Changing Your Diet May Help with IBS Symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome is marked by abdominal pain and constipation and/or diarrhea. Other symptoms include feeling bloated, gas, stomach gurgling and the discharge of mucus from the rectum. While IBS’s symptoms are known, its causes are somewhat of a mystery. Physicians have attributed this condition to many factors, including gastrointestinal infection; bacterial growth in the small intestine; and food intolerances.

Thankfully, you can control what you eat and thus alleviate the impact of IBS on your daily life. First, you should identify what foods cause discomfort and either reduce how much of those foods you consume or eliminate them from your diet completely if possible. For example, people can react negatively to the consumption of grains, nuts, seed oils and dairy. Caffeine has also been known to trigger symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Additional advice includes eating smaller meals, avoid missing meals and avoiding high fat foods. Soluble fiber should be consumed since it contributes to digestive health and allows a person to regulate their bowel movements better.

For more information on IBS and it can be treated, contact San Francisco Gastroenterology.