Diet, stress relief key in fighting irritable bowel syndrome


Mar. 2--If you are one of the estimated 45 million Americans suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, new research indicates successful treatment may be more than revamping your eating habits.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is characterized by gastrointestinal distress such as cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. While IBS does not harm the intestines or lead to chronic disease such as cancer, for many people it is a disabling disorder that can prevent them from participating in normal activities such as work, social events and traveling.

The first line of treatment for IBS involves diet management, in order to identify and eliminate trigger foods from one's diet. Certain foods such as caffeine, alcohol, whole grains, chocolate and hard-to-digest fruits and vegetables may worsen symptoms of IBS. Each person is different, so it may be a matter of identifying which foods exacerbate the symptoms for you.

Another line of treatment involves the use of medications or fiber supplements. However, this is a treatment option to discuss with your primary care physician.

While we know diet and medicine may help, another key piece of the puzzle is stress. Those with IBS are more likely to have depression or anxiety. Of course, depression, anxiety and stress may cause IBS or IBS may cause these issues. Either way, management of depression, anxiety and stress has been shown to alleviate symptoms.

Now, new research by the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and prominent medical professors from New York and North Carolina indicates that cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, may offer effective relief.

CBT is a type of psychotherapy that uses the power of cognition (the mind) to replace unhealthy behaviors and beliefs with healthy ones. Relaxation and distraction techniques are often used in CBT. In the research conducted found that individuals receiving weekly CBT for 10 weeks and even those receiving monthly CBT in combination with at-home relaxation techniques showed significant improvement in IBS symptoms.

So, it appears that a multi-factorial approach is proving best as far as effective treatment of IBS. Working with your primary care physician, a dietitian and a psychotherapist will likely enable you to manage IBS the most successfully.

For more information on IBS and various forms of therapeutic treatment, contact a multi-disciplinary psychotherapy center such as the Southlake Center for Self Discovery in Davidson at (704) 896-7776. Ask your doctor about other treatment options, referrals and medications.

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