Irritable bowel syndrome/Bloating management

WARNING: Please consult your health care provider before starting any new treatments, supplements, medications, herbal or alternative treatments.

Irritable bowel syndrome can manifest in teenage years to middle life and later. It is more common in women as compared to men. Most common symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, cramping, changes in bowel habits, flatulence and associated anxiety. There is no cure for Irritable bowel syndrome in current medical literature.

Here is a Holistic approach to management of some of the symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome:

1. Maintain Food diary for 30 days to evaluate for potential food triggers.

2. Exclusion Dietary trials can be useful like Lactose free diet or Gluten free diet or Paleo diet. All these diets should be tried for 4-6 weeks to evaluate for any potential benefit.

3. Peppermint herbal tea 1-2 glasses a day may be helpful is some.

4. Peppermint oil aromatherapy may help in some others.

5. Benefits of yogurt as a probiotic can be utilized for 4-6 weeks. Lactose Intolerant patients can try almond or soy milk yogurt.

6. Can use some probiotics shakes or Kefir twice daily for 4-6 weeks. (If proven to be Lactose Tolerant)

The above tips may be helpful in managing some of Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms in some patients.

As always, consult your health care provider before starting any new medication, supplements or alternative medications.

Cheers