A spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) is a digestive disorder which may causes various symptoms, including diarrhea, stool mucus and bloating. Individuals who suffer with spastic colon may benefit from some tips for caring for spastic colon. One tip for caring for a spastic colon is counseling and stress reduction. Some other tips for caring for a spastic colon are practicing yoga, taking medications and making dietary changes. These tips may be used separately or combined to reduce spastic colon symptoms.
Counseling and Stress Reduction
The purpose of counseling is to determine what triggers your spastic-colon symptoms. For example, an extended period of unemployment may cause your body to experience tension or anger, and your stress may trigger various digestive system symptoms, including chronic diarrhea with mild nausea.
With your physician's assistance, choose a qualified mental-health-care professional and visit the him or her to discuss a treatment plan. Advise your physician and the mental-health counselor if your symptoms change.
Yoga Sessions
Visit an alternative-health specialist who has treated spastic-colon patients. For example, a yoga instructor can create an individualized program of yoga poses and monitor your progress weekly. Ask your yoga instructor for testimonials from satisfied spastic-colon clients and contact each client for confirmation about the instructor's professionalism and how the yoga sessions helped to reduce colon symptoms.
Medications
Speak with your doctor about medications to control your spastic-colon symptoms. Your physician may suggest taking an over-the-counter medication such as an antidiarrheal. Your physician may advise taking the antidiarrheal before eating meals to give your body time to adjust, or he or she may advise taking the medication only when your symptoms are triggered.
Review any OTC or prescribed spastic-colon medication with your physician regularly. For instance, your colon symptoms may change, and that may require adjusting your medication dosage. Take your medication as prescribed by your doctor or as directed on the label of the OTC medication.
Dietary Changes
Changing your diet may offer relief from a spastic colon. One change is reducing your dietary intake of trans-fatty acids, which may be found in processed foods such as frozen television dinners, French fries and margarine. Contact a qualified nutrition specialist such as a dietitian to learn substitute healthier food choices for foods containing trans-fats.
Avoid purchasing and eating foods which may produce bloating and gas. For example, substitute corn and potatoes for gas-producing red peppers and cabbage. Also monitor your dietary choices when dining out. Top a baked potato with fresh chives or avocado rather than with onions and beans.
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