Looking for long-term solutions
| This week’s “Here’s To Your Health” broadcasts provide details about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common disorder that affects your colon, which is also known as the large intestine or large bowel. Approximately 20 percent of Arkansans will have IBS symptoms at some point in their lives.
Transcript
| In many cases, simple changes in your diet and lifestyle can provide relief from irritable bowel syndrome. Although your body may not respond immediately to these changes, your goal is to find long-term, not temporary, solutions. When you have irritable bowel syndrome, dietary fiber can have mixed results. Although it helps reduce constipation, it can also make gas and cramping worse. The best approach is to gradually increase the amount of fiber in your diet over a period of weeks. Some foods that contain fiber are whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans. If you have diarrhea, you may find that eating small, frequent meals makes you feel better. If you’re lactose intolerant, try substituting yogurt for milk or use an enzyme product to help break down lactose. And try to drink plenty of water every day. Alcohol and beverages that contain caffeine stimulate your intestines and can make diarrhea worse, and carbonated drinks can produce gas.
These programs were first broadcast the week of January 16, 2012.
T. Glenn Pait, M.D., of UAMS is the host of the program.