s “circadian rhythm.” Smaller meals consumed regularly and plenty of water can help your intestine stay on track, especially if you limit the amount of caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages you consume.
Peppermint oil. This is a herbal treatment that promises real relief for IBS, as it’s believed to be an anti-spasmodic that provides the same type of relief as many prescription meds—but more safely. While peppermint oil may not directly impact symptoms like diarrhea or constipation, it can reduce their frequency and alleviate IBS pain.
Whether you choose to add more fiber to your diet, add in probiotics, digestive enzymes, or herbal supplements, try hypnotherapy, or give acupuncture a whirl, there are a lot of natural approaches to managing your IBS that don’t include the use of prescription meds. The biggest advantage of exploring this approach to managing IBS is the most obvious: you’re not putting yourself at risk for dangerous pharmaceutical side effects or spending a lot of money on expensive prescription meds. But even better: you might also find the right combination of diet, lifestyle, and supplements that helps you live your best life with just a few tweaks to your daily routine.
