Improving the Quality of Life in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The concept of “irritable colon”, i.e. irritated or nervous intestines, is very common in recent years. The main characteristics of this phenomenon are flatulence, cramps, gas. Numerous medical experts, primarily gastroenterologists, deal with this issue. But nutrition specialists also play a big role in solving this phenomenon. For this reason, in this text we will deal with this issue from the aspect of nutritional therapy. In other words, the topic of this short presentation will be precisely improving the quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
What is recommended
Of course, experts in different professions have different recommendations. Recently, a diet has appeared that includes a long list of foods that should be excluded from the diet. Among other things, the list includes products that contain a certain type of carbohydrates. However, when these compounds reach the colon, together with water, they serve as fuel for the good probiotic bacteria. With nervous intestines, this physiological process can produce disturbances (flatulence, cramps, stomach pains). These changes are precisely the reason for applying other forms of treatment. Because the strict application of a low-carbohydrate diet does not lead to a reduction of complaints in all patients. Therefore, each patient requires individual treatment.
How and how much to eat
Of course, first of all – avoid large meals, but don’t skip them either. Reduce the intake of fat, as well as foods that produce gas (beans, cabbage, peas, green beans). Also, limit the intake of starch (pasta, rice). Eat no more than 250 g of fresh fruit per day. Avoid foods that contain sugar substitutes (so-called “special” products for diabetes and weight loss). Drink enough water and herbal teas, limit coffee, reduce alcohol intake as much as possible. So the emphasis is on how and how much we eat.
Addressing experts
If you have accepted the above suggestions, and there are no results even after a month, you should, of course, contact a gastroenterologist. It will remove the suspicion of some other potential problems. (intolerance to milk, non-celiac enteropathy and the like).
Only after that, seek the advice of a nutrition specialist, who will create an individual, long-term diet for you.
You can also achieve a long-term solution to these problems by consuming probiotics. Namely, probiotic cultures have the ability to prevent gas and stomach cramps.
Experts recommend using them for at least a month. With adequate nutrition and food selection, probiotics will greatly contribute to improving the quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.