Archives for November 2015

IBS Symptoms Treatment

People don’t like talking about bowel movements, using the bathroom, and everything that comes with it, which is why a lot of people feel alone when they are struggling with bowel and colon related problems. Because of this, a lot of people living with IBS symptoms (irritable bowel syndrome) don’t know they have it or don’t realise that actually quite a few people suffer with it in their lifetime. According to the IBS Network, IBS “affects around a third of the population at some point in their lives” and for these people it is very important that there are proper measures in place for treating IBS symptoms.

IBS symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition of the digestive system, often causing diarrhoea and/or constipation. Other IBS symptoms include stomach pains, bloating, flatulence, and can cause headaches and nausea too. There is no definitive cause of IBS, but it is believed that gut sensitivity plays a role in it, as well as stress and certain foods. It’s important that if you are struggling with similar symptoms, that you head to your GP as they can test you for IBS or any other underlying conditions.

IBS can affect anybody, although it seems more women suffer with it than men do. It might not always be present, sometimes it is worse than others. There are many more IBS symptoms such as backache, pain during sex, lethargy and bladder problems. If the symptoms are very bad, your doctors may give you medication to help cope, but if it’s not too life consuming, there are plenty of natural ways to help ease your symptoms.

If you have IBS, there are a few great ways of coping and living with the condition. It’s all about living a healthy lifestyle and taking good care of your digestive system.

Here are a few tips to help you live happier and healthier with IBS symptoms:-

1. Reduce Stress:

It’s believed that IBS is worsened or brought on by stress and anxiety. When we’re stressed, we don’t eat correctly and we don’t take proper care of our bodies, all reasons as to why IBS flares up during these periods. If you do find that your IBS is affected by stress, it’s very important to manage your stress and anxiety levels. Whether you reduce stress levels with CBT, meditation or exercise, you will hopefully see a reduction in IBS symptoms.

2. Increase diet of Fibre-rich Foods:

Increasing the amount of fibre you eat is important for people with IBS, especially if you struggle with constipation. Fibre loosens stools, making them easier to pass through and out of your body. Fibre can be found in fruits, vegetables and oats. Soluble fibres from fruit and vegetables aid constipation. Cut down on insoluble fibres such as nuts and cereals if you are struggling with diarrhoea.

3. Avoid Extra Flatulence:

Obviously you can’t stop a natural bodily function completely. It’s not healthy to hold in flatulence as this can cause pain and other problems, but you can avoid creating more flatulence than normal. By avoiding foods such as sprouts, cabbage and fizzy drinks, you avoid creating more gas than you would naturally.

4. Drink Water:

Drink more water throughout the day to help your digestive system. Drinking water also helps aid constipation.

5. Avoid certain foods & keep Food Diary:

Certain food groups can cause digestive problems for different people. If you believe there is a certain food that is making your symptoms worse, try avoiding different food groups. For a short while, avoid gluten or lactose and see if your symptoms are relieved at all. A dietician could help with this.

Another good way to see what foods are making your IBS worse is by keeping a food diary. Note down everything you eat and drink, make a note of how you feel afterwards and look back over it and see if there are any links between what you eat and how you feel.

6. Avoid Milk:

A lot of people who suffer with IBS are lactose intolerant, so milk can make symptoms much worse.

7. Reduce consumption of Caffeine:

Caffeine can increase diarrhoea, which is something that people with IBS don’t want any more of. As much as you might love a coffee in the morning, avoiding caffeine would be a lot more beneficial to living a healthy and happy life with IBS.

CONCLUSION

Do not be afraid of talking about bowel movements,stools or flatulence. IBS is a lot more common than people believe and anybody can suffer with it. It’s important that we talk about what we put in our bodies and what comes out of it. It’s all a part of life. It’s all natural.

James Kelly

http://www.learnhandyhealthandwellnesstips.com

High Wycombe, Western Australia, 6057

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Eat These Foods for Beautiful Eyes

Although vision correction surgery seems to be more and more popular, especially LASIK eye surgery, the first method of taking care of your eyes is preventative. Your eyes can be helped significantly by making sure to consume certain foods for beautiful eyes on a regular basis. As part of an overall healthy diet, find some favorites and keep those windows to the world fog-free.

foods for beautiful eyes

You only get two eyes, so keep in mind these foods for beautiful eyes and to keep those peepers protected!

1. Carrots

The first food that probably comes to mind when you think about foods for beautiful  eyes are carrots, and that is still true. The beta-carotene in carrots is a type of vitamin A, that is known for protecting your eyes, especially the retina. That’s good for your night vision or other low light situations. Other orange foods like sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe and apricots also are known for beta-carotene, but it doesn’t have to be orange to have this vitamin. Spinach and kale also pack a punch when it comes to vitamin A.

2. Leafy Greens

Green and leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, collard greens and broccoli are chock full of the antioxidants Zeaxanthin and Lutein One study found these two antioxidants cut the risk of developing cataracts up to 50% and can even slow the progression of macular degeneration if you already have it. They also protect the eyes from some ultraviolet rays in sunlight and studies suggest these antioxidants improve vision in both dim light and glare. One cup of cooked kale or spinach has the equivalent of 20 milligrams of these two nutrients. Other foods that contain these same nutrients include romaine lettuce, turnip greens, green peas, green beans and even corn. If green is not your favorite food color, don’t despair. The same nutrients can be found in oranges and egg yolks, although in lesser amounts. So avoid cataract surgery and have a Cobb salad for lunch and cooked greens with your dinner.

foods for beautiful eyes

3. Fruits

Speaking of oranges, everyone knows that they are high in vitamin C, as are other citrus fruits and juices like grapefruit juice. But to a lesser extent, other fruits contain this same vitamin such as blueberries, blackberries and strawberries. Vitamin C, besides being known for boosting your immune system, it is also known for guarding against macular degeneration and cataracts. A cup of orange juice has about 124 milligrams of vitamin C and grapefruit juice contains about 94 milligrams. If you don’t like citrus however, don’t panic. Vitamin C is also found in good amounts in foods like green and red peppers, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli and leafy greens. So add some grapefruit or orange segments to your salad, and you’ve got your vitamin C foods for the day.

foods for beautiful eyes

4. Seeds and Nuts

Seeds and nuts contain Vitamin E, which also helps avoid macular degeneration and cataracts by protecting the cells in your eyes from free radicals. Wheatgerm, hazelnuts, peanut butter, almonds and sunflower seeds all contain lots of vitamin E. So eating a handful of nuts, or just over an ounce, is around half your daily recommended amount.

5. Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids are contained in foods like fish such as mackerel, anchovies, tuna, salmon and trout. Fatty acids help with retina function and visual development; they also help with dry eye syndrome, as low levels of DHA, a fatty acid found in your retina, has been linked to dry eye syndrome. None of those fish sound appetizing? How do you feel about oysters? Or you could look to substitute with fish oil, walnuts or flaxseed.

6. Fish

So here’s another reason to develop a love of oysters. Oysters contain zinc, which helps with night vision and potentially keeping cataracts at bay, as well. Liver, (another favorite?), and red meat, poultry, shellfish, milk, baked beans and whole grains are other good sources of zinc.

 

Summary

As part of a healthy diet, these foods in particular will go a long way in protecting your eyes. If you have any concerns such as trouble seeing at night, blurry vision or dry eyes, it could just be situational or a more serious, oncoming issue. Check with a professional, such as the lasik surgeons at EyeCare 20/20, to find out for sure.

Congratulations if you are eating most of these foods for beautiful eyes now. If not, there are a lot of options and combinations to improve your risk of problems later. So eat well for your eyes and you can focus on all the healthy years they have ahead.

 

Author’s Bio

Melanie Valenzuela has been writing smart content for several years and currently writes on behalf of the eye surgeons at EyeCare 20/20. When not writing, she can be found working on her world perspective through travel; or challenging her heart rate through tennis, running or attending a Kansas City Royals baseball game. You can find her at www.linkedin.com/in/melanieval