I've found that a combination of adhering strictly to an IBS-safe diet (as with IC, not all IBSers are exactly alike in what they can and cannot eat - only you know what will provoke your symptoms), and using products such as peppermint, fennel, ginger, and oregano teas and capsules; taking flax seed oil caps, and attempting (easier said than done, I know) to keep my daily stress levels in check have all provided help when I've been bloated with IBS, and with my IBS in general.
Other techniques that some people use (I've tried some of them, results varied) include taking warm baths, using heating pads, meditating, doing certain types of yoga, using hypnosis, acupuncture, taking fiber supplements, using certain natural products like digestive enzymes, and prescription medications.
If you'd like to know more about the IBS diet (and how it can tie into eating for IC), you may find this article that I wrote of interest: The IBS diet from an IC perspective.
An informative site about many IBS related issues is the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders', About IBS page.
Have you noticed that particular things bring about an increase in your bloating? (Such as eating certain foods, doing strenuous exercise (some ICers, myself included, note that bending and stretching exercises that involve the ab muscles can provoke our IBS symptoms - vacuuming is enough to do it for me), or even taking medications.) If it seems like it's hard to make heads or tails out of what things provoke your symptoms (and this certainly applies equally to IBS and IC), it can be very helpful to keep a health journal where you track your symptoms, diet, medications, feelings, and other related health info each day. Not only does this help you to spot potential "trends" amongst causes which may be upsetting your IBS/IC/etc and provide you with a valuable record of your health, it is an excellent tool to take with you when you visit your doctor so that he/she can further understand what you go through on a daily basis.
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Jessica Cangiano: ICadvice.com creator and administrator
Things that have helped my IBS
Hi Sunshine,
I've found that a combination of adhering strictly to an IBS-safe diet (as with IC, not all IBSers are exactly alike in what they can and cannot eat - only you know what will provoke your symptoms), and using products such as peppermint, fennel, ginger, and oregano teas and capsules; taking flax seed oil caps, and attempting (easier said than done, I know) to keep my daily stress levels in check have all provided help when I've been bloated with IBS, and with my IBS in general.
Other techniques that some people use (I've tried some of them, results varied) include taking warm baths, using heating pads, meditating, doing certain types of yoga, using hypnosis, acupuncture, taking fiber supplements, using certain natural products like digestive enzymes, and prescription medications.
If you'd like to know more about the IBS diet (and how it can tie into eating for IC), you may find this article that I wrote of interest: The IBS diet from an IC perspective.
An informative site about many IBS related issues is the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders', About IBS page.
Have you noticed that particular things bring about an increase in your bloating? (Such as eating certain foods, doing strenuous exercise (some ICers, myself included, note that bending and stretching exercises that involve the ab muscles can provoke our IBS symptoms - vacuuming is enough to do it for me), or even taking medications.) If it seems like it's hard to make heads or tails out of what things provoke your symptoms (and this certainly applies equally to IBS and IC), it can be very helpful to keep a health journal where you track your symptoms, diet, medications, feelings, and other related health info each day. Not only does this help you to spot potential "trends" amongst causes which may be upsetting your IBS/IC/etc and provide you with a valuable record of your health, it is an excellent tool to take with you when you visit your doctor so that he/she can further understand what you go through on a daily basis.
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Jessica Cangiano: ICadvice.com creator and administrator
I have IC, but IC doesn't have me!