Irritable bowel syndrome means just that-an irritable, stressed-out bowel. It is usually the result of mental tension causing physical stress, and is also known as a spastic colon
Causes And Symptoms of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome
In irritable bowel syndrome one has cramp-like abdominal pains, a bloated abdomen, constipated stools alternating with diarrhea, and passage of gas. The exact cause is not known but various theories abound. The most prevalent one is that stress not only precipitates this condition, but contributes to its severity. Women have a tendency to fall victim to it more easily than men, because they have a tendency to internalise problems .
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Home Remedies For Irritable Bowel Syndrome
1. Mint Leaves
An infusion made of a handful of mint leaves (taken warm) relieves intestinal spasms and gas. Take half a cup of this infusion every few hours, 3-4 times.
2. Psyllium Seed
Crushed psyllium-seed husk is a natural laxative. Again, this is something most Indian housewives buy with their monthly groceries.
3. Take note of the kinds of food you eat that precipitate an attack. Eliminate them from your diet and re-introduce them slowly, one at a time once a week, to confirm what triggers the problem. Sore people have lactose intolerance and react to milk products. Try eating fresh unsweetened yoghurt made from cow’s milk. Add a little roasted, coarsely pounded cummim seeds and a pinch of rock salt to your yoghurt.
4. Reduce fats in your dirt, as fat stimulates colon contractions that worsen already irritable bowels.
5. Avoid Coffee
There are some resins in the coffee bean other than caffeine which can cause the irritation.
6. Cut out smoking, red wine and beer from your diet.
7. Add natural fibre to your diet. Eat wholegrain wheat flour with its husk, oat bran, vegetables, cooked beans, pulses and guar gum. Too much fibre can sometimes produce gas, so if you are not used to it, and have been living on refined carbohydrates, introduce these slowly. Give your system time to adjust. With fibre you need to drink a lot of fluids, do not have it just before or after your meal. You also need 6-7 glasses of water a day.
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