Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a highly uncomfortable condition with symptoms of bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. It is estimated that up to 20% of the United States population may suffer from the condition and worse yet, it is usually considered incurable. Since there is no difference that medical science has found between the intestines and bowels of those who suffer from it and those who do not, other than the irritation itself, the actual cause is as yet unknown. Fortunately for those who suffer from it, a natural diet for IBS can at least partly ease or alleviate some of the symptoms.

One of the first things that can be tried with diet is not to change what you eat, but how much you eat and how often. Some people find some ease from the discomfort by eating smaller meals more often throughout the day, rather than one or more large meals. Positive effects of eating less but more frequently can sometimes be felt in as little as a day or two.

Making sure you get enough fibers is also important. Fiber is necessary for regularity and can ease the constipation as well as sometimes at least part of the pain and bloating. High fiber foods like fruit, fresh vegetables and grain can be tried to see if they help as a general change in dietary habits. However, since what actually causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome is as of yet unknown, it is important to keep in mind that even some foods that are high in fiber may aggravate the condition more than they help. So it may be best to try high fiber foods cautiously, adding them into your daily diet one at a time to make it easier to identify any that are causing problems.