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April is IBS Awareness Month

Apr 18, 2018
The team at GastroCare LI are here to remind you that April is IBS Awareness Month. The goal of this designation is to help sufferers of this condition know they’re not alone and that there is help available.

IBS Awareness Month

The team at GastroCare LI are here to remind you that April is IBS Awareness Month. The goal of this designation is to help sufferers of this condition know they’re not alone and that there is help available. Supported by the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder (IFFGD), a non-profit organization, this month of awareness brings hope to all those suffering in silence.

What is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is an affliction that includes, but is not limited to, symptoms such as abdominal or rectal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or any combination of these. To gain a better understanding of IBS, you’ll first need to understand some basic facts and helpful tips about this ailment.

How Food Can Help or Further Irritate Your IBS

Let’s start with the idea that a food sensitivity could cause this condition. The two main food allergy culprits in creating this illness are dairy and gluten. While taking a look at the food you are eating, also be sure to avoid foods that are high in sulfur like cabbage and broccoli, but don’t eliminate too many high fiber foods. The healthy fiber that you digest aids in the absorption of ingested contaminants that can irritate the bowels.

After taking a full inventory of the foods that may be causing this issue, you’ll need to next look at how you are hydrating. It can be a struggle to get going in the morning without that cup of joe, but evidence has shown that caffeine in the beverages you drink (coffee, tea, etc.) and even in some of your favorite foods like chocolate, can aggravate IBS.

 In addition to adjusting the foods we eat and the beverages we drink, you can minimize the symptoms associated with IBS by taking care of your body. Try adding slippery elm, marshmallow root, and L-glutamine to your daily vitamin routine to calm your ailing intestines. Also, try including some probiotics in your diet, which are the good bacteria that your digestion and immune systems need, to help manage your symptoms.

Contact the Experts at GastroCare LI

If you are suffering from IBS, Bradley Rieders, MD, Gautam Reddy, MD, and the team at GastroCare LI are here to help you. This April is IBS Awareness Month, so don’t suffer silently. Contact us at (516) 265-7049 to schedule an appointment with us today.