Treatments
There is no permanent cure for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Treatment only helps reduce or relieve symptoms and improve the condition of life over a period of time.
The treatment of irritable bowel syndrome usually includes these three major measures;
- Lifestyle changes
- Medical treatments
- Psychological therapies
Lifestyle Changes
Making changes in diet [3] and other lifestyle changes can be very helpful in easing the symptoms and improving the condition over time. Here are common lifestyle changes that are usually recommended for people with this condition.
- Dietary changes: these refer to changes to food that help to improve bowel habit and ease symptoms. They include;
- Drinking at least three to four glasses of water per day
- Cutting down on cheese and milk intake
- Eating more fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, etc.
-
Avoiding beverages that contain caffeine.
- Stay away from foods or ingredients that trigger symptoms e.g. red peppers, wheat, red wine, spices, etc.
- Other lifestyle changes: they include;
- Quit smoking
- Rest more, and avoid stressful conditions.
- Stop excessive alcohol intake or binge drinking.
- Exercise or increasing daily physical activity.