IBS … It Doesn’t Have To Be A Distress!
You might have read about my nick name (that’s a post worth reading), so I am OK going the distance on the background about my journey. My Junior year of college was my first real IBS experience. I tried to take extra classes, work 2 jobs and eat cereal 3 times a day (cheap and convenient). This combination only equaled disaster and led to many months of discomfort. Taking out the cereal was the best thing that ever could have happened to me.
My symptoms included:
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- A bloated feeling
- Gas
- Diarrhea or constipation – sometimes alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea
- Mucus in the stool
Even though signs and symptoms are uncomfortable, IBS is unlike ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which are forms of inflammatory bowel disease.
You can eliminate IBS completely with diet and life style changes. You do not have to live like this.
As you are making lifestyle changes to relieve stress you can implement these ideas if you experience a flare up.
- Peppermint tea – Drink teas after meal times. This relieves painful cramps and diarrhea.
- Apple cider vinegar – 1 teaspoon in water before meals three times a day. This will aid the stomach to digest food properly so the intestines will not be as taxed.
- Fennel tea – Wonderful for the liver and relieves gas and bloating.
- Ginger tea – Relieves nausea and indigestion. I have been using powdered ginger root with hot water while I have been traveling.
- Licorice tea – Relieves indigestion. This bitter may not be your favorite taste, however will help relieve the pain.
- Carob powder – 1 teaspoon dissolved in a cup of warm water relieves diarrhea. Such a great hot chocolate replacement.
- Ripe bananas and organic pumpkin – Add a bit in with a protein shake to relieve diarrhea.
Also, laying on your left side after you eat, and rubbing essential oils on your stomach can support your intestinal tract to relax.
IBS is not here to stay,
Heather Fleming
P.S Please do not try this cereal 😉
