IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)
PROBLEM
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an irritative and inflammatory disorder of the intestine. You may have diarrhea, constipation, or problems with alternating constipation and diarrhea.
CAUSE
IBS is not contagious. IBS can flare with severe stress and may also be triggered by eating certain foods.
PREVENTION
A.Try to reduce stress or modify your response to it. Keep a stress diary to avoid stress triggers.
B.Good food habits help. Eat healthier foods that do not cause irritation and foods that are less likely to bother your stomach.
C.Keep a food diary to identify and avoid your food triggers.
D.Change your diet by decreasing carbohydrates such as fructose, fructans, lactose, and those called FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols). FODMAPS are also found in certain grains, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products. See Appendix B, Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols (FODMAP) Diet.
E.When your IBS symptoms are getting better, reintroduce one food at a time to see if it makes your IBS symptoms come back or get worse:
1.After you feel that the new food does not cause increased IBS symptoms, try a second food.
2.Foods that make your IBS symptoms worse should continue to be avoided.
TREATMENT PLAN
A.Quit smoking: Nicotine may contribute to the problem. It is never too late to stop smoking.
B.Apply a warm heat compress to your abdomen for comfort.
Activity: Exercise, such as walking 20 minutes a day, improves bowel function and helps reduce stress. Other stress-reduction techniques include self-hypnosis and biofeedback.
Diet:
A.Eat a high-fiber diet. Fiber is good for both diarrhea and constipation.
B.Avoid sorbitol-containing (sugar-free) candies and gum as well as lactose-containing milk products to see if this eases your diarrhea symptoms.
C.Do not eat or drink anything that aggravates your symptoms. Common triggers may include coffee and spicy and gas-producing foods.
D.Avoid large meals, but eat regularly.
E.Limit alcohol intake to avoid symptoms.
Medications:
You Have Been Prescribed: ___________________________________________________________
You Need to Take: ___________________________________________________________
You Need to Notify the Office If You Have:
A.Fever.
B.Black or tarry-looking bowel movements.
C.Vomiting.
D.Unexplained weight loss of 5 pounds or more.
E.Symptoms that do not get better with changes in diet, exercise, and medication.
F.Other: ___________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________
FODMAP DIET
Low FODMAP foods (Good to eat):
A.Vegetables (bean sprouts, kale, tomato, zucchini, spinach, eggplant, carrots).
B.Legumes (eggs, nuts, seeds, tofu).
C.Fruits (higher glucose than fructose); eat only one serving per meal, 3 ounces (bananas, blueberries, pineapple, strawberries, oranges, mandarins, kiwi).
D.Meats, poultry, and meat substitutes.
E.Fish and seafood.
F.Cereals, grains, breads, biscuits, pasta, nuts, and cakes (brown rice, oats, polenta, quinoa, and tapioca).
G.Condiments, dips, sweets, sweeteners, and spreads (glucose, maple syrup, sugar, artificial sweeteners including aspartame, saccharin, and stevia).
H.Dairy foods and eggs (cheddar cheese, feta cheese, Parmesan cheese, cream, lactose-free milk).
I.Beverages (black tea, coffee, gin, green tea, vodka, water, white tea).
High FODMAP foods (Avoid eating):
A.Wheat (main ingredient in food), barley, and rye.
B.Garlic.
C.Onions.
D.Fruits (higher in fructose than glucose, including apples, apricots, peaches, pears, watermelon, plums, nectarines, mangoes, cherries).
E.Vegetables (asparagus, Brussels sprouts, artichokes, leeks, mushrooms, snow peas, cauliflower).
F.Legumes (baked beans, black-eyed peas, butter beans, kidney beans, lentils, soybeans, split peas).
G.Sweeteners (agave nectar, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, sugar-free gum/mints).
H.Dairy (cottage cheese, cream cheese, milk, ricotta, yogurt).
I.Beverages (chai tea, chamomile tea, coconut water, dessert wine, and rum).
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