The symptoms of IBS can be life altering. Stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea alternating with constipation over the course of days, weeks or even months. Add in the embarrassing flatulence plus urinary tract problems such as frequently needing to pee and the bladder not fully emptying and you may not want to even leave the house, if you still can. The symptoms of IBS can be painful and unpredictable. The pain can be so intense it can interfere with sleep and lead to a lack of concentration and induce fainting and vomiting. That’s a lot of control for a disease that’s treatment is more trial and error and less scientific.
Food and Trigger Journal
Even the simple act of keeping a food journal to help identify and eliminate trigger foods cuts into living your life. Knowing what foods to avoid an IBS flare-up can help you get out more. You might even be able to eat in a restaurant. Sometimes the triggers remain unknown, but common triggers include alcohol, caffeine and certain foods such and spicy or greasy foods. Stress and anxiety can also bring on IBS so be sure to note down any times of high stress and how your body reacted.
Without Warning
Symptoms can come on without warning. Some sufferers plan their outings around toilet access and carry spare clothing with them for any accidents. Waking up early after little to no sleep to ensure a bowel movement before leaving the house doesn’t help with concentration and can even impact someone’s ability to drive and what types of employment are available.
Bloating
Another embarrassing symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the bloating. The stomach swelling up is painful and can make someone look like they are pregnant.
Medication
There isn’t a specific diet or medication to treat IBS. It is a case of trial and error. Easement of symptoms may be down to a range of lifestyle and diet changes with medications that target IBS and relieve it. Click pharmacy has a range of medications to help ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. They are available online without fuss or embarrassment and delivered discreetly to help you get on with life.
What to Avoid?
Skipping meals or eating portions quickly can lead to a flare-up. Sometimes you don’t always have time to eat or wolf down something too fast so you can get on with what you were doing. This will catch up to you later. It may be tempting to perk up with an extra cup of tea or coffee, especially after losing sleep, but don’t drink more than three cups per day.
Other Medical Conditions
The symptoms of IBS can be very similar to a more serious underlying health condition, such as bowel cancer. There is no specific test for IBS but tests need to be done to rule out a more serious problem. Seek urgent medical advice if you have lost a lot of weight without trying, there’s unexplained blood from your bottom or in your poo, hard lump or tummy swelling or shortness of breath.
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