What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine, or colon. IBS usually causes symptoms which include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and gas. It is a condition you will have to manage long term, but be assured it does not cause changes in normal bowel tissue, or increase any risk of colon cancer.
However, should there be additional symptoms such as rectal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or dramatic weight loss, a visit to the doctor for a professional diagnosis should be considered. This can identify, or rule out colon problems such as cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.
What causes IBS?
The exact causes are not known, but there certain factors which may play a role. Among these are stress, anxiety, and possible food allergies. Many people seem to have more severe symptoms when they eat foods like chocolate, spices, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, and other gas-promoting products.
Although none of these are actually recognised causes of IBS, there are common triggers among them which may induce painful, colon spasms.
What treatments are available for IBS?
Your doctor may be able to provide you with traditional medications to help relieve the symptoms. There are also natural ways like managing your diet and lifestyle, as well as reducing stress.
Research done at the Mayo Clinic has indicated that 1 in 5 of American adults suffer from IBS. Many who do not respond well to traditional treatment, reported that a measure of relief was obtained from lifestyle and diet changes, as well as the ability to manage stress.
Fortunately there are alternative methods, such as hypnosis, that can be effectively used to help ease the symptoms, and treat irritable bowel syndrome.
How hypnotherapy can treat IBS.
Numerous clinical studies have been conducted to assess the benefits of hypnotherapy to treat patients battling with IBS. Hypnosis for IBS involves relaxation techniques for the patient, until a state of complete relaxation is attained. You are not asleep and the therapist has no power over you or your mind.
You are simply open to positive suggestions focussed on your specific symptoms, and you are always aware of what is happening. Improvements have been noted in overall well-being, quality of life, abdominal pain and other symptoms of IBS. Hypnotherapy for IBS also helps to relieve stress and anxiety, a major trigger of IBS attacks.
The studies have also shown that hypnotherapy improves mood, and enables IBS sufferers to lead full, active lives. There are many, many success stories from satisfied patients.
How long do the effects of hypnotherapy last once the course is complete?
It is still important that lifestyle and dietary factors are taken into account. Some folk may also feel the need for the occasional over-the-counter meds such as a laxative or an anti-spasmodic pill.
However, research on long-term follow up of patients who have benefited from hypnotherapy, showed that many are still well after a period of up to 5 years and more, often requiring no medication at all.
The consensus among researchers is that hypnosis for IBS helps to improve the root cause of IBS, as well as help to ease other symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and painful colon spasms.
Hypnotherapy also offers a great psychological benefit by reducing stress and anxiety, which may be of tremendous help in other areas of your life.
References:
www.webmd.com/ibs/news/20031021/hypnosis-may-be-useful-ibs-treatment#1
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/basics/causes/con-20024578