Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is an extremely uncomfortable sensation in the abdomen that may involve diarrhea or constipation. The abdominal pain is often accompanied by flatulence and a feeling of constantly being full and somewhat nauseous. While IBS pain is distressing, there are several ways to effectively minimize and resolve the pain associated with the health condition and help restore some sense of normalcy to the daily routine.
One of the best ways to contain IBS pain is to keep a daily food journal. Doing so makes it possible to identify which foods seem to aggravate the condition and which ones do not. Along with the type of food, include the quantity consumed at each meal and a description of any type of discomfort that occurs as well. This can help you determine which foods seem to bring on a stomachache, which ones trigger gas and bloating, and which ones lead to bouts of constipation and diarrhea. The collected data will make it much easier to determine what you should and should not consume at any give meal.
A heating pad is one effective home remedy that works for many people dealing with IBS pain. When possible, lying on the back and applying a heating pad directly to the stomach area for a half hour or so can help bring about relief from many of the symptoms associated with the condition. It is a good idea to have some type of thin cloth between the skin surface in order to minimize the chances of burning the skin. In addition, using deep heating rubs on the skin in conjunction with the heating pad will not increase the effectiveness of the process; in fact, doing so will increase the chances of sustaining a burn to the area.
Some people suffering with any form of gastroenteritis find that the consumption of peppermint oil can help ease the symptoms associated with pain from IBS. The oil can be taken as a capsule along with water, or made into a soothing tea. While peppermint oil does help to calm the pain, it may also increase the possibility of experiencing heartburn in a few people.
The properties of some antidepressant drugs are effective with some instances of IBS pain. Generally, the dosage prescribed for Irritable Bowel Syndrome is significantly lower than when using the medication to treat depression. The benefits do not usually appear until the medication has been taken for at least a couple of weeks.
Antispasmodic medications are also effective when dealing with pain from IBS. Drugs of this type help to relax the muscles found in the intestinal tract and stomach, relieving some of the constant tension and pressure caused by IBS. In many cases, the medication is taken thirty minutes to an hour before eating and will help minimize or even eliminate the symptoms.
Working with your doctor will help you determine the exact range of symptoms related to your IBS pain as well as identify any ancillary health issues that may be impacting the severity of your symptoms. A qualified physician can determine what course of treatment will be most effective in your case and make it possible for you to manage the pain while you move toward recovery.
