George Ackerson: Lifestyle and Home Remedies for IBS Provided by George Ackerson

FORT BENTON, MT, October 15, 2010

George Ackerson starts off by explaining that, in many cases, simple changes in your diet and lifestyle can provide relief from irritable bowel syndrome. Although your body may not respond immediately to these changes, your goal is to find long-term, not temporary, solutions:

Experiment with fiber. When you have irritable bowel syndrome, George Ackerson points out that fiber can be a mixed blessing. Although it is meant to help reduce constipation, it can also make gas and cramping worse. The best approach is to gradually increase the amount of fiber in your diet over a period of weeks. Examples of foods that contain fiber are whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans. George Ackerson goes on to explain that if your signs and symptoms remain the same or worse, tell your doctor. Also, you may want to talk to a dietitian.

Some people do better limiting dietary fiber and instead take a fiber supplement that causes less gas and bloating. George Ackerson If you take a fiber supplement, such as Metamucil or Citrucel, be sure to introduce it gradually and drink plenty of water every day to minimize gas, bloating and constipation. If you find that taking fiber helps your IBS, use it on a regular basis for best results.
Avoid problem foods. If certain foods make your signs and symptoms worse, don't eat them. George Ackerson recognizes that common culprits include alcohol, chocolate, caffeinated beverages such as coffee and sodas, medications that contain caffeine, dairy products, and sugar-free sweeteners such as sorbitol or mannitol. If gas is a problem for you, foods that actually might make symptoms worse include beans, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. Fatty foods may also be a problem for some people. Chewing gum or drinking through a straw can lead to swallowing air, causing more gas.

Eat at regular times. George Ackerson wants you to keep in mind that you shouldn't skip meals, but try to eat about the same time each day to help regulate bowel function. If you have diarrhea, you may find that eating small, frequent meals makes you feel better. But if you're constipated, eating larger amounts of high-fiber foods may help move food through your intestines.

Take care with dairy products. If you're lactose intolerant, George Ackerson suggests you try substituting yogurt for milk. Or use an enzyme product to help break down lactose. Consuming small amounts of milk products or combining them with other foods also may help. In some cases, though, you may need to eliminate dairy foods completely. If so, be sure to get enough protein, calcium and B vitamins from other sources.

Drink plenty of liquids. George Ackerson recommends that you try to drink plenty of fluids every day. Water is best. Alcohol and beverages that contain caffeine stimulate your intestines and can make diarrhea worse, and carbonated drinks can produce gas.

Exercise regularly. Exercise helps relieve depression and stress, stimulates normal contractions of your intestines and can help you feel better about yourself. If you've been inactive, George Ackerson goes on to recommend you start slowly and gradually increase the amount of time you exercise. If you have other medical problems, check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.

George S. Ackerson formulates and distributes medical products. George S. Ackerson has a business, Safer Medical Inc., and is dedicated to providing Quality of Life (QOL) product technologies that have, where feasible, undergone peer-reviewed clinical studies. George S. Ackerson has been involved with Prescript-Assist. Safer Medical Inc. (SMI) provided both FloraStat and Prescript-Assist formulations at no/ minimal cost, to all patients involved in our clinical exploration of efficacy. George S. Ackerson is pleased to have been a participant in both the initial and more recent clinical trial, and do admit considerable satisfaction when his participating patients thank him. George S. Ackerson has done clinical research to evaluate the efficacy of Prescript-AssistTM (P-A), an advanced probiotic - prebiotic formulation for treatment of human bacterial-diarrhea in two communities in Ecuador. For further information, please contact George S. Ackerson at (406)622-5727.