4 helpful ways to help manage IBS

IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition. While the form of diagnosis can vary, it’s generally believed that 11% of the global population struggles with the condition.

Even though many people have IBS, often the issue goes unaddressed. Rather than allowing IBS to have a significant negative impact on your life, use the following tips and suggestions to manage your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life in the process.

1. get a formal diagnosis

First and foremost, if you think you have IBS but you haven’t discussed your inkling with a medical professional, do so. The vast majority of people struggling with IBS symptoms never take action to address them.

If you think you have IBS, it’s difficult (and unwise) to do much about the issue until you’ve confirmed that you are, indeed, dealing with that condition. Start your IBS management journey by getting a proper diagnosis to serve as your North Star moving forward.

Read our blog: IBS vs food intolerances: what’s the difference?

2. adjust your diet

Of course, an official diagnosis isn’t going to magically make your symptoms go away. Once you’ve confirmed that you have IBS, the next step should be tailoring your diet accordingly.

Many sources recommend trying the FODMAP diet as an effective way for many people to manage their IBS pain. It avoids common trigger foods that can lead to IBS pain.

Harvard Health points out that some health professionals criticize FODMAP as too restrictive. However, keep in mind that the goal is to identify the particular foods in each category that cause you the most discomfort. Take your time, record your discoveries, and try to create a diet that eliminates the digestive pain by removing the smallest number of food choices from your diet.

3. use Intoleran enzymes

Intoleran fully endorses the FODMAP diet. In fact, many of our products are officially Monash University certified.

Nevertheless, there are moments in life when adhering to a strict diet just isn’t practical. Social engagements often come with limited menu items. Visiting the family on a holiday can also leave you with unique and IBS-unfriendly food choices. Sometimes you might even find that you’re just craving a milkshake or some other troublesome food because, well, it’s delicious.

When that’s the case, you can use our enzymes to help. Intoleran’s line of digestive supplements addresses different food intolerances, many of which contribute to IBS symptoms.

If you find yourself unable to follow your dietary guidelines at any given moment, you can use a dose of Intoleran enzymes to keep your digestive tract happy and symptom-free.

4. additional IBS tips

Finally, there are several small-yet-powerful ways that you can tailor your activities to minimize the impact that IBS has on your life, such as:

• Avoiding wearing belts and tight pants when possible.
• Sitting up straight and maintaining good posture.
• Slightly elevating the head of your bed to sleep at an incline.
• Finding ways to reduce stress.

Even when they don’t directly impact it, lifestyle changes like these can do wonders in supporting a digestive system that struggles with IBS.

managing IBS and improving quality of life

At Intoleran, we’re all about improving your quality of life. A condition like IBS has the potential to consistently create pain, generate stress, and sap your enjoyment on a daily basis.

Use the tips above to regain a degree of control over the state of your digestive tract. From diet and digestive enzymes to posture, clothing choices, sleeping arrangements, and reduced stress levels, there are many ways to successfully manage your IBS — and improve your quality of life in the process.