When you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you know the symptoms of overindulgence. Stomach pain, bloating, constipation, cramps, diarrhea, and gas can all materialize when you sample holiday favorites that are also on your IBS trigger list.
The physicians at Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida specialize in diagnosing and treating IBS. We’re uniquely placed to help you with lifestyle advice for avoiding symptomatic episodes of IBS.
The holidays are a favorite time to sit back and enjoy all that celebration has to offer, but it’s not as easy when you’re dealing with the effects of the condition. We’ve prepared a list of seven tips for surviving holiday festivities when you have IBS.
As many as 45 million Americans may be affected by IBS, a condition for which precise causes aren’t fully understood. Fortunately, only a few people with IBS have frequent and severe symptoms.
Theories about the origin of IBS cases include factors like:
While there are medicines that help to control IBS symptoms, your personal management plan likely includes trigger avoidance. This is a list of foods or situations that tend to aggravate IBS symptoms.
Consider these strategies to keep IBS symptoms in check this holiday season.
If you have one, keep to your recommended regular schedule, or be ready with medications to take as needed as you move between holiday events.
Small meals and snacks throughout the day ease the burden on your digestive system and help limit hunger when you’re faced with delicious feasts full of IBS triggers. Be mindful and eat slowly. Enjoy samplings of your favorite once-a-year treats.
While stress doesn’t cause IBS, it does act as a trigger for some patients. Plan your cooking, shopping, and other holiday distractions well to avoid last-minute deadlines and other relaxation enemies that boost stressors.
Exercise is often the first victim when your holiday celebrations get busy. It’s okay to skip the gym for a week or two, but keep your daily step counts up, enjoy a relaxing swim, and take time to keep moving before and after holiday meals.
Knowing and avoiding your IBS triggers makes the seasonal celebration pass more easily. Common IBS triggers include:
Other vegetables, including carrots, potatoes, lettuce, and tomatoes, can help ease IBS symptoms. Hard cheeses, proteins like eggs and poultry, and almond and soy milks can also be soothing.
Maintaining a regular sleep schedule as closely as possible serves your health in many ways, including IBS management. Keep your fluid intake up to maintain healthy digestive processes.
If IBS were predictable, it wouldn’t be the nuisance condition it is. Take what you know about yourself and your condition and plan contingencies should IBS impose itself unexpectedly.
Visit us at Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida when IBS interferes with your enjoyment of life. Call or click to book a visit to the nearest of our five locations today.
