IBS - Natural Remedy Options

In honor of IBS Awareness Month, I've been doing a series of posts, shedding light on various aspects of IBS.  Last week, I wrote about Medication Options for those with IBS, but for me personally, medication alone is not enough for managing my IBS symptoms.  Medication is only a small part of my personal treatment plan to manage my IBS.  I also rely heavily on alternative therapy options, such as natural remedies and lifestyle modifications to keep my irate intestines appeased.

Over the course of the last decade, I have tried a variety of Natural Remedy Options.  Since IBS is so individualized, what works for me and my symptoms may not work for you. 
Remember, only you know your body best.

NOTE: Before beginning ANY sort of "treatment plan" I recommend:
1. Consulting your doctor (your natural remedy may not mix well with a current medicine you're on)
2. Keeping track of your symptoms, medications, bowel movements, exercise habits, and natural remedy options as well as their effect on your symptoms.  Although it is tedious, having the information to look back on will allow you to see WHAT exactly alleviates symptoms.  

A Symptom Diary can be downloaded from IFFGD.org, I filled one out continuously for almost six months.  It was A LOT of work, but helped me pinpoint some of my symptom triggers and treatment options/dosages/times that worked!

I am sure there are a plethora of other Natural Remedy Options that I have not listed, but I only wanted to provide options that I have personally found beneficial.  Options I still use have a *

• Apple Cider Vinegar* - Raw and Organic by Braggs
  

       - I take 2 tsp. diluted in water 3x a day, 30 minutes prior to each meal
       - It aids in digestion (I have slow transit time) and helps with heartburn
       - This is something I started within the last year, and I think dramatically helps me
       - This article written by Sound Body Life explains its benefits a bit further 

• Aloe Vera Juice

       - Aids in nausea, indigestion, and heartburn 
       - Worked better for me than Pepto Bismal when I had chronic nausea prior to my gallbladder 
         removal

•  Digestive Advantage - Intensive Bowel Support

       - This is a probiotic company, with a variety of probiotic options for intestinal upsets
       - I took this for at least seven years, and felt it was helpful when my IBS was not as severe
       - It is an overall intestinal support product for gas, bloating, pain, and diarrhea 

• Lemon Water*
  
 - Aids in heartburn relief and digestion since lemon has similar chemical properties to the bodies 
         digestive enzymes       

- Some choose to start their day with a glass of warm lemon water to kick start their intestines

- Personally, I drink lemon water after a large meal, where I may have had more fat or sugar than 

   usual, to help my body digest as well as prevent heart burn
• Peppermint Pills/Oil 

       - MUST BE ENTERIC COATED or the pills can cause or make heartburn worse
       - Taken before meals, used to relieve bloating, gas, and pain

• Protocol Peppermint Pills with Ginger and Fennel 
  

       - I took these everyday, 3x a day, for almost two years to aid in my digestion of foods
       - Despite the enteric coating, I still got heartburn after taking these, but dealt with the side effect 
         for the symptom relief from bloating and gas
       - Eventually, I stopped taking them because I felt they were no longer working/waste of money

• Probiotics (there are a TON of brands/options/types - do your research)
  

       - Taken to keep a balance of healthy bacteria in the intestines which aids in digestion and overall 
          intestinal health
       - I receive my healthy bacteria from greek yogurt in my overnight oats daily now

• Yoga Poses for Specific Symptoms*
  

       - When my stomach pain was unbearable with no relief from medication, I turned to yoga
       - THIS website is amazing, I used to do poses for pain/gas relief and they actually work!

• Diet Modification* - The BIGGEST factor in my treatment plan 

       Do NOT start a diet without consulting your doctor or a nutritionist first!
       - What you eat, when you eat, and how much you eat are all critical components of managing 
          your IBS, based on the type you have.  This is the ONLY time I ever suggest tracking your food 
          intake using a Symptom Diary    
       - Avoid IBS irritants such as: Alcohol, Caffeine, Chocolate, High Fat Foods, Spicy Foods
         (Again, these do not irritate everyone with IBS, but are common irritants)
       - Anti-Gas Diet*
               ~ I follow a plan created by my Gastro to avoid gas producing foods 
               ~ Avoiding gassy foods aids in reducing bloating and pain for me
               ~ A plan can be found here or contact me and I will send you my list
       - Eat regularly scheduled meals, to avoid over eating 
       - Remove foods from your diet that cause symptoms - this is where the Symptom Diary comes in
         (For example, I cannot eat/drink: alcohol, caffeine more than once, beans, broccoli, nut butters, 
         etc. I found this out through keeping an extensive symptom diary and through process of   
         elimination)
Only remove foods that cause unbearable/intolerable symptoms consistently, bloating after eating larger meals/a lot of vegetables is normal and you shouldn't feel that every single food causes symptoms and therefore needs to be never eaten again.  Bloating with pain and constipation is not normal though, so eliminate foods that cause those types of symptoms.
       - Low Fodmap Diet*
               ~ "Fodmaps are poorly absorbable, highly gas-forming carbohydrates are associated with 
                   increased IBS symptoms in some people."
               ~ Notice, is only causes issues in SOME people, therefore, don't feel the need to go on a 
                   FODMAP frenzy, unless you experience symptoms when eating High FODMAP Foods
               ~ I follow the Low Fodmap diet loosely, keeping track of how much I eat of a certain fodmap 
                  or which fodmaps I can enjoy without worry as well as which are big No-Nos for me
               ~ DO NOT ATTEMPT LOW FODMAP ON YOUR OWN - the diet is meant to find exactly what 
Fodmaps are triggers for YOU, the typical High FODMAP food list is extensive, and cutting out ALL of those foods would leave you a very limited and nutrient deficient diet, therefore, it is a process of trial and error, figuring out which are suitable for YOUR stomach and YOUR symptoms.

As always, ALL information is provided based on MY experiences and MY symptoms (abdominal pain, acid reflux, bloating, constipation, distension, and slow transit time) and are NOT replacements for seeking medical treatment.  

Keep track of your symptoms, what exacerbates and what alleviates them and create a custom IBS management plan that works for you!

• Are you a fan of natural remedies? 
• Do you have a tried and true treatment option that's natural?
• Do you use any of the above options?

I am not a a medical doctor, and the information, advice, and tips provided are based on my own experiences with IBS and research I have done myself.  My information is by no means a replacement for seeing an actual doctor, and any medication or supplements should not be taken unless you consult with your doctor first.  IBS is a complex condition that is different for everyone, so what works for me, may not work for you.  Keep reading, researching, and experimenting until you find what works best for your body! 
Information was obtained from: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/peppermint-oil-uses-benefits-effects