IBS - irritable bowel syndrome - help!?

I am dieting and am finding more and more foods that react with IBS. Anyone have ideas on how to sooth this. I have the more severe type, and it does not affect my weight! Wish it would.

So would love to know how to get rid of the bloating, the swelling, the pain, nausia and other fun and wonderful times of emergancy bathroom breaks.

I have now discovered even orange juice sets it off, besides milk.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Magpie

You should try some probiotics, such as Dannon Activia (a yogurt available at the grocery store), Align, Flora-Q, VSL #3. These will help balance the bacteria in your intestines, and that may help with your problems. Remember that with probiotics, you may get worse before you get better, so it may not seem to help in the first few days. That is normal, and you have to stick with it for a couple weeks before you give up on it. If it works for you, then you have to keep taking it every day.

Orange juice can be a problem because of the citric acid. Other juices like apple juice can be a problem because they contain sorbitol (cherries and pears have sorbitol too). Another trigger can be fructose, so any kind of fruit might be a problem. There are a lot of triggers, but they are different for everyone. Some people even have problems with vegetables like lettuce or tomatoes or corn.

Are you on any medication? Have you seen a nutritionist?
My friend has this condition, and is on both.

Seems the nutritionist really helps alot with the diet situation.

Check your local area, or with your Dr. or hospital for a recommendation.

good luck

i was having similar problems, one dr. told me it was i.b.s. so i did the diet....cutting out dairy, processed foods, red meat etc...turns out i have non-specific colitis. anywho.....there were only two things that didn't make me as sick...
applesauce (no sugar added....as natural as i could find) and tomato soup....although i wasn't suppose to eat the soup i still remember the evening i had a bowl and it...pardon the expression....didn't come out either end. i will find some links for you and will repost them.

Have you been tested for Celiac's disease? it is an intolerance to gluten and produces the symptoms you just mentioned. I think it is VERY often misdiagnosed as IBS, etc.

I think it is far more common than people think, the gluten intolerance. Anywho, talk to a doctor about it, and they should be able to test for that! Good luck!

Some detoxification would help to deal with the toxins in your gastrointestinal tract. Also, probiotics would help. You should see a naturopathic doctor if you want to deal with IBS in a natural way, rather than depend on drugs or medications.

Definately get tested for Celiac desease - it is often misdiagnosed as IBS. I asked my doctore to test me and he said no, it's not necessary. But I went to a different doctor who gave me the test and it came back positive. If you have Celiac desease, once you stop eating gluten, your problems will go away.