5 Natural Ways to Heal IBS, According to a Doctor

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, can be challenging for patients and physicians because the symptoms can seem contradictory. One type is characterized by frequent diarrhea, while another kind is marked by frequent constipation. Yet a third type includes both.

People with IBS may also experience abdominal pain, gas, bloating, headache, and fatigue—but not necessarily all of these. The same symptoms can occur with a wide variety of disorders, including potentially dangerous infections, so careful diagnosis is needed.

The cause of IBS is usually considered to be lack of proper communication between the brain and the gut. It’s not entirely clear why the wires get crossed, but this makes the muscles that line the digestive tract contract more quickly, slowly, or forcefully
than is optimal. The result: abdominal discomfort and bathroom woes.

Conventional Remedies

Traditional IBS treatment relies on medications such as loperamide and the antibiotic rifaximin for diarrhea or fiber-based supplements for constipation. Abdominal pain may be treated with anti-spasm medicines or even low doses of antidepressants.

Natural Solutions

These lifestyle changes may help:

• Track what you eat. Keeping a diary may help you identify foods that trigger IBS flare-ups. Common ones are wheat, beef, pork, lamb, and soybeans. Beans as well as raw fruits and vegetables tend to cause gas and bloating.
• Increase your fiber intake. For IBS characterized by constipation, try eating more cooked high-fiber vegetables or sprinkling 1 Tbsp of freshly ground flaxseeds on soups and salads.
• Cut back on stimulants. Caffeine can irritate the bowels, and even decaffeinated coffee can cause problems.
• Take turmeric. An extract of this spice reduced IBS symptoms by up to 60% in a pilot study; I suggest 300 to 400 mg up to three times a day.
• Try slipper elm powder. This preparation of the inner bark of the red elm tree has soothing properties. Mix 1 tsp of the powder, 1 tsp of sugar, and2 cups of hot water. Stir well and flavor with a shake of cinnamon. Drink one or two cups twice daily.

Is it really IBS?

Transient, trivial changes in digestion and elimination, which are part of everyday life, shouldn’t be mistaken for IBS. But if you have four to six weeks of persistent or worsening bowel dysfunction or pain, you may have true IBS, or perhaps something more serious, so it’s time to see a physician. Otherwise, it’s worthwhile to try some of the lifestyle or supplement suggestions here before talking to a doctor and see if nature puts your digestive system back on track.