Colonic irrigation is normally done as preparation for medical procedures such as a colonoscopy. There are some alternative medicine practitioners who offer colon cleansing for other purposes, such as cleansing and detoxification.

During the process of colonic irrigation, the liquid is introduced into the colon. Commonly this liquid is water mixed with herbs or other liquids. It is inserted into the colon via the rectum using special equipment. This may take about five to fifteen minutes before it is flushed out. This process is repeated until the entire colon is cleared and cleaned.

The main reason many undergo the process of colonic irrigation is autointoxication. It is believed that after some time the accumulations of putrefied feces line the walls of the large intestine and that these accumulations harbor parasites or pathogenic gut flora, causing the presence of toxins resulting in illnesses.

In 2016 a study showed that there were improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms after colonic irrigation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome was done. Below is a list of the 10 main benefits you can gain after going through colonic irrigation.

10 benefits of colonic irrigation

Makes the digestive system work better
When you cleanse your colon, the undigested waste is pushed through your system. This creates a clear way for better nutrient absorption and allows waste to pass easily resulting in more energy and better health.

Maintains regular discharge and prevents constipation
No one wants to have constipation, especially when it’s chronic. When you have constipation your body’s digestive response becomes sluggish, which in turn leaves waste in the system longer. This increases the possibility of irritations, such as hemorrhoids and varicose veins, and many other illnesses. Colonic irrigation prevents constipation and decreases any possibilities of illnesses.

Decrease the risk of colon cancer and other diseases.
All the toxins that go inside your body through eating, drinking, breathing, and are absorbed through your skin end up processed by your gastrointestinal system, kidneys, and liver. If these toxins are not removed from your organs as quickly as possible, they can wreak havoc on your body’s systems resulting in unwanted diseases. By removing stagnant body waste and toxins, you reduce the risk of polyps, cysts, and possible cancerous growth.

Improves concentration
Poor health and ineffective vitamin absorption can cause poor concentration. The buildup of mucus and toxins in your colon can keep your body from getting what it needs to function, even if you eat a consistently healthy diet. Cleansing the colon with a detox diet can be the difference between feeling alert and not being able to focus. With good health comes good concentration.

Increases energy
When the toxins in your body are removed you will feel rejuvenated. This is because colonic irrigation distributes and reroutes the energy that is used for forcing waste through your intestines to other parts of your body. People who have undergone colonic irrigation felt that they have better blood circulation, more restful sleep, and felt an increase in energy.

Improves the body’s ability to absorb vitamins and nutrients
Colonic irrigation clears out the digestive tract, which in return allows water, vitamins, and nutrients to soak into the bloodstream enabling crucial nutrients to flow into the body unobstructed.

Great for starting a weight loss
Food with low fiber content moves through the digestive tract faster compared to food with high fiber content. This slow-moving food produces excess mucus that literally sticks to the intestinal walls, weighing the intestinal tract down with pounds of decaying fecal matter. Through the process of colonic irrigation, the colon is cleansed resulting in better digestion and faster metabolism.

Increase fertility
Colonic irrigation, as well as increased fiber intake combined with healthy food choices, improves overall health resulting in an increased fertility rate. Fat is estrogen-based. When too much fat is present in your body, becoming pregnant can become difficult. A colon that is weighed down by years of buildup can also press on the uterus and surrounding reproductive organs in women, causing strain. Colonic irrigation rids the body of many chemicals and toxins that affect the egg and sperm. This is the reason why many naturopaths recommend that both partners undergo colonic irrigation for better chances of pregnancy.

Maintains PH balance in the bloodstream
Acid-forming high-protein food diets without enough fiber can cause blockages in the colon. This can lead to general malaise in the body. The colon’s tissue can become inflamed resulting in decreased ability to function properly. The colon’s main job is to allow only water, minerals, and vitamins to pass into the bloodstream. If yeasts, molds, fungus, bacteria, parasites or fecal material enter the bloodstream and connected tissue, the body’s pH will be thrown out of balance resulting in bad health and a weaker body.

Puts you in a better mood
Your colon’s health can affect your mood. When your colon is functioning perfectly you can have better appetite control, better sleep, better mental processing, and hormonal balance. The nerves located in the bowel and the brain communicate affecting chemical signals sent by the central nervous system throughout the body.

Do you need to undergo Colon Cleansing or not?

Colon cleansing is another term for colonic irrigation or colonic hydrotherapy. It is the process of flushing the colon with fluids to remove waste. Approximately 60 liters of fluid, mostly water or can be mixed with coffee and herbs, is flushed through a tube into the rectum. Through this process, toxins are then expelled through a different tube, and the process is repeated.

A colonic hygienist or hydrotherapist is a professional who generally performs the colon cleanse. This practice has been around since ancient times. It is commonly performed for patients with severe constipation and those who are resistant to laxative use. Since it can provide them immediate relief. Colon cleansing benefits are based on the belief that there are toxins left in our bodies caused by digestive waste.

Why do a colon cleanse?
Colon cleansing or irrigating your colon may not sound very pleasing, but it can provide numerous health benefits.

The Benefits of colon cleansing.

Benefits of Colon Cleansing

Makes the digestive system work better
When you cleanse your colon, the undigested waste is pushed through your system. This creates a clear way for better nutrient absorption and allows waste to pass easily resulting in more energy and better health.

Maintains regular discharge and prevents constipation
No one wants to have constipation, especially when it’s chronic. When you have constipation your body’s digestive response becomes sluggish, which in turn leaves waste in the system longer. This increases the possibility of irritations, such as hemorrhoids and varicose veins, and many other illnesses. Colonic irrigation prevents constipation and decreases any possibilities of illnesses.

Decrease the risk of colon cancer and other diseases.
All the toxins that go inside your body through eating, drinking, breathing, and are absorbed through your skin end up processed by your gastrointestinal system, kidneys, and liver. If these toxins are not removed from your organs as quickly as possible, they can wreak havoc on your body’s systems resulting in unwanted diseases. By removing stagnant body waste and toxins, you reduce the risk of polyps, cysts, and possible cancerous growth.

Improves concentration
Poor health and ineffective vitamin absorption can cause poor concentration. The buildup of mucus and toxins in your colon can keep your body from getting what it needs to function, even if you eat a consistently healthy diet. Cleansing the colon with a detox diet can be the difference between feeling alert and not being able to focus. With good health comes good concentration.

Increases energy
When the toxins in your body are removed you will feel rejuvenated. This is because colonic irrigation distributes and reroutes the energy that is used for forcing waste through your intestines to other parts of your body. People who have undergone colonic irrigation felt that they have better blood circulation, more restful sleep, and felt an increase in energy.

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
Colon Hydrotherapy can help treat symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, diarrhea, and lessen abdominal pain.

Improves the body’s ability to absorb vitamins and nutrients
Colonic irrigation clears out the digestive tract, which in return allows water, vitamins, and nutrients to soak into the bloodstream enabling crucial nutrients to flow into the body unobstructed.

Puts you in a better mood
Your colon’s health can affect your mood. When your colon is functioning perfectly you can have better appetite control, better sleep, better mental processing, and hormonal balance. The nerves located in the bowel and the brain communicate affecting chemical signals sent by the central nervous system throughout the body.

Great for starting a weight loss
Food with low fiber content moves through the digestive tract faster compared to food with high fiber content. This slow-moving food produces excess mucus that literally sticks to the intestinal walls, weighing the intestinal tract down with pounds of decaying fecal matter. Through the process of colonic irrigation, the colon is cleansed resulting in better digestion and faster metabolism.

Maintains PH balance in the bloodstream
Acid-forming high-protein food diets without enough fiber can cause blockages in the colon. This can lead to general malaise in the body. The colon’s tissue can become inflamed resulting in decreased ability to function properly. The colon’s main job is to allow only water, minerals, and vitamins to pass into the bloodstream. If yeasts, molds, fungus, bacteria, parasites or fecal material enter the bloodstream and connected tissue, the body’s pH will be thrown out of balance resulting in bad health and a weaker body.

Increase fertility
Colonic irrigation, as well as increased fiber intake combined with healthy food choices, improves overall health resulting in an increased fertility rate. Fat is estrogen-based. When too much fat is present in your body, becoming pregnant can become difficult. A colon that is weighed down by years of buildup can also press on the uterus and surrounding reproductive organs in women, causing strain. Colonic irrigation rids the body of many chemicals and toxins that affect the egg and sperm. This is the reason why many naturopaths recommend that both partners undergo colonic irrigation for better chances of pregnancy.

Improves whole-body health
When all the toxins are removed through Colon Hydrotherapy your body will feel refreshed, the nutrients your body needs are absorbed and distributed smoothly, your energy increases, and your colon returns back to its original health.

Who should avoid Colon cleansing?
Colon cleansing is safe for most people, however, it is advisable for some people to avoid it especially the following:
Anyone with diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or ischemic colitis.
Anyone who has had prior colon surgery.
Anyone with kidney disease.
Anyone with heart disease.

It is important to make sure that you talk to an ICHTA Certified Colon Hydrotherapist first before deciding if colon cleansing is right for you and if it’s recommended for your symptoms.

When we eat, the food we intake goes through the stomach. It enters the small intestine, where the body absorbs the majority of its nutrients. Then any remaining waste products will move into the colon. This is where the body removes as much fluid as possible and turns the waste into stool, then eliminates it.

Contractions can be felt as digested food and waste moves in the colon, but no need to worry these contractions are painless and can rarely be noticed. However, if you disregard your colon it can get irritated, inflamed, infected, obstructed, or impeded, it may not be able to break down the food you intake into the nutrients your body needs, and you may experience strong contractions which will cause severe pain and discomfort.

Causes of colon pain

Here are several medical conditions and temporary digestive issues that can cause colon pain.

Constipation
When the stool is too large or too hard, discharge is going to be uncomfortable. This will result in pain near the rectum and anus, as well as abdominal pain.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
IBS can cause stomach pain and cramping in the colon, usually around the time of a bowel movement, constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating, and mucus in the stool.

Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be caused by a number of reasons, like food intolerances, viruses, or bacteria. This happens when the stools are loose and watery causing colon contractions. The fast contractions will lead to abdominal pain and cramping causing colon pain and burning and stinging feeling.

Colitis
Colitis can lead to abdominal pain, bleeding in the rectum, urgency with bowel movements, fever, weight loss, fatigue, nutritional deficiencies, mucus and blood in the stool, and diarrhea or constipation.

Diverticular disease
Diverticulosis disease affects 35% of adults aged 50 and below, and almost 60% of Americans aged 60, according to the NIDDK. This can cause pain, bleeding, and other symptoms as well as: loose stools or diarrhea, cramping in the lower abdomen, blood in the stool, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second-highest cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. according to the American Cancer Society. Patients with colorectal cancer may not experience symptoms right away. So, in situations that you feel or experience colon pain, you should talk to a healthcare professional as soon as possible and do screening tests for colorectal cancer. Symptoms of Colorectal cancer are; abdominal pain near the area of the colon, changes in bowel movements, such as constipation or diarrhea, bright red blood in the stool, urgency to have bowel movements, but which do not provide relief, dark-colored stool, fatigue, and weight loss.

Colon Hydrotherapy
Colon hydrotherapy can help improve your colon health. Colon hydrotherapy, colonics, or colon cleansing is a gentle method of cleaning or rinsing the colon with warm water, to remove all fecal build-up and mucous plagues. When your colon is clean, essential nutrients can be absorbed more effortlessly, harmful bacterias are removed, and you will feel fresher and lighter.

If you often experience constipation, gas, bloating, and other digestive health issues, it can leave your colon malformed, prone to build-up, and not effectively remove harmful bacterias in the body. Colon hydrotherapy can help your colon return to its original healthy form. Plus, it can improve your body’s bowel movements and decrease the probability of gas and bloating.

Colon hydrotherapy is safe. It is often performed by a trained expert, and for the procedure, only FDA-approved equipment is used. Colon hydrotherapy is commonly done as preparation for medical procedures such as colonoscopy. There are also some alternative medicine practitioners that offer colon cleansing for other purposes, like detoxification.

During the process of Colon hydrotherapy, large amounts of liquid are flushed through the colon. This liquid contains 16 gallons or about 60 liters of water and other substances like coffee and herbs. This process is done by inserting a tube into the rectum. And in some cases, small amounts of water are left inside the colon for a short period of time before removed for better results.

Colon hydrotherapy cleanses the colon to remove all the toxins from your gastrointestinal tract that can cause health problems. And with the toxins removed your guts health improves, your energy is increased, and your immune system is improved.

Benefits of Colon Cleansing

Makes the digestive system work better
When you cleanse your colon, the undigested waste is pushed through your system. This creates a clear way for better nutrient absorption and allows waste to pass easily resulting in more energy and better health.

Maintains regular discharge and prevents constipation
No one wants to have constipation, especially when it’s chronic. When you have constipation your body’s digestive response becomes sluggish, which in turn leaves waste in the system longer. This increases the possibility of irritations, such as hemorrhoids and varicose veins, and many other illnesses. Colonic irrigation prevents constipation and decreases any possibilities of illnesses.

Decrease the risk of colon cancer and other diseases.
All the toxins that go inside your body through eating, drinking, breathing, and are absorbed through your skin end up processed by your gastrointestinal system, kidneys, and liver. If these toxins are not removed from your organs as quickly as possible, they can wreak havoc on your body’s systems resulting in unwanted diseases. By removing stagnant body waste and toxins, you reduce the risk of polyps, cysts, and possible cancerous growth.

Improves concentration
Poor health and ineffective vitamin absorption can cause poor concentration. The buildup of mucus and toxins in your colon can keep your body from getting what it needs to function, even if you eat a consistently healthy diet. Cleansing the colon with a detox diet can be the difference between feeling alert and not being able to focus. With good health comes good concentration.

Increases energy
When the toxins in your body are removed you will feel rejuvenated. This is because colonic irrigation distributes and reroutes the energy that is used for forcing waste through your intestines to other parts of your body. People who have undergone colonic irrigation felt that they have better blood circulation, more restful sleep, and felt an increase in energy.

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
Colon Hydrotherapy can help treat symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, diarrhea, and lessen abdominal pain.

Improves the body’s ability to absorb vitamins and nutrients
Colonic irrigation clears out the digestive tract, which in return allows water, vitamins, and nutrients to soak into the bloodstream enabling crucial nutrients to flow into the body unobstructed.

Puts you in a better mood
Your colon’s health can affect your mood. When your colon is functioning perfectly you can have better appetite control, better sleep, better mental processing, and hormonal balance. The nerves located in the bowel and the brain communicate affecting chemical signals sent by the central nervous system throughout the body.

Great for starting a weight loss
Food with low fiber content moves through the digestive tract faster compared to food with high fiber content. This slow-moving food produces excess mucus that literally sticks to the intestinal walls, weighing the intestinal tract down with pounds of decaying fecal matter. Through the process of colonic irrigation, the colon is cleansed resulting in better digestion and faster metabolism.

Maintains PH balance in the bloodstream
Acid-forming high-protein food diets without enough fiber can cause blockages in the colon. This can lead to general malaise in the body. The colon’s tissue can become inflamed resulting in decreased ability to function properly. The colon’s main job is to allow only water, minerals, and vitamins to pass into the bloodstream. If yeasts, molds, fungus, bacteria, parasites or fecal material enter the bloodstream and connected tissue, the body’s pH will be thrown out of balance resulting in bad health and a weaker body.

Increase fertility
Colonic irrigation, as well as increased fiber intake combined with healthy food choices, improves overall health resulting in an increased fertility rate. Fat is estrogen-based. When too much fat is present in your body, becoming pregnant can become difficult. A colon that is weighed down by years of buildup can also press on the uterus and surrounding reproductive organs in women, causing strain. Colonic irrigation rids the body of many chemicals and toxins that affect the egg and sperm. This is the reason why many naturopaths recommend that both partners undergo colonic irrigation for better chances of pregnancy.

Improves whole-body health
When all the toxins are removed through Colon Hydrotherapy your body will feel refreshed, the nutrients your body needs are absorbed and distributed smoothly, your energy increases, and your colon returns back to its original health.

Constipation is actually one of the most common and frequent gastrointestinal problems of anyone anywhere. At least 2.5 million people see their doctor each year because of this.

How to tell if you have constipation:

• Your stools are dry and hard.
• You have fewer than three bowel movements a week.
• You feel bloated.
• Your bowel movement is painful and stools are difficult to pass.
• You have a feeling that you have not fully emptied your bowels.

Constipation can be caused by many factors, like poor diet, lack of exercise, stress, and more. Your age isn’t much of a factor when it comes to constipation, but mothers and people in old age may have a greater probability than others.

Common causes of constipation:

• Old age. People at old age tend to be less active, have a slower metabolism, and less muscle contraction strength along their digestive tract compared to when they were still young.
• Pregnancy and giving birth. Pregnant women and those who just gave birth have higher chances of constipation because of the changes in hormones. In addition, while the baby is inside the womb it squishes the intestines, slowing down the passage of stool.
• Lack of fiber. Not eating enough food that’s high in fiber can lead to irregular bowel movements, loose stools and can also cause stomach pain.
• Taking certain medications. There are some medications that can cause constipation. Medications that cause constipation include pain relievers like opiates, morphine, and codeine to name a few.
• Medical and health conditions. Neurological diseases of the brain and spinal cord and digestive disorders can also cause constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). hypothyroidism, diabetes, uremia, hypercalcemia, and diverticular disease to name a few.
• Severe or long-term stress can cause constipation and stomach pain.
• Lack of water or dehydration. Dehydration can cause or worsen constipation. Lack of water is actually the most common cause of constipation. If you’re not getting enough water your stool may look dry or like small lumps. So, drink as many as eight 8-ounce servings each day.
• Lack of exercise. The abdominal wall muscles and the diaphragm play an important role in the process of defecation. If your muscles are weak, they won’t be able to do their job. Exercise stimulates the nervous system and helps the muscles and nerves in the gut to work better resulting in better digestion.
• Eating large amounts of milk or cheese. Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, can cause constipation especially when eaten in large quantities.
• Change of routine or activity like traveling, eating schedule, or going to bed at different times.
• Not going to the bathroom when needed or resisting the urge to have move bowel

Your diet can also affect your body and cause constipation. Our body responds differently to different foods, so if there is a certain food or foods that causes you to have constipation it would be best for you to avoid eating it or at least lessen it.

Here are 7 types of food that can cause constipation:

• Drinking large amounts of alcohol can cause constipation since you would likely lose a lot of fluids through your urine resulting in dehydration.
• Milk and dairy products. Milk and dairy products like butter, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream are one of the most common causes of constipation.
• Processed grains. Processed grains and products made from them, such as white rice, white bread, and white pasta, have lower fiber content compared to whole grains. This makes it more possible to cause constipation.
• Food containing Gluten. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut, and triticale. There are some who experience constipation when they eat food that contains gluten. If food containing gluten is causing constipation, make sure to talk to your doctor to check and rule out celiac disease before removing gluten from your diet.
• Fried food. Frequently eating large portions of fried foods can increase the risk of constipation. This is because fried foods tend to be high in fat and low in fiber resulting in slow digestion. Instead of fried food, you can choose fruits and vegetables instead.
• Salty food and fast food. Most fast food contains lots of salt, causing lower water content of the stool, drying it up and making it harder to push through the body. Avoid eating large amounts of salty food and fast food.
• Red meat. Red meat can cause and worsen constipation since it contains only a little amount of fiber.  And unlike other types of meat, such as poultry and fish, red meat contains higher amounts of fat which take long to digest resulting in constipation.

Constipation is a symptom and not a disease.

If you are having a hard time with your constipation, in a hurry to leave, or you’ve got a long drive ahead of you, there are a few ways you can speed things up and relieve yourself. The best part is that these ways that I’m gonna share with you are all-natural and doctor-recommended methods.

• Colon Hydrotherapy – otherwise known as Colonic Irrigation is a safe and effective way to immediately alleviate constipation – have a chat to your local colon hydrotherapist today to see if colonics can help you.
• Water enemas – if you don’t have access to colonics – at home water enemas are the next best thing.
• Drink lots of water. When your body is poorly hydrated, it will compensate by withdrawing water from the colon resulting in hard stools. Drink lots of extra water every day.
• Warm beverages like hot coffee or tea, especially in the morning, can help to get things moving. The heat from the hot drink can stimulate bowel movements.
• Add high-fiber foods to your diet. Food like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and others are great for your tummy.  Eat fewer high-fat foods, like meat, eggs, and cheese. You can also add a fiber-rich supplement to your diet.
• Eat prunes and/or bran cereal to improve digestion.
• Make a food diary and take note of the foods that constipate you so you can avoid it next time.
• Exercise regularly. Lack of exercise is one of the main reasons why older people often experience constipation. Small or short exercises can help improve your health and your digestive system, resulting in lesser possibilities of constipation. Even a 10-15 minutes daily exercise can give you great benefits. You can do aerobic exercise: running, jogging, swimming, dancing, or you can also do yoga.
• Avoid reading, using your phone, or doing other stuff while trying to move your bowels.
• Try squatting over the toilet when you need to go. According to Peyton Berookim, MD, director of the Gastroenterology Institute of Southern California in Los Angeles. Squatting modifies the anatomy by relaxing the muscles in that area while also elevating the part of your colon that makes for easier emptying of the bowel. “The closer you are to a full squat, the easier it will be to poop,”
• Give yourself a belly rub. Applying moderate pressure and massaging your abdomen in a clockwise direction can help you move your bowels, says Dr. Berookim. Colonic massage has been shown to improve constipation, he says This can be performed by applying moderate pressure along with the horseshoe shape of the colon in your right lower quadrant. Then continue moving up to the rib cage, across the stomach, and underneath the ribs to your left lower quadrant, which is the point where stool is emptied.
• This is the most important tip. Go when you have to go and don’t wait. Waiting or not going when you need to will only worsen your constipation, so don’t wait.

Most of the time mild constipation can be handled on your own and will pass after a few hours or a day or two, but if the pain goes beyond what you can handle check with a doctor as soon as possible. Call your healthcare provider if:

• Check with your doctor if you don’t usually experience constipation.
• Check with your doctor if there is blood in your stool.
• Check with your doctor if you experience pain while moving bowels.
• Check with your doctor if you are unintentionally losing weight.
• Check with your doctor if your constipation has lasted more than three weeks.

Talk honestly with your doctor and tell him exactly how you feel. Tell the professional healthcare provider if there is anything unusual you feel about your bowel movements, and if there are any questions or concerns you may have. Pooping is not something to be ashamed of, we all do it, and we all should do it. Constipation may be a temporary situation, a long-term problem, or a sign of a more serious condition. Just always be safe and see your doctor, when you feel necessary.

Based on a statistic taken in Australia, about one in every five people may experience signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). You can develop IBS at any age, but for most people, the first symptoms tend to show up in early adulthood and women are more likely to get IBS rather than men and oftentimes they have more severe symptoms.

Some can control their symptoms by managing their diet, their lifestyle and stress, but for those who experience severe symptoms most are treated with medication and counseling. Aside from prescription medicines you can also try natural remedies and over-the-counter remedies to cure and lessen Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS vary but are usually present for a long time. You may experience systems like:

• Abdominal pain, cramping or bloating that is related to passing a bowel movement
• Changes in appearance of bowel movement
• Changes in how often you are having a bowel movement
• Bloating caused by increased gas or mucus in the stool.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you have a persistent change in bowel habits or other signs or symptoms of IBS. This may indicate a more serious condition, like colon cancer.

Signs and symptoms you should be aware of:

• Weight loss
• Diarrhea at night
• Rectal bleeding
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Unexplained vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing
• Persistent pain that isn’t relieved by passing gas or a bowel movement

Causes

The precise cause of IBS isn’t known, but it may include factors such as:

• Nervous system. You might experience discomfort when there are abnormalities in the nerves in your digestive system. This happens when your abdomen stretches from gas or stool. Poorly coordinated signals between the brain and the intestines can cause your body to overreact to changes that normally occur in the digestive process. Such changes will result in abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation.
• Severe infection. You can develop irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) after a severe bout of diarrhea or gastroenteritis. A bacteria or virus could have caused this, or it may also be caused by a bacterial overgrowth in the intestines.
• Severe stress. If you are exposed to stressful events, especially if you are a child, you have more tendencies of experiencing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Aside from IBS children experiencing severe stress may also feel headache, unexplainable pain, vomiting, and unbearable discomfort. Stress is never a good thing no matter what your age is.
• Muscle contractions in the intestine. The walls of the intestines are lined with layers of muscle that contract as they move food through your digestive tract. If you are experiencing contractions that are stronger and last longer than normal it can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. Weak intestinal contractions are also not good. It can slow the food passage and lead to hard and dry stools.
• Changes in gut microbes. Changes in bacteria, fungi and viruses, which normally reside in the intestines, play an important role in our health. Research indicates that the microbes in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are different from those in healthy people.

Triggers

IBS can be triggered by two main factors, food and stress.

• We all need food to survive, but many of us have food allergies. There isn’t much research or information regarding food allergy or food intolerance in relation to IBS. Normally food allergy rarely causes IBS, but many people experience worse IBS symptoms when they eat or drink certain foods or beverages, like dairy products, citrus fruits, beans, wheat, cabbage, milk and carbonated drinks.

• Most people with IBS experience worse or more-frequent signs and symptoms when they are under severe stress. Stress may aggravate IBS symptoms, but it doesn’t cause them.

Treatment

Some prescription medication may come with potential side effects and aren’t always as effective as advertised. Aside from prescription medicine you can try natural remedies and over-the-counter remedies. Below are some natural remedies you may try:

1. Colonic Irrigation and Colon Hydrotherapy

Believe it or not, thousands of IBS sufferers have found relief from their condition by working with a qualified colon hydrotherapist to do a deep colon cleanse and reset their gut health. Colon Hydrotherapy has been around for centuries and was used in ancient times as a way of improving overall health. Even Hipocrates, the grandfather of western medicine, said that the colon is the river of life and all diseases begin in the gut. For more information, contact your local certified colon hydrotherapist today.

2. Avoid problem foods

There might be some food that doesn’t get along well with your stomach, make sure to avoid them. These may include alcohol, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, dairy products, and sugar-free sweeteners such as sorbitol or mannitol. If you’re lactose intolerant, avoid drinking milk and try yogurt instead. Or you can also use an enzyme product to help break down lactose.

3. Try fiber

When you have IBS, fiber can be a mixed blessing. Although it helps reduce constipation, it can also make gas and cramping worse. So, if you want to experiment with fiber you can start by slowly increasing the amount of fiber in your diet over a period of weeks. If your signs and symptoms remain the same or worse, tell your doctor and a dietitian. Or you can also try fiber supplements since they cause less gas and bloating. Just make sure to introduce it slowly and drink plenty of water every day to reduce gas, bloating and constipation.

Examples of foods that contain fiber:

• Grains
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Beans

4. Eat on time regularly

Avoid skipping meals, and try to eat around the same time every day to help regulate bowel function. If you have diarrhea, eating small frequent meals can make you feel better, but if you’re constipated, eating larger amounts of high-fiber foods can help move food through your intestines.

5. Drink lots of water

Drink plenty of fluids every day. Alcohol, carbonated drinks, and beverages that contain caffeine can stimulate your intestines and can make your diarrhea worse as well as produce gas. Avoid these drinks and drink plenty of water instead.

6. Exercise regularly

Exercise helps relieve depression and stress, stimulate normal contractions of your intestines, and can help you feel better about yourself.

7. L-Glutamine

IBS is often associated with chronic gastritis, this may cause the lining of your small intestine to break down, creating tiny openings that allow digestive by-products, called lipopolysaccharides, to slip through and enter your body. These uninvited guests can ignite the immune system, causing a generalized inflammatory reaction and symptoms such as achiness and fatigue. If your IBS makes you feel tired or achy, you can try taking L-glutamine. L-Glutamine is a supplement that can help the lining of your gut heal to correct the permeability issue.

8. Acupuncture

If constipation is your main IBS symptom, you may want to try the ancient Chinese medicine technique acupuncture. Acupuncture can help relieve constipation and get the bowels moving again. It involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific points to balance the body’s energy or life force, also called qi (pronounced “chee”). A study published in December 2020 in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that acupuncture improved functional connections in the brain that eased symptoms of IBS-D and improved quality of life for patients.

9. Mindfulness for Stress Relief

Reducing stress through mindfulness can help calm down your gut nerves. Based on a study published in September 2020 in the journal Neurogastroenterology and Motility, it states that after an eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction practice, more than 70% of the participants in the study showed improved IBS symptoms. Andrew K. Powell recommends the 5-5-5 practice. That is, “smell the roses” by inhaling through your nose for a count of five. Hold that breath for five counts, then exhale through your mouth for a count of five or longer, as if you are blowing out candles on your birthday cake”.

10. Yoga

Physical activity is an integral part of the mind-body connection, this is where yoga comes in. Studies suggest that regular yoga can be helpful in managing IBS. It states that practicing yoga can lead to improvements in physical health and a more positive outlook on life, which helps decrease IBS symptoms.

11. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil has been used as a herbal remedy for centuries. ACG acknowledges that this herb can soothe the gut and provide relief for all IBS symptoms. A recent meta-analysis published in January 2019 in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies found that regular intake of peppermint oil capsules with meals helped reduce IBS symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, and constipation. Just take note that peppermint oil could make heartburn worse so be careful how much you take. It’s best to talk to your doctor before trying peppermint oil.

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