Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is thought to affect approximately 10-15% of the western world’s population. It is an uncomfortable condition to live with and, if you do live with it, you need to make sure that you are managing your life with it in the best possible way. Here are some of the easy ways you could manage your condition and how it fits into your wider life.
Know Your Triggers
IBS is often caused by eating a certain type of food or through eating habits such as overeating. You need to know what causes your IBS so you can avoid these types of food.
For example, one of the most common triggers of IBS can be eating lactose. This is found in dairy products like milk and cheese. If you find that you experience symptoms after eating these foods, you should avoid them. Switching to a plant-based diet might also help you avoid many foods with dairy products as ingredients.
Look for Alternatives
Though IBS can be caused by intolerances such as this, it can often be good to investigate the root of the issues. IBS can sometimes be caused by anxiety and other issues. If you have an endocannabinoid deficiency, treating this might also help to treat your IBS.
CBD products and small changes to your lifestyle could help to alleviate symptoms across many conditions. These changes may take a while to implement, but they will have a massive effect on your health as a whole. Small steps will be best to ensure that you find the best way to manage your health.
Track Changes
One of the best things you can do when managing any condition, not just IBS, is to keep a record of some of the changes you face. From mood swings to changing physical symptoms, keeping a log of your condition could help you to manage it much better.
Try to set aside time each day where you record your day in a log. If you do not yet know what type of food triggers your IBS, keeping a food diary as part of the plan might be a good idea. Once you have a full log of everything you have done that day, you will be able to analyse it to see where your flare-ups occurred. This will be crucial data that could seriously improve your life and your management of your IBS. Though it will take time, maybe a month or more, you should definitely make sure you complete it. The insight it can give you into your own condition is unprecedented.
Take the time to manage your IBS and find out more about it as soon as you can. Knowledge is power, and you need to make sure that you have everything you need to tackle this condition head-on. It is entirely possible to manage your IBS and still live a full lifestyle enjoying many types of food. Look into some of the causes and options you could take now.
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