10 ways to reduce the pain of IBS

By Simply Supplements

If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), adding some friendly bacteria such asacidophilus to your diet can be an effective form of IBS treatment. There are also a host of other ways in which you can reduce the pain of IBS. Here are our ten top tips…

1. Have a massage

A massage that follows a gentle clockwise motion on the abdomen or lower back can help to reduce stress levels, which are a major trigger of IBS symptoms. In addition, a massage can improve blood flow and reduce the severity of muscle cramps.

2. Relax

Stress and anxiety can trigger IBS, so if you feel in pain, try to relax; perhaps by listening to some calming music or going to sleep.

Exercise is also useful. A low-impact activity such as yoga can help by relaxing the mind and improving circulation to release muscle cramps.

3. Have a hot bath

Heat therapy can be an effective way to reduce IBS discomfort. A hot bath helps to ease tension in the muscles, gut and pelvis, reducing your pain.

4. Try heat pads or hot water bottles

Similarly, applying a heat pad or hot water bottle to painful areas, particularly the stomach, can be effective in soothing aches caused by IBS.

5. Try an anti-spasmodic

A common symptom of IBS is muscle cramps. If you suffer from these, your doctor can prescribe an anti-spasmodic medication, which can help to reduce cramps and abdominal pain.

6. Swap codeine for paracetamol

If you need to use pain killers, codeine may cause a side effect of constipation. To avoid this, try using paracetamol instead.

7. Isolate trigger foods

Certain foods or drinks can aggravate IBS symptoms, so keeping a food diary can prove to be effective in identifying what doesn’t agree with you. From here, you can isolate the foods that trigger your symptoms and remove them from your diet.

8. Try a calming tea

Peppermint tea is popular for aiding digestion, and has been found to help with the relief of abdominal gas, bloating, and muscle spasms. 

9.  Take a daily dose of magnesium

Magnesium can help with constipation by drawing water to the digestive tract to make stools easier to pass.

10. Add some friendly bacteria

Taking a daily acidophilus supplement can help to provide the digestive system with ‘friendly bacteria’ that help to reduce IBS pain and bloating. The probiotics within acidophilus are important for keeping the digestive system healthy.