Natural Remedies for IBS

Amy Brantley
Pain so bad, it will stop you in your tracks. I've been there. IBS is one of the most painful stomach conditions a person can have and sometimes OTC medicines don't do the job - or you just don't have any on hand. In the years since I was first diagnosed with IBS, I've learned several tricks that have helped ease the pain. I hope they can offer some relief, the next time you experience a flare up.

Walking

I for one cannot sit still when I have a bad flare up from my IBS. I have to get up and move around. Thankfully, I've found that walking can help. Not only does the movement help decrease the pain, but the motion also triggers belching, which obviously helps relief even more of the pain. I'm not saying you need to walk a mile. I've found simply getting up and walking across the room can help. If you wanted to place more pressure on the stomach to help relieve the gas, you might want to try walking up and down the steps of your home.

Hot Shower

IBS induced stomach cramps can be a nightmare. I've have had pains so bad I felt like passing out and have found myself in tears more than once. During my last flare up, I discovered that hot showers can make a huge difference. I have a hand-held shower head and just let the hot water pour over my stomach and the cramps start to fade away. A hot shower can also be a great stress reducer, which can also help reduce the length of the flare up.

Peppermint Oil

While I haven't tried it myself, a lot of people swear by peppermint oil. People suffering from IBS are instructed to take the oil 1-2 drops up to three times per day, as needed. The oil can be purchased from any drugstore, but oil isn't your only options. Peppermint oil can also be found in capsules and you can even drink peppermint tea to help relief the pain.

Ginger Ale

While I did give up drinking soda almost a year ago, it has been one of the best remedies I've found. The key is to purchase ginger ale made with real ginger (such as Canada Dry). Not only does the ginger help sooth your stomach, but the carbonation also helps you belch. If you want something truly natural, consider making your own ginger ale at home.

Sources:

Peppermint Oil Uses

Related Topics:

What Everyone Should Know About IBS

Published by Amy Brantley - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle

A passionate writer who specializes in food-related content and has hopes of changing the way people think about cooking. Has published over a thousand pieces of food-related content. Amy is available for wr...  View profile

To comment, please sign in to your Yahoo! account, or sign up for a new account.