Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects nearly 10% of the worldwide population. IBS regularly is mistreated, leading to unnecessary surgeries in women: like hysterectomies and ovarian surgeries. Plus, due to the nature of this condition, some people are embarrassed to seek out help, further contributing to their symptoms. In this post, we’ll take a look at the answers to a few questions: what helps IBS pain instantly, how can I stop my IBS from hurting, and what can I take for bowel pain?
Why Does IBS Hurt?
So, why does IBS hurt? At the root of this problem lies inflammation. When your bowels become inflamed, the natural muscle contractions that occur throughout the day and during bowel movements cause the tissues to move and rub against each other. This, along with the general internal response to inflammation, produces pain that can range from mild to extremely severe, sometimes even crippling. Surviving with IBS can be difficult!
How Can I Stop My IBS From Hurting?
Since IBS is an inflammatory disease, we need to address that inflammation. You can either address it at the root cause (proactive) or treat the symptoms (reactive). Let’s take a look at some ways you can relieve your IBS pain:
Proactive IBS Pain Relief
1. Take Probiotics
Some patients find that taking a high-quality probiotic decreases or completely eliminates their symptoms. For these patients, an imbalance in gut microbes may have been to blame for the inflammation and trouble processing food.
2. Monitor and Eliminate Triggers
Our colorectal specialists here at the Colorectal Clinic of Tampa Bay usually recommend that patients develop a food diary. This is a critical tool that will help you identify and eliminate food and drink triggers that may be contributing to your IBS.
3. Increase Your Fiber Intake
Another factor that may worsen or even instigate IBS symptoms is a lack of fiber in the diet. As we mentioned above, healthy gut bacteria are extremely important in minimizing your symptoms. However, those bacteria need “food” to stay alive - otherwise, your probiotic is a waste of money. Fiber will also bulk up your stool, making it easier to pass if this is an issue for you.
4. Monitor and Manage Your Stress Levels
It’s no secret that stress has an effect on IBS symptoms. You know your body and mind best; select activities that will help you manage your daily stress and you’ll be well on your way to reducing your IBS symptoms.
Reactive IBS Pain Relief
1. Use Heating Pads
So, what helps IBS pain instantly? Oddly enough, heating pads are most likely to give you instantaneous relief. Like any inflammation in the body, heat can help relieve the pain associated with it. Be careful not to use this pain relief method if you are pregnant.
2. Drink Soothing, Herbal Teas
Herbal, non-caffeinated teas are a great way to relax your body and reduce the symptoms associated with IBS. Since caffeine can be an IBS trigger, make sure to avoid teas with caffeine in them.
3. Get Moving With Exercise
Exercise is good for your body, regardless of whether you struggle with IBS. Even going for a short walk will help get your body and your bowels moving. This tip can be especially helpful if you consumed a trigger food or beverage and need it to work out of your body.
4. Take Pain Medication that Reduces Inflammation
While not instantaneous, the relief from pain medication will likely be the most drastic and effective. If you’re wondering “what can I take for bowel pain,” non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a good place to start. This is because they also reduce inflammation. This will include medications like ibuprofen, naproxen, and others.