What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Why You Should Join An Ibs Support Group

Finding relief for IBS shouldn’t only include treatment for physical symptoms such as diarrhea. Your physical body isn’t the only part of you that suffers from irritable bowel syndrome. Your mind and emotions are also dramatically affected by IBS, and shouldn’t be ignored. For this reason, it is a good idea for an IBS sufferer to join a support group.

An IBS support group is an excellent way for an IBS sufferer to cope, learn and share with others all the difficulties they face in their life because of their condition.

The following are a few reasons why joining an IBS support group can help make a difference in your world -

Make Friends – IBS can cause those who suffer from it to feel isolated, often causing them to stop social activities and confining themselves to their home. Isolation usually results from IBS symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and flatulence that can be embarrassing, uncomfortable and debilitating. In addition, some medications for IBS can cause serious side effects that can actually increase isolation feelings.

A support group can help relieve your feelings of isolation when you meet people who understand and truly sympathize with what you are going through, because they suffer the same.

Relieve stress – Many people with IBS have difficulty opening up about their condition to other non-sufferers, including family doctors. The reason is because many people who are unfamiliar with the condition have mixed beliefs about it. In fact, some people don’t even believe IBS exists and think it’s “all in your head”. Thus, not only is it frustrating to live with IBS, it is frustrating to have to explain your condition to those who don’t believe in it or won’t understand. This creates plenty of stress.

Talking to fellow IBS sufferers at a support group about the way you are treated by others and sharing stories, helps to eliminate some of the stress you feel.

Educate yourself – Support groups are a fantastic way to learn about IBS. You can find out about different treatment methods and how a member who has undergone the treatment responded to it. You can learn and discuss latest studies, find out if there are any clinical trials, etc. In addition, support groups can help educate non-sufferers about IBS and provide them with understanding.

How to find an IBS support group

Due to the fact that IBS is a common condition that affects millions of people, there are many support groups available both locally and online. Here is how you can find them -

Local Search

- Ask your health care provider/gastroenterologist about a local support group

- Call your local hospital and ask about support groups in your area

- Do an online search using your city and “ibs support group” as the keywords.

- Start your own support group by making friends with fellow patients in the waiting room who also see your gastroenterologist

Online Search

- Do a general search for IBS and see what you come up with

- Search for the keywords “ibs” or “irritable bowel syndrome” and “forum” or “message boards”, or “online support” (IE. “ibs online support group” or “irritable bowel syndrome message board”)

The following are two great online IBS support group sites -

1. http://ibsgroup.org – The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self Help Group is the largest online support community for people suffering with IBS.

2. http://helpforibs.com – This is another excellent online community where you can learn and find support from fellow sufferers.

An estimated 35 million Americans suffer from IBS, proof you’re not alone. Opening up to others is one of the best ways to cope with IBS. Talking and sharing with those who understand you can make a world of difference.



By: Susan Reynolds

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Irritable bowel syndrome – As the name suggests affects your bowel which is also your large intestine. It is an important part of your digestive system which makes and stores stool. This condition is associated with many symptoms due to which it is termed as syndrome. You may be shocked or surprised by the number of people who are affected by this kind of a problem. IBS cannot be termed as a disease but a functional disorder related to the bowel. Intestinal diseases like ulcerative colitis and Cohn’s disease can damage your intestine but IBS does not harm your intestine through inflammation or any other methods. The key to control this syndrome is to have a healthy and stress free lifestyle. This syndrome puts you through lot of pain and discomfort.

Some common reasons which cause this syndrome are large meals, bloated colon, specific medicines and food. Stress may not be directly related to IBS but if you are suffering from IBS, stress can surely aggravate the situation. It is known that during menstrual periods chances of IBS increases due to change in hormonal pattern. Common symptoms which pinpoint towards IBS are bloated stomach, abdominal pain with cramps, diarrhea, constipation, excess gas/ flatulence, mucus in the stool.

Food becomes an important part when affected by IBS. There is no one food which triggers this problem. Any food which is high in fat, insoluble fiber (which cannot be dissolved in water like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and cereals and caffeine (in any form like carbonated beverages, tea, coffee and even decaf) can cause this problem. Soluble fibers on the other hand are our saviors. They can get through problems like diarrhea and constipation. An increased fiber diet really helps you beat this problem. But excess of anything can be trouble. Other than helping you out from this mess it may push you further into it. There are no specific treatments which can cure IBS problem but by using preventive measure we can relieve the symptoms. A change in ones lifestyle can make a huge difference to fight this condition. Some dietary changes, changes in medicines as well as counter attacking stress-related problem make a lot of difference.

Home Remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Instead of having one large meal, eat small meals which will not add too much stress on your digestive system.

Another method of treating this syndrome is by the use of hypnotherapy. It is one of the drug-free solutions to combat this problem.

Avoid stress by doing some relaxing activities like reading, chatting up with your friends, listening to music and many more.

In dietary changes avoid all the fatty foods like French fries, cheese, ice-cream, chocolate, alcohol and many more.

You can include soluble fiber in your diet such as rice, pasta and noodles, oatmeal, barley, fresh white bread, turnips, sweet potatoes, avocados, papayas and many more.

Drink enough fluids to remain hydrated as well as to have smooth bowel movements.

Avoid gas generating vegetables like beans, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and onions.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.



By: Sharon Hopkins

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So, if you suffer from IBS (or irritable bowel), one of the biggest questions you always face is – What can you eat? What diet will not flare up your symptoms? And what foods will actually help & heal your stomach?

There are many theories and diet programs that have been proposed for Irritable Bowel. In this article I’ll examine the main ones I’ve tried, and then share what has worked for me in my 5 years of first hand research with this condition.

There are no Right or Wrong Foods

The first biggest myth I have to debunk right now, is that of “right foods”. The truth is that there is no right or wrong food.

And every digestive system is unique. And every condition is unique. So, what may have worked for others may not work for you. On the other hand, what works for you may not work for others.

In this article, and the book you may choose to buy, I’ll share some of the common foods and recipes that have been known to work. But the key thing in looking for the right diet with Irritable Bowel is to do this with a sense of experimentation. Track your diet and see what works for you, under what condition.

The other thing is that the food is sometimes related to the problem you’re facing at the moment. For example, if you’re experiencing gassiness at the moment – it’s obviously best to avoid foods that would aggravate that.

Do Soluble Fibers Help Digestion?

You may have read in several books that foods rich in soluble fibers taken in small quantities over time can help IBS patients stabilize their digestive systems. Since it’s one of the most popular theories out there, I gave it a good, hearty shot.

In my case, soluble fibers didn’t help too much – although they didn’t hurt either. I’ve read of several case studies where long term use of soluble fibers has helped improve the strength of the digestive system. In my case, they may have helped slightly – but a huge difference.

My advice to you is to try out soluble fibers – if it hurts, stop within the week. If it helps (or is neutral), then continue this as a lifestyle habit. Make soluble fibers part of 1 or 2 meals each day. So, it may be a safe bet to eat these foods when in doubt:

* Oat/Oat bran

* Dried beans and peas

* Nuts

* Barley

* Flax seed

* Fruits such as oranges and apples

* Vegetables such as carrots

* Psyllium husk

The acid-alkaline balance

Our body has a sensitive balance of acid and acidic content. This is known as the pH balance (you probably remember it from 9th grade chemistry). Usually when we lose this balance we end up getting acidity .

The problem is that almost everything we eat is acidic! Most meat, breads, coffee, soft drinks, and even fruits are acidic … So, how can regain your alkaline balance?

The easiest way is to drink lots of water. Yes, 2-3 liters of water each day will dilute the acidic effect and keep your pH balance normal. If you want to go one step further, drink alkaline drinks. This includes green tea, barley, wheat grass, lemon water, mango/watermelon/apple/guava juice and herb teas.

In the Goodbye IBS! book & bonuses, you’ll find a handy cheat sheet of alkaline foods you can print and stick around the house. This will remind you to fill your diet with alkaline foods that constantly balance your pH. (you can find a mini-version of that bonus report at this URL – http://goodbyeibs.com/diet )

Fresh, Vegetarian Food Is The Easiest To Digest

Have you every left cooked meat outside, in the eat for 72 hours? You know what happens to it … it starts, attracts acterial growth and you generally throw it away, right?

Well, did you know it takes red meat 60-72 hours to pass through your digestive system? And your stomach is hotter and more humid than any environment outside … just imagine what your digestive system has to put through to absorb and process red meat.

White meat takes 40-48 hours to pass through. A little better, but can you still imagine leaving your grilled chicken out in the son for two days?

Cooked vegetables take 24-30 hours to pass.

Uncooked vegetables take 10-15 hours to pass through your intestines.

And finally, fresh fruits take 2-3 hours to go through your system & get absorbed.

What does this mean for you? Should you give up all kinds of meat? Should you become vegetarian?

I don’t know, and I won’t tell you how to live your life. But I will tell you that if you increase your quantities of fresh foods – your stomach will have a considerably easier time working … and your body will have an easier time healing.

I’ve shifted to having about 50% of my diet as fresh or very lightly steamed/cooked food. And I heavily choose fruits & vegetables over meat. If you do have to choose meat, fish is the easiest food to digest. All other meat is much harder for the stomach to digest (if you must, chicken comes first and red meat later).

Research has found that by comparing the digestive systems of humans with herbivores and carnivores … we have almost everything identical with a herbivore. The acidic content in our stomach, the length of the digestive intestine and role of suliva.

You don’t have to blindly shift to a vegetarian diet – but just try adding some fresh fruits & vegetables to your diet. Replace your breakfast with fresh fruits and notice the immediate difference it brings to your digestion and overall energy. After you’ve experienced that lightness & energy, you won’t need any more convincing.

Avoid Common Trigger Foods

If you must blindly follow one instruction from my book, let it be this – avoid these categories of food at all cost. These are proven triggers for IBS symptoms and you should stay away:

* Coffee, tea and other caffeine drinks (For your morning jolt, try replacing coffee with some light exercise or fresh fruits)

* Spicy, oily and fried food (It’s a hard one, but you have to stay off KFC & McDonald’s for a few weeks)

* Dairy foods (cheese, butter, sour cream, cream cheese, milk, cream, half-and half, ice cream, whipped cream, yogurt, frozen yogurt).

* High-fat foods, High-protein foods & red meat (Your body is unable to create the enzymes required to break down fats)

*Gassy Foods (beans, broccoli, cabbage, onions, brussel sprouts, and garlic)

How you eat is more important than what you eat

There are some common guidelines that are the basis of healthy digestion. And chances are you’re probably ignoring these right now. Follow these pieces of advice and you’ll see an immediate way in which food is processed inside you.

First, remember that almost half the digestion happens in your mouth. Saliva is an extremely powerful digestive enzyme. So, when you don’t chew (and just gobble your food down), you’re doubling the work for your intestine. And your sick intestine won’t stick up for that. So, chew each bite for at least 30 seconds and eat in peace … anxiety worsens IBS.

Second, eat only two to three meals a day. If you’re eating natural healthy food, you don’t need more than three small meals in a day. It takes a lot of energy from your body to digest food – so if you keep eating, you’ll spend all your energy in digestion and have no time to actually enjoy that energy for real work. It’s okay to have snacks in between – they help keep the meals small and keep the digestive system on a low-intensity workout all day long.

Third, small meals only. You have to understand the difference between eating for the stomach and eating for the tongue. The body doesn’t need that much to keep going and stay energetic. If you overburden it with three to five large meals in a day, of course the engine will break down. Eat two to three small, regular meals and watch the difference it makes. Planning Your Meals Makes It Easier To Stick To The Right Diet

Here’s something I learnt after several years of stumbling around. When I started planning my meals the night before … I found that I was able to decide what to eat early enough to actually do it.

Plus, very soon I had sheets of information about what I ate, how I responded to it … and my very own cheat sheet for what to eat and what not. If you buy the Goodbye IBS! book, you’ll find your own daily diet tracking sheet to use and a 12 week program to help you easily learn how to use it. (If you’re interested, you can learn more at www.GoodbyeIBS.com/diet )

Why You Should Should Follow This Simple Advice

Now that you’ve read this gigantic article, let me introduce myself. My name is Rachit Dayal and I suffered from IBS for five long years. In that meantime, I got a chance to do a lot of diet experiments on myself.

Initially, my goal was just to figure out what foods won’t trigger my symptoms.But in time, I discovered that there were some foods that actually *helped* my condition. And along with several other treatments I tried over the years, I finally got rid of IBS from my symptom and figure out a diet that allowed me to live my life to the fullest without worrying about a funny tummy.

I wrote a book called “Goodbye IBS!” (you can read more about it at www.goodbyeibs.com/book ), and I’m taking parts of that book and publishing them all over the Internet as articles. My hope is that someone who really needs good IBS advice will be able to read this article and see an improvement in their symptoms within hours.

In the last one year, I’ve sold hundreds of copies of my book and gotten a fantastic response from people who apply these simple principles in their life. Almost everyone who makes an effort notices that their digestion is easier, their symptoms have reduced and their health improves.

These principles are proven. In fact, they’re common sense that seems to be forgotten. If you suffer from the painful conditions of Irritable Bowel, then give yourself a chance and heal.



By: Rachit Dayal

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Do you know what really causes irritable bowel syndrome? Well more importantly you’ll find out this and how to cure IBS naturally. Other symptoms of IBS which you may be experiencing include constipation or chronic diarrhea where it seems like you can’t stop going to the washroom. In this article I’ll explain one of the most common causes of IBS and what you can do to get rid of it.

Why do I have IBS?

Many times people will blame genetics or a diet for the sole cause of IBS, although these can definitely be factors, one of the most common causes is something called Candida. Candida is a yeast that lives in approximately 90% of the population. Although its estimated that everyone has some in their body to varying degrees. For many people this is not a problem. The problem however begins when something triggers the yeast to mutate into an aggressive fungal form where it can start causing problems.

The majority of Candida is in the intestines so you will notice that a person who suffers from Candida overgrowth will typically have digestive problems. In fact digestive problems are one of the major symptoms of Candida. These symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, constipation, digestive pain, shooting pain, burning etc. You can see there is a definite connection between this and IBS. IBS happens to be one of many symptoms caused by Candida.

How do you eliminate Candida?

Well there are many levels, the first level of Candida treatment 9/10 will literally eliminate your IBS. The next phase is to treat the deeper underlying conditions that caused the Candida to appear in the first place and finally creating a balance in the body so you will never encounter Candida again.

The Candida diet is ideal for IBS sufferers because it eliminate all the foods that are common irritants or are known to cause allergic reactions in the body.

Want to know if YOU have Candida? Take our FREE Candida Test Click here, Find out if you are suffering from the Symptoms of Candida or a Yeast Infection.



By: Jessica Dale

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