Colon Cleanse for IBS Symptoms

If you have severe IBS symptoms, you may be experiencing little success from taking laxatives and managing your fiber intake. It may be that your body has grown accustomed to the laxatives that you have been consuming and that they are losing their effect. There is, however, one more treatment option that you can consider a colon cleanse. According to naturopathic practitioners, colon cleanse is highly suitable for those who suffer from severe IBS symptoms.

A colon cleanse is about cleansing the intestines. It is believed that cleaning the colon is just as important to cleaning other parts of the body. A dirty colon can become toxic and this may be why your digestive system becomes irritable causing IBS symptoms. A dirty colon can be the result of you eating processed foods or foods that are not healthy and/or having unhealthy eating habits. When your colon cannot eliminate the toxins effectively, it becomes overburdened and toxins accumulate.

Even with colon cleansing, there are several ways that you go about it. A colon cleanse can begin with taking natural supplements as well as power drinks. These drinks usually contain different herbs and medications that work together to give you the results that you desire. If you choose this route of colon cleansing, you may have to avoid certain foods during the cleansing process for maximum results. Before purchasing these power drinks, it is advisable to check with your health care provider first. Also ensure that these drinks contain the best quality ingredients.

Spices and special herbs may also be used for colon cleanse. Some foods have calming results on your digestive system, too. These foods include rhubarb, peppers, ginger, and garlic. These items will help to cleanse the digestive system, which aids in easier bowel movements.

Many who have undergone colon cleansing for their IBS symptoms claim that it is an effective form of treatment. Not only are they reducing the severity and frequency of their IBS symptoms, they are also experiencing better overall health. There are of course skeptics who do not believe in colon cleanse or any form of cleansing. They say that your body is equipped to colon cleanse toxins on its own and need no extra help.

Still, if you have no luck with other forms of treatment for your IBS symptoms, it does not hurt to find out more about colon cleansing from your doctor. Make sure you let him know about the exact symptoms that you are currently having and the current method of treatment, whether laxatives or otherwise, that you are on.

Sandra Kim Leong
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/colon-cleanse-for-ibs-symptoms-105147.html

How To Find Relief From Ibs Constipation

A person, who suffers from irritable bowel syndrome, primarily suffers from one of three symptoms.

1. Diarrhea
2. Alteration of diarrhea and constipation
3. Constipation

Although, it is less common for a person with IBS to suffer from predominant constipation than diarrhea, for those who do, there are ways to find relief from constipation, abdominal pain and bloating.

There are different treatment options – both medicinal and alternative remedies -for those who suffer from constipation. The following is information regarding diverse treatments and what you need to know about each.

Diet
Constipation symptoms may be caused by specific foods that are being ingested. Therefore, try keeping a food diary to find out what foods may not only be making constipation worse, but may help to relieve your symptoms.

For instance, gluten is recognized as one of the leading causes of constipation in IBS sufferers. Therefore, a gluten-free diet may help alleviate symptoms. In order to eliminate gluten from your diet ensure you read food labels to see if gluten is among listed ingredients. However, keep in mind that gluten-free foods tend to be low in fiber. Therefore, you may require other sources of fiber such as eating more fruits and vegetables.

If you are considering a gluten-free diet it’s a good idea to consult a dietitian to find out how effective this diet control is for constipation.

Fiber supplements
Fiber supplements are designed to add bulk to the stool so that waste can travel faster through the intestines. That being said fiber supplements need to be taken with great care, as problems can occur.

For instance, inundating the boy with fiber without sufficient water intake, can cause bloating, gas and make constipation worse. It is imperative to drink plenty of water when taking fiber supplements because fiber absorbs water.

Furthermore, natural fiber sources, such as bran, can aggravate the stomach of an IBS sufferer. This is because bran contains high amounts of wheat and gluten which are not tolerated well by an IBS stomach.

Nonetheless, the right fiber supplement taken as recommended may be helpful in relieving constipation in some sufferers. Fiber supplements such as Metamucil, Konsyl or Citrucel can be found in pharmacies, but it is a good idea to talk to your doctor first and learn more about supplements before starting treatment.

Laxatives
Laxatives are an effective short-term solution for relieving constipation. However, there are different types of laxatives and some are stronger than others. Although laxatives may work in the body differently, depending on the type, each is designed to soften stool so it can slide easier through the intestines. One such laxative that is often recommended to IBS sufferers is milk of magnesia. This is a gentle laxative that is known as a hydrating agent and causes the intestines to retain more water to soften stool.

Laxatives are not recommended for long-term use and can be habit forming. If laxatives are taken for long periods of time, the body will eventually develop immunity and require stronger laxative methods. Prolonged used of laxatives can also make constipation worse and make the body laxative-dependent. Furthermore, be advised that stimulant laxatives such as Ex-lax are powerful and very hard on the system.

Make sure you investigate different over-the-counter laxative products, and speak to your doctor about laxative treatment before using this remedy.

Prescription drugs
Consider talking to you doctor about prescription medication for relief of constipation. Zelnorm is one of the newer drug treatments for IBS constipation and works by increasing stool movement in the bowels. Zelnorm has been found to effectively alleviate abdominal pain, bloating and constipation, and is only prescribed for short-term use.

Finally, regular exercise and drinking plenty of water helps to relieve constipation, and are natural remedies that can be used with any form of constipation treatment.

Susan Reynolds
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-to-find-relief-from-ibs-constipation-112945.html