Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)



When nature calls…sometimes we have to run!  It is a horrible feeling to be in the middle of an important family function or a meeting and sense that you must immediately head for the bathroom.  Missing out on important events in your life can be such a nuisance and in this case it is included in what medical professionals refer to as irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. 

IBS is a disorder of the gastrointestinal system (your stomach and your intestines), that causes changes in bowel habits.  These changes can include long-term diarrhea, constipation, and/or abdominal pain.  The severity of IBS that you or your loved one may experience depends upon what is causing it.  Generally food intolerances, such as to dairy products, will make the symptoms of the condition worse.  For IBS it is good to work toward prevention of flare-ups and promotion of your own health and bowel habits.  With Total Home Health we offer you some ways to do just that, and here are a few of them!

o   Avoid foods that contain dairy, eggs, and wheat.
o   Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.
o   Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid per day.
o   Increase your daily amount of fiber.

Total Home Health has a program that will fit all your needs related to your IBS condition.  Our team of professionals are well-educated on what exactly your condition involves, including how to work toward its prevention.  Your optimal health is our greatest goal and we will work toward prevention of your IBS in order for you to fully take part in every minute of what is important to you.  Risk factors are also apparent with IBS and they include:

o   Female gender
o   Stress
o   Eating large meals that have a large amount of fat
o   Consuming caffeine
o   Consumption of alcohol

Generally if you or your loved one goes through an episode of IBS there will be complaints of various signs and symptoms which can include the following:

o   Cramping pain in the abdomen
o   Abdominal pain from changes in bowel patterns
o   Nausea when eating or when having a bowel movement
o   Anorexia
o   Bloating in the abdomen
o   Belching
o   Diarrhea
o   Constipation

Your specific IBS condition will be directly related to how your body functions.  IBS does not necessarily mean you’ll just have diarrhea, your bowels can be irritated just the same with long-term constipation.  Several different laboratory tests may be performed in diagnosis of IBS, however the condition is generally difficult to diagnose with laboratory tests alone.  Diagnosis is based more on individual descriptions of any changes to bowel patterns, abdominal discomfort, feelings of incomplete passage of stool with bowel movement, and/or the presence of mucus in stool. 

Nursing professionals with Total Home Health will always focus on you and you only!  The professionals assigned to your treatment plan will talk with you about ways to reduce the stressors in your life that could play a part in causing your IBS.  Also, we will educate you about the importance of limiting the intake of food or drink that could be irritating to your stomach and intestines, while working to encourage an increase in your dietary fiber intake at the same time.  In addition to all this, our professionals will work to help you create a food log, and also a record of your bowel patterns in order to refine your diet even more to prevent flare-ups of IBS.

We do realize that diet and lifestyle changes may be easier said than done, and they may not take effect as quickly or as ideally as you may wish.  If this is the case and your IBS continues to persist, treatment with medications may be recommended for you.  Your provider will determine what treatment will be best for your IBS.  Your provider will then always work in conjunction with our nursing professionals to provide continuous and attentive treatment throughout the course of your IBS, to make any adjustments that are needed as quickly as possible to prevent any worsening.  The professionals at Total Home Health are ready to take the plunge with you, no pun intended, and work to promote your health while preventing flare-ups of IBS.  Let’s get started today!

No comments:

Post a Comment