There is no known cure for IBS. We know that digestive issues can be very difficult to manage. They can be urgent, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore. They can have a huge impact on your quality of life with many people avoiding new situations in case they get caught short trying to find a bathroom, while others avoid lots of types of foods because they fear the consequences.
While medications can be taken for certain individuals to address symptoms, research has shown that lifestyle changes are most effective.
The following are some of my top tips for managing digestive issues caused by conditions like IBS.
Diet
Identify foods that trigger issues for you. Many people see an improvement in symptoms when they follow a diet known as the Low FODMAP diet. This diet should be undertaken in conjunction with a dietitian or another medical professional. This diet has seen some good results with between 50-80% of people experiencing an improvement of their symptoms. The FoodMarble AIRE device was actually designed to help people identify how they respond to FODMAP foods as well as document their symptoms and progress.
Stress
There is a correlation between stress and increased digestive issues and IBS symptoms. It is important to introduce practical daily steps to help relieve your stress. This may include things such as meditation or practising mindfulness. Setting aside as little as 10 or 15 minutes each day can make a big impact.
Sleep
Ensuring you get enough sleep is vital to keeping your gut digestion in order. Although the amount of sleep we require changes through our life cycle, adults should in general be aiming for 7-9 hours per night. A lack of sleep can have an impact on a number of aspects of our health but in particular it can have a big impact on our stress levels as well as our gut wellbeing.
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Photo Credit
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
FoodMarble is the world’s first personal hydrogen breath tester. It is a pocket-sized breath analysis device. It helps people with chronic digestive issues determine the foods that work best with their digestive system. To learn more about FoodMarble, visit www.foodmarble.com.
