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Do you suffer from persistent digestive issues like indigestion, a bloated stomach, diarrhea and stomach pain? Then this could point to irritable bowel syndrome.
Irritable bowel is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions, and it can turn even a simple meal with friends into a burden. However, the exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome can't be reliably identified, which also makes medical treatment of the symptoms difficult.
The symptoms can only be relieved short-term with medication for irritable bowel. But that doesn't mean it's impossible to sustainably improve your digestive complaints. What to do about irritable bowel and which remedies can help you, I'll show you in this article.
Irritable bowel syndrome - when no organic causes can be found
In the first part of our 3-part blog series on gut health you already learned that the gut is the center of your health. Your gut has a strong influence on your health and also on your fitness. But what should you do if you suffer from digestive complaints?
Have you been suffering for a longer period from symptoms like
- indigestion
- diarrhea
- constipation
- a bloated stomach
- flatulence and
- stomach pain?
Then I recommend seeing a doctor. They'll run tests such as a blood test or a gastroscopy and/or colonoscopy and intolerance tests (e.g. lactose and gluten) to find the exact cause of your symptoms and offer you targeted treatment.
If, however, no organic causes such as inflammation are found, doctors can only offer treatment for the individual irritable bowel symptoms. Medication for acute symptoms like diarrhea or bloating only creates a moment of relief and can't solve the problem permanently.
Irritable bowel - an incurable condition?
In 2017 I myself struggled with serious gastrointestinal complaints due to a parasite infection. I know what it's like to be torn out of your usual life, unable to manage normal everyday tasks.
Originally I was diagnosed with a colon condition called lymphocytic colitis, which is considered incurable. But my experience taught me that problems shouldn't lead you to give up. So I started researching my condition and its causes.
Through my further efforts, and based on a blood test, it eventually turned out that I had a parasite. With the help of a naturopath and a juice cleanse, antibacterial and antiviral remedies like garlic extract, and supplements specifically aimed at chronic gut conditions, I was able to kill the parasite.
What I want to tell you with this is: while doctors may only predict slim chances of healing for irritable bowel syndrome, and that can be sobering, it doesn't mean the cause of your irritable bowel syndrome can't be found! Rather, an irritable bowel diagnosis requires patience.
Finding causes and healing irritable bowel sustainably
It takes patience to find and avoid the triggers behind your symptoms. Because the gut is a complex organ influenced by a wide variety of factors. Irritable bowel can genuinely have all kinds of causes. Digestive disorders develop mainly through factors like an unbalanced diet, too little movement, and the psyche also has a big influence. Stress, anxiety and depression can overwhelm the gut.
I advise you to stick with it and try different things. I'm happy to support you with this in Personal Training. The following remedies for irritable bowel can tackle the problem at its root and lead to lasting improvement:
What to eat with irritable bowel?
Since the gut's main job is digesting food, it makes sense that the right diet can relieve irritable bowel symptoms and boost your wellbeing.
Your gut may well be sensitive to many foods. But to relieve the symptoms, this doesn't mean you have to give up a lot. Rather, it's about integrating the right foods into your diet. Fiber-rich foods in particular can do your gut a lot of good:
- Fruit and vegetables
- Whole grain products
- Flaxseed and psyllium husk (combined with enough fluid)
To protect your gastrointestinal tract from strong irritants that make digestion harder, I recommend avoiding alcohol and caffeine, or at least reducing your consumption. Instead, drink plenty of water and unsweetened herbal teas. Spicy food, refined flour products, sugar and lactose-containing dairy products can also burden the gut. These are essentially already simple, easy-to-apply home remedies for irritable bowel.
Microbiological preparations (probiotics) for irritable bowel
Since irritable bowel is often linked to an imbalance of gut bacteria, meaning a disruption of the gut flora, microbiological preparations (probiotics) can help relieve your symptoms. Microbiological preparations with bacterial strains naturally found in the gut don't just help with acute symptoms, but also long-term, and can relieve several irritable bowel symptoms at once.
Probiotic foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha or apple cider vinegar can also help bring your gut flora back into balance.
Relieving irritable bowel symptoms through physical activity
Regular physical activity can also have a positive effect on irritable bowel symptoms. Physical movement stimulates your metabolism, which in turn helps reduce bloating and resolve constipation.
Physical movement also has a positive effect on your psyche. Studies show that around 40 to 60% of people affected by irritable bowel syndrome suffer from mental health conditions like stress, anxiety or depression. With regular movement and exercise, you can actively reduce anxiety disorders as well as depression and fatigue.
Relaxation exercises like autogenic training, yoga and meditation can also positively affect your psyche when you regularly integrate them into your everyday life. In Personal Training Zurich, I'm happy to show you how you can already achieve improvements in your symptoms with light, regular physical activity, and I support you with mental coaching on the mental level as well.
Let's improve your irritable bowel symptoms together, sustainably
Through my personal experience with persistent gastrointestinal complaints, I know how frustrating it can be when the cause of your symptoms can't be found right away.
As your personal trainer, I'll accompany you on your journey to find the causes of your irritable bowel complaints. Together we'll try different things and manage to improve your wellbeing through physical activity and the right nutrition.
Book a free, no-obligation 30-minute consultation with me. I look forward to meeting you.