According to Wikipedia IBS – Irritable bowel syndrome — or also known as a Spastic Colon is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any detectable organic cause.

Irritable Bowel Syndrom, IBS, usually occur after an infection (post-infectious, IBS-PI), a stressful life event, or onset of maturity without any other medical indicators. Spastic colon is typically a functional disorder and not a disease, which implies that bowel movement, is not occurring in a manner it should have been.

In some cases diarrhea or constipation are the symptoms of this disorder which is relieved in bowel movements.

The other symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, painful bowel movement and stool full of mucus. In women, there is a close relation between menstruation and attack of spastic colon that in turn has led the medical practitioners establish a correlation between hormonal changes and irritable bowel syndrome.

The number of people suffering from Spastic Colon chronic health problem is far greater than the number of population suffering from diabetes, asthma or depression. Apparently IBS is quite common in the modern society and nearly half of the United States and Canada population suffer from the disorders caused by spastic colon.

Dealing with spastic colon is rather easy. Usually incorporating simple lifestyle changes can help with symptoms of this dysfunction.

To begin with, incorporating necessary changes into the diet and food habits can reward by a problem free bowel movement.

• First — It’s very important to understand which foods trigger the symptoms off and then religiously avoid them. In general fat free diet and baked or micro waved foods instead of those fried or roasted fat rich foods will do the job. For those who want to eat dairy, milk products, only eating of skimmed or semi skimmed milk or milk products are advised.

More importantly, to treat spastic colon, foods rich in fiber and fresh vegetables and whole grain cereals should be included into recommended diet plan.

Additionally eating of 5-6 smaller meals a day is recommended. As yoghurt containing helpful bacteria that aids in the digestive process eating Yoghurt is a natural solution to those suffering from static colon.

• Second – It’s important to alleviate stress as a solution for dealing with static colon. Although, today under the circumstances of twenty first century living, stress management may sound rather an impossible task, however, for a problem free bowel habit, it’s important to learn to cope up with stress factors. Alternative practices as meditation, aerobics exercise with music, relaxing over the weekends completely cutting off from the work related anxieties and availing other relaxation therapies help to rid of the bowel symptoms.

Although people suffering from this syndrom are desperately  looking for effective natural cures and herbs to treat the condition, yet there is no real cure for IBS, the treatments mentioned above are more than effective to relieve symptoms.

1. Lemon balm and rosemary tea alleviate cramps and spasms.
2. Slippery elm bark tea makes the stomach produce a protective mucus.

Traditional Chinese Remedies

• Calm the Stomach Powder helps with abdominal pain.
• Four Gentlemen Decoction alleviates loose stool.
• Minor Construct the Middle Decoction treats spasmodic abdominal pain and loss of appetite.
• Pinellia Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium treats diarrhea, uncomfortable feelings of fullness and loss of appetite.

Sometimes Anti-fungal medication will cure the former while relaxation techniques will help get rid of the latter. There are also several herbal treatments that come in tincture and tablet form which are helpful.

Recommended Herbal Supplements

• Taking the daily suggested doses of zinc and any multivitamin containing folic acid and B12 is highly recommended as people with IBS are usually deficient in these nutrients.
• Pancreatin is a pancreatic extract that assists with digestion and reduces inflammation. Take as directed on the label.
• Between meals, take a acidophilous supplement that does not contain milk. This friendly bacteria competes with the bacteria that aggravates IBS.

Along with dietary adjustments, medication and psychological interventions patient education and a good doctor-patient relationship are also important.

When irritable bowel syndrome symptoms and signs are shown it’s always best to consult your health care provider. The doctor can address the problem with proper medication and advise the best possible treatment to get relief from irregular bowel syndrome.

Keep in mind; above all, sticking to a healthy lifestyle and healthy habits is the best guarantee for having a problem free colon and best overall health.