Acid Reflux

October 28, 2011

IBS and Acid Reflux

IBS and acid reflux are related. About three months ago, I started having this problem; I had gas with unbelievable pain, not to mention the pendulum swing from constipation to diarrhea. That gas problem was most embarrassing.

IBS and acid reflux

The pain was so bad I had to quickly excuse myself and go find some isolated site. That is not always easy to do at the office. And, it certainly isn’t easy to talk about. Fortunately, there are some natural cures for this ailment that I will share with you and I’ll also share some of the causes of IBS and acid reflux.

What Is IBS?

What is IBS? The medical profession doesn’t really know what causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome. There are a variety of symptoms that accompany IBS and that are linked with IBS. A person suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome can experience anyone of the following symptoms or all of them.

• Gas (flatulence) sometimes accompanied by bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Stomach rumblings
• Severe heartburn
• Indigestion

These are all symptoms of IBS. Not surprisingly, all of these symptoms are common to both IBS and acid reflux.

Diet is one probable cause of these symptoms. Foods that your body does not digest well can aggravate the problem. Stress has also been linked with IBS. Continuous intake of medication like ibuprofen and anti-biotics can make IBS worse. Diet and stress are common to both IBS and acid reflux.

Friday Night

Sometimes life gets the best of you. It shouldn’t, but you and I know that it does. There are bills to pay. The kids need new shoes. Winter is coming and the heating bills are on the rise. The economy just won’t let up. Millions of people are out of a job. What’s this world coming to?

My Dad would always say, “You know, son, there’s always Friday night.” My Dad grew up during the depression. So I know that he must have known something about how to pick up your spirits. I’m still not exactly sure what my Dad was telling me. Still, I knew then that he knew something that I didn’t. I know you will find these tips helpful, useful, and maybe even amusing!

Laughter

The best cure for most ailments even physical ones is laughter. The medical profession has conducted studies that show laughter speeds up the recovery of patients. Yes, I know if your spirit is down how are going to laugh. Well, it’s easy. Force yourself to go to the library or your local bookstore. Find a joke book. Yes, a joke book.

Soon, and I can almost guarantee it, you will start to smile and then maybe laugh. Another good way to make yourself laugh is to rent a good comedy; you know one of those old slapstick comedies like Abbot and Costello or Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin. You have never heard of them? Then, you are in for a treat!

UCLA’s Center for Neurovisceral Sciences and Women’s Health conducted studies that have led researchers to speculate that life stress plays an important role in contributing to heartburn and other gastrointestinal symptoms which includes IBS. Reduce your stress level; laugh a little.

Physical Activity

Here’s another. Make an effort to do something outside. Take a walk; cut the grass; just do something. It does not matter what. So long as it’s something physical; it doesn’t have to be heavy work, just physical.

Why? By making the body concentrate on doing a task we naturally focus on something other than whatever it is that is making us feel blue. I noticed that whenever my wife and I had a disagreement, the house was cleaner and the yard neater. Most often, by the end of the day all was well.

Pick Up Your Spirits

Finally, there’s spirits, the tangible liquid kind, the kind that you pour from a bottle. Now this is certainly unconventional advice and it is not for everyone. It’s the only form of medication that I will take if my spirits are down. Do you know why they are called spirits?

Think about it this way. You take a living thing, a grape, some other fruit, or maybe some barley and you let it die. You add a little yeast. Up rises the spirit of the fruit or of the barley. And, voila, you have spirits. More often than not, they will raise your spirits or at the very least you won’t care. Just don’t overdo it and you certainly do not want to drive, having a nice glass or two while sitting by the fire never hurt anyone.

What it all comes down to is, of course, a state of mind. Laughter will change your outlook the moment you exhale that unique sound. A short trip to the bookstore, library, or video rental can change your attitude. Even doctors recommend it. Isn’t it an investment worth making?

Getting caught up in some physical activity works well to calm our minds and consequently lift our spirits. Accomplishing a simple task gives our bodies and our brains a boost. And, of course there is the elixir of the gods. As my Dad would say, “A little wine or a couple of beers never hurt anybody.” I wonder if that is what he meant by, “…there’s always Friday night.”

If you have IBS chances are you suffer from heartburn or acid reflux. IBS and acid reflux go hand in hand. You can overcome most gastrointestinal maladies naturally and holistically. Of course, you should always consult with your doctor before you try any specific procedures or medications.

IBS and acid reflux are curable. There is hope.

Learn more about IBS and acid reflux, heartburn and GERD.