Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine.

Symptoms

Symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.

IBS is a common disorder affecting approximately 15% of the population.

Causes

The exact cause of IBS is unknown, but it is thought to be due to a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition, gastrointestinal abnormalities, and gut microbiota changes.

There is no cure for IBS, but there are treatments that can help to manage the symptoms. These include dietary changes, medications, and stress management.

Dietary Changes

One of the most important things you can do to manage your symptoms is to eat a healthy diet. This means eating plenty of fibre-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It’s also important to limit your intake of fatty and processed foods.

There are a few specific dietary changes that can help to reduce IBS symptoms. One is to avoid trigger foods.

Common trigger foods include caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, and fatty foods. Another dietary change is to eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. And finally, it’s important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.

Medications

There are a number of different medications that can be used to treat IBS. These include antispasmodics, which help to relieve abdominal pain; laxatives, which can help with constipation; and antidepressants, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety.

Your doctor will likely recommend a combination of these medications and lifestyle changes to help you manage your symptoms.

Stress Management

Stress is a common trigger for IBS symptoms. Therefore, finding ways to manage stress in your life is important. This may include relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation. Exercise can also help to reduce stress.

If you’re struggling to manage your stress alone, you may want to consider therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that can help you to identify and change negative thought patterns.

IBS can be a chronic and debilitating condition, but there are things you can do to manage your symptoms.

By following a healthy diet, taking medications, and reducing stress, you can live a relatively normal life despite your condition.

Contact Ogden Pharmacy in Calgary at 587-391-9878 to transfer your IBS medications to our pharmacy to be eligible for free delivery and free blister packaging.

You can also drop by Ogden Pharmacy if you live near us (in Lynnwood or Ogden or Riverbend) to have a little talk or to transfer your prescriptions to us!