Our executive director, Kelsey Cheyne spoke with Mediaplanet about the steps women can take to manage their IBS in their 2019 Women’s Health Campaign. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The occasional bloat or watery poop is nothing to worry about. But if consistent belly pain, cramps, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation are getting in the way of you living your best life \u2014 you could have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The good news \u2014 IBS<\/a> is manageable. Each person may be different in terms of what works and what doesn\u2019t!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try slowly increasing dietary fibre<\/a> by two to four grams per day to promote soft, painless stools and drink six to eight glasses of fluids per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The gut and the brain are constantly communicating with each other, often leading to the first onset of symptoms or aggravating symptoms you\u2019re already having.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A diet that reduces the intake of high FODMAP foods and manages the total FODMAP load at each meal may help to relieve your IBS symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If other dietary strategies haven\u2019t been successful in relieving your symptoms, a probiotic may be helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to note that there are medications approved in Canada for IBS (over the counter or prescription) that can help your symptoms. Speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or dietician about what could be helpful for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n View the full mediaplanet article on IBS and women here. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n View the full mediaplanet Women’s Health campaign here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n1. First, try changing up your diet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2. Break up with stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Try the low FODMAP diet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Test out a probiotic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n