9 Easy Natural Home Remedies to Treat IBS

No one likes rushing to the bathroom in the middle of an important meeting. Diarrhea, gas, cramping, or bloating is never a fun experience. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is an unpleasant medical condition. It can often be a cause of great discomfort and embarrassment. For some people, it might be once in a blue moon experience. However, some unfortunate individuals have to deal with this regularly. Different medicines are available to relieve your IBS symptoms. However, for a long time, people have been using natural and easy home remedies for IBS treatment. These involve natural remedies and home treatment techniques. Furthermore, easy changes in your lifestyle can help you manage your IBS in the long run.

Before heading towards the treatment, let’s find out what IBS really is. IBS is basically a group of intestinal symptoms. It is a functional disorder of a part of the large intestine – colon. This is why we also call it irritable colon, or spastic colon. Typically, the symptoms of IBS include bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and cramping. People suffering from IBS can have multiple episodes of diarrhea and constipation. Although the symptoms of bloating and gas go away after a bowel movement, they can always come back.

IBS can often interfere in your day-to-day activities. It can be rather frustrating to deal with. Despite being common, it is not something to stress over. You can try treatment for your IBS symptoms easily with these simple and natural home remedies.

Natural Home Remedies for IBS

It is important to know that everybody is different. Home remedies that worked for your friend’s IBS might not give the same results for you. The idea is to find a remedy that works best for your system. Simply try these home remedies for the treatment of IBS and you’ll surely find what best suits you. Once you do, you can continue their usage to ease your symptoms.

1. Just Relax

This is the most important thing to remember when dealing with IBS. Most of the time, stress and anxiety can elevate and worsen the symptoms. This can often make them unbearable. The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder recommends certain techniques to reduce the symptoms of IBS. Following techniques can release your stress as well as alleviate the symptoms of IBS:

Slow abdominal breathing
Imagining a positive place or a situation.
Progressive relaxation of muscles.

In addition to this, you can try meditation, yoga, or walking to reduce your stress. Stress release is different for different people. Try finding your catharsis by experimenting with different things.

2. Exercise

Exercise is a great way to keep yourself healthy and fit. It also keeps your mental health in check while releasing stress and anxiety. Furthermore, it stimulates the normal contractions of the large intestine. Start a work-out routine and slowly increase your time. The American Heart Association recommends exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. This is an important part of your home treatment for IBS. Staying physically healthy can help your body cope with it. You can try different home remedies to increase your stamina for exercising as well.

3. Eat more Fibre

Home treatment for IBS involves simple changes in your diet and eating lifestyle. You can add healthy nutrients in your diet that can help you improve your digestive system. Fiber is a common component of grain, fruits, and vegetables. It regulates your bowel movement and improves your digestive system. Fibre adds bulks to the stool and makes it easy to pass through the intestines. However, just a warning! While fiber can work wonders for some people, it can worsen the symptoms for others.

Fiber can reduce constipation and diarrhea. However, it may worsen bloating, gas and cramping. Still, doctors recommend a fiber-filled diet for individuals suffering from IBS. Gradually increasing the intake over weeks can help relieve the symptoms. American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) recommends taking psyllium instead of bran for IBS. Psyllium is a type of fiber found in cereals, grains, and baked products.

You can also take fiber supplements instead of dietary fiber. Just make sure to introduce it slowly to your system and drink lots of water. This will help to reduce the symptoms of bloating, gas, and constipation. And that is exactly next in our list of home remedies as well.

4. Keep yourself Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water can help you reduce bloating, gas, and constipation. Replace your drink with fresh juices, lemonade, or natural liquids. Try to avoid carbonated and caffeine beverages. The carbon dioxide present in these beverages can induce gas and bloat. Furthermore, it also stimulates your intestine and causes diarrhea.

5. Try Herbal Treatment

Home remedies involve the use of natural and easy-to-find ingredients. That is why people have been using herbs since ancient times to treat abdominal pain and IBS. Peppermint is a popular herb used to add flavor in tea. American College of Gastroenterology recommends the use of Peppermint to decrease abdominal pain. It has muscle-relaxing and pain-relieving qualities.

Native Americans have been using Slippery Elms in natural remedies to treat several digestive disorders and IBS. It adds bulks to the stool and aids in diarrhea. Furthermore, it also softens it and helps to reduce constipation. Artichoke leaf extracts contain cynaropicrin, which is an antispasmodic compound. Therefore, it regulates bowel movement and reduces diarrhea and constipation.

Lastly, Aloe Vera juice has high water content. This helps to keep the body hydrated and reduces constipation. Using herbal home remedies can not only treat your IBS but also improve the overall health of your digestive system.

6. Fix your Eating Habits

An empty stomach can make the symptoms of IBS worsen. This is the easiest form of IBS home treatment. Simply try NOT to skip your meals. Furthermore, make sure to take your meals around the same time every day. This will regulate your bowel movement and make it easy for you to manage it. If you suffer from diarrhea, try eating small and frequent meals. On the other hand, large meals filled with high-fiber can help deal with constipation.

Keep a check on your eating habits. Certain food can worsen the symptoms of IBS. Stay attentive towards what you eat. Try to identify these food items and remove them from your diet. Normally, fatty foods, junk food, and dairy products worsen the symptoms of IBS. Furthermore, carbonated drinks, alcohol, chocolate, and coffee are also risky for IBS patients. Vegetables and fruits, like cabbage, broccoli, and beans, increase bloating and gas.

Furthermore, IBS symptoms are very common in people with lactose intolerance. In this case, try substituting dairy products with other alternatives. You can switch whole milk with almond, coconut, or soy milk. Fruit sherbet is a good alternative for yogurt and ice cream. Lactose-free cheese is also available in the market for such individuals. You can easily find different home remedies to help you change your eating habits.

7. Check your Favorite Snacks for Allergies

Allergic reactions to food can also be a major cause of IBS. For this reason, try to understand what suits your stomach. It can be tough to let go of your favorite snack. However, this is a sacrifice we must make.

8. Time to say NO to Artificial Sugar

I don’t think I need to go into the details regarding why you need to leave anything artificial. Artificial sugar is one of the most common things we ignore in our diet. Doctors advise us to leave this HIGHLY TOXIC ingredient and shift to natural alternatives. Artificial sugar is associated with a high risk of diarrhea and abdominal issues. It can also elevate your symptoms of IBS and make it worse. Try switching to brown sugar or honey.

9. Don’t overdose on Laxatives

Whenever the symptoms of IBS hit you, you rush to your nearest bathroom. The immediate response of many people is to take a bunch of laxatives or anti-diarrheal medication. In this case, try to take the lowest dose as possible. Take these medicines 20-30 minutes before eating to help prevent the symptoms.

If you haven’t already taken a laxative, its best to avoid it for as long as you can. Although medicines can give instant relief, it’s best to not make your body prone to them as they will only cause problems in the long run.

When to See a Doctor

There are no quick home remedies to fix your IBS symptoms immediately. Gradual changes in your eating habits and lifestyle will help you manage them in the long-run. IBS is a very common digestive disorder. That is why it is best to keep in touch with your doctor or a nutritionist throughout. If you decide to make any changes to your diet, it is best to ask them beforehand.

There is no particular cure for IBS. Home remedies and medication merely relieves the symptoms. Furthermore, if any of the following home remedies worsen your IBS, it is VERY important to contact your doctor immediately. It is important to know that home remedies can only help you manage your IBS. If you fail to take precautions, the problem might become worst and lead to something serious. In this regard, if the problem persists for a longer period of time, it may be an indication of a more severe medical problem. So, it is best to get yourself tested.

Conclusion

IBS can often put you in uncomfortable and awkward situations. However, there is no need to worry. It is one of the most common digestive disorders in the world. The best way to deal with IBS is through the above-mentioned natural home remedies. Also, remember to keep your eating habits in check. Furthermore, try physical activity to calm your nerves and stress. Lastly, it is important to consult your doctor throughout the home treatment for IBS. As we know, this disorder has no permanent cure. However, you can easily manage your symptoms with little care and precaution. Try experimenting with different home remedies until you find the one that works for you.