There’s nothing worse than feeling pain every time you eat. For many people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, eating can be a daily challenge.
Because the condition isn’t straightforward, IBS treatment isn’t either. IBS medications do exist but they don’t tackle the condition, only the symptoms. In fact, they can only temporarily treat diarrhea, depression, pain, constipation, and bowel spasms (1). Each symptom requires a different medicine.
But medication doesn’t work alone: it always goes along with changes in your diet and lifestyle. Essentially, it’s best to start your treatment with home remedies to manage your symptoms naturally.
What Is IBS?
Your bowels are a large tube that extends from your stomach to your rectum. It’s divided into two parts: the small intestine and the large intestine.
Your large intestine is roughly 6 feet long while your small intestine is about 22 feet long, albeit much thinner in width (2). The small intestine absorbs nutrients from the food you eat while the large intestine absorbs liquid and salt. It then pushes out the waste and nonessential bacteria along to the end of your digestive tract (3).
IBS is a common chronic digestive disorder that is characterized by multiple digestive problems.
Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms include (4,5):
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Mucus in the stool
Up to 3.5 million Americans are diagnosed with IBS each year.