Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is not a single condition. There are multiple symptoms including pain in the abdomen and unexpected changes in one’s bowel movements that cause either diarrhea or constipation. Often the symptoms can be hard to identify and associate with IBS due to the similarity in their nature with other digestive tract disorders.
Largely, women suffer from consistent and painful bouts of irritable bowel syndrome in comparison to men. Estimates show that every two in three people who suffer from IBS are women and the condition affects people of all ages, even children. The exact cause of IBS is not known. However, there are multiple triggers that can result in the condition developing over a short period of time. One must mainly be aware of the many dietary triggers that increase the chances of suffering from the symptoms of IBS.
Here are a few important ones one must know about:
Fiber
A fiber-rich diet is good for someone looking to gain weight naturally with the consumption of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. However, different levels of metabolic activity will determine overall fiber tolerance for individuals. In many cases, consumption of fiber-rich foods can trigger diarrhea or constipation, depending on the severity of the condition.
Gluten
Gluten allergy is one of the most common allergies people suffer from in the country. It is a type of protein found in rye, wheat, and barley. The allergic reaction can cause diarrhea, one of the most predominant symptoms of IBS.
Green vegetables
It is important to incorporate a good portion of green vegetables in one’s daily diet. However, there are some leafy greens including broccoli and cauliflower that can be difficult to digest due to a weak system. The inability to process food results in gas, bloating, and constipation, which are some of the primary indicators of a developing irritable bowel syndrome.
Alcohol
Most alcoholic beverages contain gluten and sugar which makes it difficult for the digestive system to process the same. For example, beer is made from wheat and barley; both foodgrains that are rich in gluten. Wine and similar alcoholic beverages are rich in sugar making it difficult for the body to breakdown and process them. Aside from this, dehydration due to alcohol consumption also affects the liver function causing digestion problems.
Processed foods
Hectic schedules make people pick up processed foods as an alternative to freshly grown produce owing to the simplicity of preparing a meal ready to eat in minutes. However, processed foods contain a lot of preservatives and additives that can trigger IBS. The body can digest and process only a finite amount of essential nutrients and the rest is expelled out of the system. Excessive consumption of preservatives can harm the delicate balance of nutrients in the body resulting in a number of health complications.
Caffeine
A good cup of joe might be relaxing for a short period of time. However, caffeine can trigger severe bouts of diarrhea among other known symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Note that one must also make vital lifestyle changes to manage the symptoms of IBS in the long run along with a proper course of treatment.
