Do you know that an IBS flare up hit you without showing any warning signs? You should know when these flares affect your body and what their common causes are. It is a fact that many people with IBS deal with sudden digestive discomfort that disrupts their daily life. As it is a sudden increase in your gut symptoms that can affect their work, social life and overall comfort. It may last in your body from a few hours to several days. It can be triggered by stress, food, gut infection and hormonal changes. In this blog, we will provide extensive information about these flare ups.
Understand An IBS Flare Up?
An IBS flare up refers to a time period when the symptoms of IBS( irritable bowel syndrome) become more difficult to manage. It affects the functionality of your body. The severity of these flare ups can change from individual to individual. It can start due to certain foods, hormonal changes or other environmental factors.
What are the Common Signs of IBS Flare?
IBS can lead you towards digestive issues, fatigue and anxiety. Your digestive system becomes more sensitive during these flare ups. Therefore, it can lead to a range of symptoms that can cause discomfort in your body. The main symptoms of these flare ups are given below.
Abdominal pain is one of the most common IBS flare up symptoms. You may feel sharp or dull pain in your stomach. You may experience pain after eating or sometimes bloating and gas. Your tummy may also feel painfully full and swollen. Another symptom is diarrhea, you may have watery poo and sometimes need to poo suddenly. You may have constipation and sometimes you feel like you can not empty your bowels. These symptoms can alter your working routine as they also affect your comfort zone.
What Causes an IBS Flare Up?
There are many factors that may trigger these flare ups. You can prevent these flare ups when you know the main causes that affect your digestive system. The main causes of these flare up are given below.
Foods
Certain foods are supposed to make your IBS symptoms worse. Foods that are high in FODMAPs are common triggers such as dairy and wheat products. Food high in FODMAPS refers to foods that contain certain types of carbohydrates that are hard to digest for some individuals. Nutrition and diet play a key role in maintaining your comfort during these flare ups. Other foods such as caffeine, alcohol and fatty meals can also be harmful to your digestive system.
Pressure and Nervousness as an IBS Trigger
Stress can be a major cause of IBS as it disturbs your stomach. It can worsen symptoms such as cramping and bloating. Research shows that stress-reducing techniques can help you to keep your digestive system balanced and active. These techniques are also beneficial for your mental health.
Hormonal Changes as an IBS Trigger
For females, IBS flare ups sometimes match the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is a natural monthly process in the female body where the body prepares for a possible pregnancy.
Other IBS Triggers
Your gut health can be affected when you are sick such as with a cold or a stomach bug. You might observe more bloating, cramping or even diarrhea due to these flares. Your body already works hard to fight against the infection. This may throw your gut off balance and lead to an IBS flare up.
Antibiotics are important to kill certain types of bacterial infections, but they can also impact your gut health. They can alter the amount of beneficial bacteria in your digestive system which can make IBS symptoms severe. When you do not get enough sleep, you just feel tired. Your stress levels go up and disturb your digestive system. This can also lead to other mental health issues such as ADHD.
How to Get Fast Relief from an IBS Flare Up
Everyone who lives with IBS wants to get fast relief from these flare up. Your main goal is clear that you want to calm your stomach as soon as possible. You can get fast relief by adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as staying hydrated and walking. Some tips to get fast relief from an IBS flare up are given below.
Eat Low Food Map Food
You can easily digest a light food during a flare up. You should eat low-fat food such as white rice and boiled potatoes. You should take a balanced diet to get fast relief from these flare ups. You should keep your food simple and light because your gut becomes more sensitive than usual during flare ups. You can also eat bananas and rice to reduce gas and bloating as it is necessary for your comfort.
Relaxation techniques
You should take time to relax to keep your mind calm. Stress can make your symptoms worse. You can reduce stress by including practices in your routine such as deep breathing or light stretching.
Stay hydrated
During these flare ups, you should drink enough water throughout the day. It is necessary to stay hydrated, especially if you have diarrhea. You can prevent dehydration by staying hydrated because fluids help your digestion to stay balanced.
Use heat therapy
It is a simple and effective way to feel more comfortable during IBS flare ups. If you feel cramps, you can help relieve them with heat therapy by placing a hot water bottle on your stomach.
Foods to Avoid During an IBS Flare Up
Your digestive system becomes more sensitive during an IBS flare up. You can reduce the discomfort of your digestive system by avoiding certain foods. You should avoid certain foods which are given below to improve your gut health.
You should avoid high fat foods because these foods are hard to digest. They can increase cramping and bloating during an IBS flare up. You should not use fried foods such as fast food, chips and heavy meals. Spicy meals can affect your digestive system. You should also avoid carbonated drinks such as soda and sparkling water. This can add extra gas to your digestive system.
Other Tips for Preventing IBS Symptoms
The following are the main tips you can follow to prevent IBS symptoms. You should follow these tips as they are important for disease prevention. If symptoms are getting worse then it is beneficial to visit your health care provider.
- Do not eat too fast and try to eat small meals throughout the day instead of eating three large meals.
- Minimize the use of foods that have unsuspecting ingredients that trigger IBS flare ups.
- You should choose soluble fiber instead of insoluble fiber to help relieve constipation without causing bloating or diarrhea.
- You can also eat ginger, peppermint or chamomile which may improve various digestive issues.
- Do not smoke because it can worsen symptoms.
Conclusions
IBS(irritable bowel syndrome) flare ups can hit you at any time, whether you are at any age. It disturbs your normal day-to-day activities. It can be triggered due to several factors such as spicy food and other environmental factors. You can prevent its symptoms by following the simple tips which are given above. If symptoms are becoming more severe with the passage of time, you should consult with your health care provider. To get more information about ibs flare up visit Xendo Health as it provides complete information about your healthcare.
