IBS Non dietary help for ibs / painful bowel movement

[I'll make tea]

Hi,

I started another thread about my husband having IBS but not wanting to follow a healthy diet today and @Al_Lurker told me many of you have digestive problems (which are may be stress related). I did some reading.

Sorry for creating another thread... but it is a different topic because when my husband does not change his diet yet may be I can help him another way.

He has IBS, spends a lot of time on the toilet and he says he never feels really empty.

Wonder if I can massage his belly or something to make it relax. I can find little information on non-dietary help online.

 

[The Albatross]

With all due respect, there isn't much you can do to calm the GI tract short of fiber, water, gastro intestinal probiotics and some dietary compliance.

 

[arfie]

My own 3 favorite non-dietary assists are 1) walking/stretching 2) heating pads 3) hot herbal baths. Taking the back side of a spooning cuddle makes an exquisite, natural heating pad. Massage never helped me much.

My docs have told me that never empty feel is quite accurate. The diarrhea is caused by the bowels trying to squeeze stuff past blockages.

 

[arfie]

P.S. My current favorite bath herb is mustard, but chamomile, lavender and eucalyptus have also been faves. There is a rich variety available.

 

[Deleted member 19804]

I have IBS and I have found a few things that seem to make a real difference for me. Perhaps they can make a significant change for your husband too.

- I do not consume any artificial sweeteners (like aspartame, acesulfame, etc.), which are very common in light-products. They give your body the illusion that you're consuming sugar, when in fact there are no calories to prove it. This confuses the digestive system and it's been the main cause for a lot of stomach aches. Quitting the artificial stuff has made a huge difference for me, if not the biggest one too.
- I go easy on the fizzy kinds of soda
- Drinking a glass of milk can calm your stomach

However, I think one shouldn't underestimate the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle. If not for the prevention of IBS symptoms, he should do it for his own happiness and for you, because he'll be around longer if he takes good care of himself.

 

[Justmehere]

Somatic therapy oddly helped my old IBS symptoms. I don't know if this is common or not. It wasn't the goal, but it sure was a helpful side effect of therapy.

It wouldn't hurt to try things that would help him relax. It may not help the IBS but maybe it would help overall.

 

[InsideAWord]

Exercising, drinkings lots of water, and stool softeners.

 

[Maggiemay]

A long soak in the bath is good for muscle cramping....

 

[daniel b]

I've found that with my IBS it was a lot of trial and error on what foods would pass ease and what hurt the most I found that raspberry ice tea would flush me out and I'd feel empty but very drained of energy also after the process.

 

[DMerish]

After having IBS for many years, my gastroentrologist last year suggested that I go on a FODMAP diet. http://ibs.about.com/od/treatmentofibs/a/The-Fodmap-Theory-For-IBS.htm

It's not easy at first, and one person's "no" foods may not encompass the entier "no" list of foods. For instance, apples are one of the foodss listed as a "no" yet I do just fine with apples: in fact, an apple a day really helps me. I've also gone glueten free not because I've been tested for gluten intolarance but because often times bread and pasta would cause some uncomfortable symptoms. Learning which foods on the FODMAP diet I can tolorate, staying away from those I can't, decreasing sugar considerably, and going almost gluten free . . . it is now very rare that I suffer from any IBS symptoms. And that makes my life sooooo much more pleasant!

Drew

 

[I'll make tea]

However, I think one shouldn't underestimate the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle. If not for the prevention of IBS symptoms, he should do it for his own happiness and for you, because he'll be around longer if he takes good care of himself.

*sigh* While I could not agree more it feels pretty pointless to try to make my husband adopt a healthy lifestyle. I am lucky: He does work out - not for his health, but because he likes it. Hubby says I should count my blessings because in comparison to other Vets he is a healthnut.

 

[I'll make tea]

Thanks for the tipps. There seems to a link between PTSD and IBS.

Hubby likes hot baths, there has not been much time for it lately. I am going to ask him if he wants to have a bath next weekend + going to buy some herbs.