ARE YOU HAVING A SEVERE IBS ATTACK?
Are you experiencing abdominal bloating, painful gas cramps, lower gastrointestinal distress along with diarrhea or constipation?
TRY THESE SUGGESTIONS TO CALM A SEVERE IBS ATTACK!
First, do no more harm!
For the next few hours, if you are hungry and want to eat, eat only chicken noodle or rice soup, broth, or vegetarian broths (low fat varieties), cooked white rice, saltines, room-temperature water, no cold drinks, peppermint tea (a little honey in it is ok), and flat ginger ale. For over-the-counter help, try Immodium AD for diarrhea, stool softeners for constipation, and Gas-X for gas and bloating. If you must go out, take Beano or another stomach enzyme product along with you in case you have to stop and eat at a restaurant.
During an attack try to lie down with a heating pad or hot water bottle on your tummy: heat is helpful for calming the gas cramps.
When the attack has calmed down, whether hours or days later, try slowly adding these foods to your diet when hungry: mashed ripe banana (no smoothies yet), thin mashed potatoes mashed with chicken or vegetable broth, unsweetened apple juice and applesauce, well cooked carrots, and small amounts of stewed or baked boneless, skinless chicken breast - not even IBS-safe margarines or milks for a day or two. Only use salt, no other condiments. Later on, consider pureed
foods in the blender, or strained baby foods, as alternatives, particularly the baby foods such as applesauce, sweet potato, oatmeal, banana, etc to have on hand.
In my personal experience, following these guidelines for 48-72 hours can get you back on the road to whatever your "normal" digestive health should be.
When you are ready to eat bread, sour dough is best as well as fresh white
deli-type rolls and sour dough English muffins. Try Smart Balance margarine for an IBS safer, healthier and delicious spread. Egg-free noodles and pasta without sauces, just add hot broth. Seedless jams and jellies, along with honey and real maple syrup, in moderation, on toast or pancakes, are usually okay after 72 hours. And you can usually resume taking a safe soluble fiber supplement you regularly use after 3-4 days.
Discuss with your physician about taking your usual prescriptions.
TRY EATING SEVERAL SMALL MEALS A DAY OF IBS SAFE FOODS RATHER THAN THE USUAL THREE LARGE MEALS.
A Banana Smoothie for Breakfast is often a safe, fast and nutritious way to start the day. I add a teaspoon of Heather's acacia prebiotic fiber powder to it, while blending, for a safe fiber addition.
See Heather's products at www.helpforibs.com
This is really worth trying for all IBS sufferers, and especially those with Diabetes.
I DO NOT CLAIM TO BE A TRAINED MEDICAL PERSON NOR DO I GIVE OUT PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES TO YOUR DIET OR LIFESTYLE.
