Dont let your new diagnosis bring you down.
Experts are here to help you tackle the new diagnosis.
But it can also leave you with plenty of questions.
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What Is IBS?
The etiology of IBS is unknown, and there can be so many causes, she adds.
These changes may include shifts in the frequency of bowel movements or variations in stool appearance.
5 Things Experts Recommend for IBS
1.
Manage Your Stress
An irritable brain can lead to an irritable gut, says El-Chebli.
El-Cheblis top recommendation for managing IBS?
Find ways to reduce and managestress, which will lead to improved digestive processes.
While we cant snap our fingers and wish stress away, there are ways we can reduce it.
This mindfulness can jump-start the digestion, allowing your body to better digest food.
Explore different stress-relief techniques to find what works best for you.
For more inspiration, check out our7 Science-Backed Ways to Relieve Stress in 10 Minutes or Less.
He suggests incorporating afiber supplement, which can benefit both constipation- and diarrhea-predominant IBS patients.
He recommends either Benefiber or Metamucil.
Studies show thatsoluble fiber, not insoluble fiber, is most effective at improving IBS symptoms.
Soluble fiber works by turning into a gel in your digestive tract and slowing down digestion.
Keep a Journal
Be your own detective.
This data can be helpful for both your dietitian and physician, she says.
It’s one of the most recommended and effective dietary interventions for managing IBS.
The American College of Gastroenterology recommends that the diet be implemented in three steps, explains Ansari.
First, implement a restriction period for these foods lasting no more than four to six weeks.
After this, gradually reintroduce the foods one at a time.
Finally, adjust the amounts of these foods based on any symptoms experienced during the reintroduction phase.
Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet rich in whole foods is your best defense in managing IBS.
Here are some other things you could do to support your digestive health if you have IBS.
The Bottom Line
Receiving an IBS diagnosis can feel overwhelming at first.
Remember to work closely with your health care team to tailor these suggestions to your own needs.
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Medline Plus.Soluble vs. insoluble fiber.
American College of Gastroenterologist.Low-FODMAP.
2020;12(1):148. doi:10.3390/nu12010148
Gibney MJ.Ultra-Processed Foods: Definitions and Policy Issues.Curr Dev Nutr.
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