Holiday Tips for IBS Patients

When you live with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), its symptoms can significantly lower your quality of life and interfere with your ability to have a good time. That’s because this digestive disorder causes issues that include:

Abdominal bloating and pain Gas

Constipation Diarrhea

Even when you have your IBS under control, certain factors can trigger flare-ups, especially during the holiday season.

As a top-ranked gastroenterology practice serving men and women in the Miami area, our GastroMed team can help keep your IBS symptoms under control, even during the holidays. When you follow these simple tips, you’ll feel jolly and bright all season long.

Plan ahead

Having a good plan sets you up for success, especially when you have IBS. Before leaving home, eat a small snack or meal. This can help you avoid indulging in any foods at a party, especially those that might cause gastrointestinal distress.

As soon as you arrive at a new location, be sure to locate the bathroom in case any IBS symptoms arise.

Pack a ditty bag

Whether we like it or not, emergencies can happen. If you have IBS, always carry a bag with medications you use to relieve your symptoms. It’s also useful to bring a change of clothes and underwear, baby wipes, and a disposable bag to store any soiled clothing.

Avoid food triggers

Eating is a huge part of the holiday season, and that can cause significant problems when you have IBS. Common IBS food triggers include:

Foods with gluten, like wheat, rye, and barley Dairy products

Sugar

High-gas foods, like beans, cabbage, and broccoli

To avoid aggravating your symptoms, bring IBS-friendly food items that you eat on a regular basis to help you avoid temptation.

Don’t forget to hydrate

While hydration is essential for everyone, it’s even more important for men and women with IBS. That’s because drinking plenty of water keeps your stools soft so that they’re easy to pass. Staying hydrated is also crucial if you’re experiencing diarrhea because it restores any lost fluid.

What’s more, even if you’re tempted to celebrate with alcohol or caffeine, these beverages are best avoided because they can trigger IBS symptoms.

Make time to relax

A key cause of IBS symptoms is stress, and what could be more stressful than the holidays? To avoid added stress, be sure to take time to relax throughout the hustle and bustle of the season. We recommend practicing relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation, on a daily basis

You should also treat yourself to stress-busters, like exercising for 30 minutes, taking a soothing bath, or treating yourself to a relaxing cup of tea. And remember, don’t be afraid to say no when you start feeling overwhelmed.

Have fun!

It’s hard living with IBS, especially during the holiday season. But when you take time to slow down, plan ahead, and relax, you’ll be able to enjoy the season.

For more tips on controlling your IBS all year long, call us at GastroMed at one of our convenient Miami locations today.