What are the remedies for IBS

* My daughter suffers from irritable bowel syndrome, which was diagnosed last September. What are your top remedies for this? She is 28 years old.

>>It’s good to hear she has taken the proactive step of getting a definitive diagnosis at this stage since so many individuals go undiagnosed until they are well into their 60s.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) typically presents with stomach cramps, bloating, and digestive pain along with constipation and diarrhoea — which is why this condition can make life pretty miserable.

There are a couple of kitchen remedies that can help with IBS, and often dietary changes will help to ease the discomfort and reduce or eliminate the symptoms.

Turmeric is often used in the ancient Indian healing system of Ayurveda to treat a number of digestive disorders, since it helps to stimulate bile flow, encourage the production of digestive juices, and support the growth of beneficial gut flora. Not only is it useful in treating IBS, it can also help with indigestion, intestinal inflammation, appetite loss, arthritis, allergies, and liver issues.

Instead of forking out for expensive turmeric supplements, your daughter can get the benefits of this spice simply by adding it to her diet on a daily basis. Turmeric is already well known as a curry ingredient, but she can also add it to a number of sweet and savoury dishes and drinks.

My favourite turmeric brew nourishes the digestive system, and is also beneficial for brain health, heart health, circulation, skin health, and respiratory function. Warm a cup of almond milk over a low heat, and stir in ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ginger, and a teaspoon of honey — you could also add a pinch of cayenne to spice things up. You daughter will need to take this three times daily to help with her IBS.

Aloe vera juice is worth its weight in gold for any intestinal disorders as it soothes and heals the mucous membranes in the gut. Psyllium husks are also worth adding to the diet — take 1-2 teaspoons stirred into a glass of freshly pressed juice (or plain water) each morning, and again before bed.

As far as dietary tweaks go, the usual steps for any digestive condition is to eliminate common inflammatory triggers such as wheat and dairy. This does bring relief to many IBS sufferers, so is worth a try.

What works for one person may not work for another, so your daughter needs to make sure she eliminates one food or allergen at a time and give it a good couple of weeks before making any further changes.

* I suffer terribly from sinus congestion and ear infections all year round. I have tried every remedy under the sun, and have had scans to check if there is a physiological cause to these problems. I feel drained all the time. Please help.

>> No wonder you are feeling drained — chronic sinus conditions, along with ear infections are really taxing. With any sinus or ear problems, my first suggestion is usually to cut dairy out of the diet completely.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) will help with extreme fatigue as well as working on the underlying issues related to the sinus and ear passages.

Acupuncture in particular has been used with great success, although a TCM practitioner will likely use a combination of treatments including herbs and nutrition as well.

Do you have a question for Megan Sheppard? Email it to [e-mail]][e-mail] or send a letter to: Feelgood, Irish Examiner, Linn Dubh, Assumption Road, Blackpool, Cork.