People frequently ask us about cures for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). While the exact causes of irritable bowel syndrome are not known, there is good treatment available for irritable bowel disease symptoms.

What are irritable bowel disease symptoms? Symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Distended abdomen
• Weight loss
• Gas
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

No one knows for sure the causes of irritable bowel syndrome, which makes finding cures for IBS difficult. There are, however, some theories about what might cause it. Some doctors think it might be caused an overgrowth of candida, a yeast that lives in our digestive tract. Some think it is caused by over-sensitivity to certain foods. Others think it develops due to an inflammation of the linings of the stomach and intestines.

There may be no real cures for IBS, since the exact causes of irritable bowel syndrome are not known. There are, however, ways to prevent flare-ups, which can be considered a cure.

The best cures for IBS involve prevention of flare-ups. Eating a special diet for IBS is probably the best form of prevention.

• Caffeine (found in tea, coffee and soda)
• Dairy products
• Red meats
• Wheat
• Gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley and rye)
• Alcohol
• Fried foods
• Citrus fruits
• Artificial sweeteners (things like sorbitol and aspartame)
• Chocolate
• Any foods high in fat
• Carbonated drinks (like soda)

Keep a food diary to see which foods bother you. Whenever you experience irritable bowel disease symptoms, make a list of what you ate last. This will enable you to create a personalized diet.

• First there is the diet for irritable bowel syndrome, discussed earlier. The diet for IBS works as a preventative measure, but it can also relieve symptoms when they do occur.



• Stress management and relaxation techniques can also be helpful, since stress is a contributor to IBS flare-ups.



• Regular exercise such as walking helps the bowel function better and can also relieve stress.



• Then there is medication. Anti-spasmodic drugs are used to reduce cramping and treat diarrhea, and stool softeners are often prescribed to prevent and treat constipation. Anti-depressant medications such as Zoloft can relieve some of the symptoms, as well. However, the anti-spasmodic and anti-depressant drugs can cause constipation, and they have other side effects as well.



• Anti-fungal medication may be prescribed to treat candida, if that is one of the causes of irritable bowl syndrome.



• Many people prefer to use natural treatments in order to avoid the side effects and problems of traditional medication. There are a number of natural cures for IBS available that, combined with a proper diet, can prevent and relieve the symptoms from IBS. Natural products often have other health benefits, as well.

See a doctor to learn more about cures for IBS if: you have symptoms that last for a period of several weeks, or, if your symptoms are severe. Be aware that blood in the stool is not a symptom of IBS and if you have that, you should see a doctor right away.