Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Dangerous?

Irritable bowel syndrome has become a wide spread illness. If left untreated or not treated properly either by the doctor or generally patient ignores taking the medication and/or continue with bad lifestyle habits then irritable bowel syndrome can become dangerous in long term. There is no cure for irritable bowel syndrome as the causes are unknown.

Irritable bowel syndrome is not dangerous if there is proper treatment plus lifestyle changes along with change in dietary habits.

The simplest and most effective way to reduce the danger of irritable bowel syndrome in becoming worse is to make some doctor recommended changes in your lifestyle and diet. It may take some time for the symptoms to go away but it helps on the long run.

It is important that you do not disturb your diet schedule. Make sure that you maintain regularity in your diet in terms of time when you take your diet. Do not skip or change the time of your diet. In case of irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea, small but frequent meals are recommended. If you have irritable bowel syndrome constipation, you would need to include good amount of fiber in your diet. It helps in smooth movement of food downwards through the intestines.

Some people are intolerant to lactose, thus it may not be a good idea to include milk or its products in your diet. Yogurt is a good substitute for milk. In some cases, combining small amount of milk products with other food may solve the problem. If it does not, then you would need to avoid dairy product completely. However, make sure that you compensate for the protein, B vitamins and calcium by making necessary changes in your diet.

Fluids are helpful to keep you energetic if you are having irritable bowel syndrome. Drink enough water to keep your body hydrated. However, fluids that contain caffeine or alcohol needs to be avoided strictly as they can make irritable bowel syndrome dangerous. Also, carbonated drinks are not recommended in irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea.

Regular exercise is helpful for various reasons. It reduces the level of stress and thus relieves you from anxiety. Regular exercise also helps in normal contraction of intestines. You can start exercising for short duration and then gradually keep on increasing the duration of your exercise over a period of time. However, consult your doctor and an exercise expert for the right set of exercise in case you have any other problem.

It is important that you take the minimum dose of Imodium or Kaopectate if you obtain it over the counter. Do not exceed the recommended dosage as it can become addictive and dangerous. It is recommended that you take Imodium 20 to 30 minutes before eating for the best results.

If any of the medications for irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea are not taken as recommended, they can lead to several types of dangerous problem on the long run. You need to persist with the other lifestyle changes for few days at least to observe any changes in your condition.

If you are a victim of irritable bowel syndrome, it is important that you break your meals into small and more frequent meals. Large meals can become dangerous to you by causing cramps. Food items that contain lower amounts of fat and are rich in carbohydrates are recommended. Some common examples are cereals, whole-grain breads, fruits, pasta, vegetables etc… Lots of fiber in your diet will make the stools softer. Vegetables, fruits, cereals, beans are good source of fiber. It is recommended that a normal adult must take 22-34 grams of fiber daily. It will not only help with your constipation but also helps in preventing pain in stomach. Do not introduce too much of fiber abruptly in your diet as it can cause gas and affect irritable bowel syndrome. You need to gradually increase the amount of fiber in your diet so that your stomach can adjust to the changes in diet. You can start with 2 to 3 grams of fiber per day, and then increase it gradually.

Food products that rich in fat are not recommended for irritable bowel syndrome patients. Dairy products including milk needs to be avoided. If you are taking fluids, avoid alcohol or drinks that contains caffeine. Some food items such as beans, cabbage can cause gas and must be avoided. Take note of what you are eating and how you body is responding to determine the best diet for your irritable bowel syndrome.

Your doctor would give you long list of the food items that safe and others that need to be avoided. You would get a special diet plan called as FODMAP. Various food products contained in this list to avoid or reduce are as follows:

• Recommended list of fruits to avoid include mange, cherries, plums, pears, cherries, watermelon, blackberries, apricots and all other juicy fruits.
• In vegetables, you should avoid or reduce garlic salts, beans, onions, snow peas, cauliflower, artichokes, lentils, mushrooms.
• In case of dairy products, you should avoid or reduce ice cream, custard, yogurt, soft cheeses and milk
• Food items prepared out of wheat or rye should be reduced or avoided.
• You should also avoid or reduce honey, candies and a special class of sweeteners with suffix “ol,”. Some common examples are as follows:
  • Mannitol
  • Sorbitol
  • Xylitol
  • Maltitol.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome can pose difficulty in carrying out your routine activities. In addition to being painful, it can be very embarrassing and thus it can affect your life badly.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common problem that can occur to anyone. It can become dangerous if no care is taken for a long period of time. Reports suggest that the probability of irritable bowel syndrome is almost similar in all age groups and all gender. It is very important that you seek proper care and medication to treat irritable bowel syndrome, else it can be dangerous in long term. The treatment mainly consists of some changes in diet and lifestyles. Medical experts are still trying to find the exact reasons for the occurrence of irritable bowel syndrome.

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