Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is an intestinal disorder, which can lead to a number of other medical conditions. It is one of the leading causes of irregularities in your bowel movements. From constipation to diarrhea to cramping and bloating of your stomach, there are many symptoms of IBS. Though there are several treatment plans and medications to take care of the symptoms, doctors nowadays suggest the use of probiotics for reducing the occurrences of IBS.

Probiotics are sometimes called “friendly” bacteria as they are beneficial for your immune system. They keep in check the growth of unfriendly bacteria in the gut and are known to be used for wide range of symptoms. Let us look at it in depth.

Intestines of human beings are filled with thousands of strains of bacteria. Medically, a healthy person should have a balance of the bacterial strains that are good and bad. If the areas favoring the bad bacteria are more, then they can lead to certain medical conditions.

If you are consuming probiotic supplements, IBS can be avoided to a certain extent. Also probiotic supplements are known to be beneficial in maintaining a favorable balance between the bacterial strains. They also normalize the frequency of bowel movements. Probiotics can eradicate small intestinal bacterial growth and strengthen the inner lining of the intestine.

Food items to avoid by IBS-affected individuals
– Food rich in soluble fiber including legumes, oatmeal, carrots, oranges, mangoes, etc.
– High-fat dairy products such as cow milk, cheese made from cow milk, etc.
– Fried food items such as fries, chips, etc.
– Processed food such as frozen ready-to-eat meals

Type of probiotics:
One of the challenges is to find out the exact type of probiotic to use for IBS. There are certain supplements that provide wholesome probiotics for easing IBS symptoms. Do consult with your doctor on your body type so that they may be able to prescribe the right supplement for you.

There are also certain foods that are probiotic. Generally, fermented foods such as yogurt and traditionally prepared sauerkraut, are known for their probiotic nature. Such fermented products are beneficial for promoting digestive health and the overall robustness of the digestive tracks.

IBS can be frustrating in the long run and sometimes the medications for the symptoms may not work. In such cases, you may want to try probiotics. Not only are they extremely good for your health, but they are also known for having no major side effects associated with them. Just ensure that you consult with your doctor before taking them. In rare cases, it may not fit well with people having a weak immune system. Also, if a certain strain of probiotic does not yield the desired result, then switch over to the next strain, after consulting a doctor.