30 Lifechanging Hacks That’ll Help You Deal With Your Stomach Problems

Keep a diary

Image Source/ Tiny Ray of SunshineIt's never too early to start keeping a food diary, and this may help you when the time comes to visit your doctor. Also, it gives you a better understanding of your body, your flare-ups, and how severe the flare-ups are in relation to the foods you're consuming.

Why not an app?

Image Source/ Damn Ripped!If the pen and paper version of keeping a food diary is no good for you, then not to worry, there are loads of apps out there that can help you keep an accurate food diary of all the foods you're consuming on a daily basis. Like above, this may prove very useful to you.

Visit a gastroenterologist

Image Source/ BetterteamIt's incredibly easy to self-diagnose, but the best route of action would be to visit a professional, like a gastroenterologist. These can look at your condition, give you an accurate diagnosis and suggest dietary/lifestyle changes that may help your IBS.

Be open and honest...

Image Source/ Top DoctorsAlthough a lot of people can get embarrassed by their IBS symptoms, it's always better to be open and honest with your doctor. Of course it's uncomfortable to talk about diarrhoea, bloating and gas, but you need an accurate remedy to help battle the IBS.

...with your friends and family too!

Image Source/ Which MagazineYou should talk to your family and friends about the condition. I mean, it's easy to be embarrassed but if they know they'll understand if you have to really run to the bathroom. If you don't, you might just be so stressed about having an episode that you won't enjoy your time.

A second opinion?

Image Source/ The Focal Therapy ClinicIf you find that your doctor has prescribed you some treatment that isn't working, then don't feel afraid to go and get a second opinion from another doctor. There have been cases where people are diagnosed with IBS, but end up having another underlying condition.

Try to avoid certain foods

Image Source/ The IBS & Gut Health ClinicIt's true that there are certain foods that can make you feel a lot worse than others, so you should be conscious of eating these. Cutting out unnecessary sugar, processed foods and alcohol might have a massive impact on your IBS symptom, even though it's easier said than done.

Don't change your diet too early, though

Image Source/ HealthShotsIt can be easy to think that you have IBS before consulting a doctor, and you'll want to make changes to your diet pretty much straight away. However, it might be easier for your doctor to diagnose you when your body is at its normal, so that they can properly help you.

Hold onto your safe snacks

Image Source/ TwitterSometimes, depending on the type of IBS that you can have, letting your stomach go empty in fear of eating foods can increase the likelihood of your colon spasming. So, instead, keep some foods that you know are safe in your purse so that if you're ever hungry you can munch on those!

Don't forget your meds too!

Image Source/ ADDitudeYou should try not to forget to take your medication each day as these can really help ease the symptoms of IBS. This means you should try and make sure that you're taking your medication everywhere with you as to try to avoid a flare-up of your IBS.

Make sure your schedule is consistent

Image Source/ HealthlineMake sure that you are adhering to a consistent schedule within your life. This meals for meals, medications, foods, sleep and toilet routines. Sometimes, straying away from these schedules can cause your stomach even more upset, and you don't want that to happen.

Understand your mental health to see if it is linked

Image Source/ EtsyOur mental health can have a massive impact on how our bodies are coping, and this means affecting our IBS. It might be helpful to keep a track of your mood to see if the two are linked, because then you might be able to plan for episodes if you're feeling particularly down or anxious.

Know your trigger foods

Image Source/ MSNAvoid trigger foods. Now, that's easier said than done isn't it, and it comes as a pretty obvious statement. But sometimes, we all want to treat ourselves to something we like, and that's totally okay. So if you're wanting a little treat, just be sure to have a proper backup plan!

Be in the right place when you have a blip

Image Source/ PrimaAlways plan for the worst. So that means if you're heading to a restaurant, you might want to consider having a lighter meal, eyeing up the toilets, or taking some of your food home with you so as not to waste it. There's nothing worse than feeling anxious at a meal!

Wear lose-fitting pants

Image Source/ LifesavvyWith IBS comes bloating and cramping as a lot of people know. It might be best to try and stay away from tight-restricting pants, or pants that need a belt, because these may only make you feel worse. Instead opt for something a little more loose that you can fling off if needs be.

Look to see where your closest toilet is

Image Source/ Roam the GnomeWhenever you're going somewhere new it won't hurt to map out where the nearest available toilets are. While I'm sure you'll be sensible in eating the foods you know you can eat, you never know when a flare up might come on and you need to head to the closest loo!

Carry around flushable wet wipes

Image Source/ BBCThere are things that you can carry around in your purse that might just make your IBS flare-ups a little more bearable. One of these is wet wipes. Some people think that flushable toilet wipes make them feel better when they are headed to the toilet and are easy to carry around with them.

Or why not rapid relief ointment?

Image Source/ BW - PakistanAnother item of choice that people carry around with them is rapid ointment cream. Some have said that when they have a flare-up, they can barely sit down, but the cream helps ease the pain. While some might not work for you, you might want to trial and error a few types.

If you feel conscious, why not carry a scented spray?

Image Source/ ChickAdvisorIf you feel that you're too stressed about causing bad smells in a public or friend's toilet, then consider buying a scented bathroom spray. There's specific sprays that can be sprayed before you do your business, like Poo-Pourri or VI-Poo, and these might just give you peace of mind.

Plan ahead for long-haul trip

Image Source/ National Accident HelplineIf you're going away on a long road trip, it might be worthwhile coming up with an action plan in the case of flare-ups, and also planning what you'll eat during the time away. You can never be too prepared when it comes to trips like these as risking it all can make you feel anxious.

Perfect the game plan

Image Source/ Nutra IngredientsIt's never not useful to have a game plan. No matter where you're going, if you're preparing for an episode you'll feel forever better about being there. It can debilitate our minds and cause is unnecessary anxiety. But really, if we're prepared, who the hell cares?

Warm that baby up

Image Source/ Verywell HealthWe all know that heat can ease muscle pains, and that's no different for your stomach pains. If you have heat patches or a hot water bottle, then you may want to give this one a try. Next time you are experiencing some pretty bad symptoms, take a hot water bottle to your abdomen to see if it works.

Have a relax after a heavy meal

Image Source/ FoodbeastSome IBS sufferers say that having a quick nap after a heavy meal helps your body to digest the food. It can also help with the mind, knowing that if your body was to take a turn you can easily make it to the bathroom. After 30 minutes, all should be fine.

Focus on that exercise

Image Source/ Everyday HealthAerobic exercise is said to help ease a lot of the symptoms for some people with IBS. One sufferer has even said that when they took up doing regular, aerobic exercise they found that it was even more helpful than taking medication, so decided to come off the tablets.

Some may consider adding fibre

Image Source/ HealthlineWhile this isn't the case for everyone, you should always consult with your doctor whether fibre would be good for your IBS diet or not. However, in some cases, fibre can help ease the symptoms of IBS, by modifying your diet it can help you reduce your stress.

Try peppermint oil

Image Source/ Sencha Tea BarIf you suffer with IBS-D, which is IBS in addition to diarrhoea, cramps and pain, then some sufferers have suggesting peppermint oil. The best way to get peppermint into your system is by having a nice, hot peppermint tea which may help ease your symptoms and system.

Face the truth

Image Source/ Cleveland CLinicListen, we can do as much as we can to avoid having a flare-up or episode of our stomach problems, but they can just be unavoidable. So, you have to come to the fact that you might be having an episode in a public toilet, and that is absolutely okay. Nothing to be embarrassed about.

Talk to those who face the same

Image Source/ NNCIHListen, there are so many people out there who suffer with stomach problems and IBS, you are not alone. So why not even try to reach out to some of these sufferers who can share tips, raise awareness and speak about their own incidents that can leave you feeling better.

Don't feel ashamed of your condition

Image Source/ Buffalo Healthy Living MagazineListen, you should not feel bad or ashamed about the condition as many people suffer from IBS or sensitive stomachs and bowels. It's just a way of life. Hopefully, after reading this list of tips, you're feeling slightly better about being a sufferer of IBS.

And if all else fails, carry that extra pair of underwear!

Image Source/ GlowWhen all is said and done, you can try to manage to manage your IBS the best way you can. But sometimes, it just doesn't work that way, and you may just end up having a flare-up at the worst of times. So, the main piece of advice is to keep that spare pair of panties in your purse with you.