Writing assignment Science Dear Mrs Mowberry, I have received a letter from your GP, in which he explains what your complaints are. Your GP has diagnosed that you have the Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I’m very sorry to hear that, but I am going to give everything I have to help you. The symptoms of this disease are constipation and bloating of the abdomen, I have heard that you have both symptoms. There are different causes for this problem, one of those is stress. I have heard that your husband died a few years ago, that brings a lot of stress with it, so that could play a role in the Syndrome. The other cause of this can be food. I don’t know what your eating pattern is, but we can look into that. Different types of food that aren’t good to eat when you have IBS are: - Bread and Cereals created with refined (not whole) grains, Processed foods like chips and cookies, Coffee, carbonated drinks and alcohol, Dairy products, especially cheese and raw milk. Try to eat less of the products above and look if the complaints become less. If they become less, you continue with this. If they don’t become less, please stop eating the things above for a small period of time and if they become less then you continue to eat none of these products. Some foods can help against IBS these are: - Fibre products such as whole-grain bread, beans, fruits, nuts and vegetables. Foods that are higher in their sugars, like dried plums and prune juice. Drink plenty of water (without gas) every day. Take in vitamin supplements especially: Vitamin D and Zinc Try to eat more of the above mentioned products and if those work continue with that. I have heard that you can grow your own vegetables in your garden. I’m totally in favour of growing your own food, which can be much healthier. You can try to order your groceries and have them delivered at your home. So you can eat varied. Also, drink plenty of plain water every day like two litres. What you also can try is to take in vitamin supplements as mentioned above, those also help with your abdomen. What also could help is relaxing, either by getting more exercise and by reducing stress in your life. That sounds difficult to reduce stress, but try to find something that relaxes you for example walking, embroidery, reading, working in the garden or meet with your friends. You also can join an IBS group on Facebook, in that group, there are different people that also have IBS, so you may ask them for advice. Of course, you don’t have to do everything of this but try to find what works for you. In case that all of this will not work, there is a plan B. Some medicines will slow down the process of IBS. Unfortunately, IBS will never fully go away, it always stays with you. There are different types of medicines. Please discuss a medicine called Lubiprostone with your GP, it’ll increase fluid secretion in your small intestine to assist with the passage of stool. It’s approved for a woman who has IBS with constipation. You must remember that you first have to try to treat your IBS without medicines. I also prefer to solve your problem without medicines, but if it’s necessary then it’s necessary. I hope I have helped with this advice to improve your situation. In case you have any questions you can always call me or send an e-mail. Best wishes, Max de Haas van Dorsser Lifestyle coach Telephone: +31-638448382 E-mail: 152157@rijnlandslyceum-rls.nl Bibliography: - www.webmd.com www.mayoclinic.org www.express.co.uk www.wikipedia.org My mother and father. My sister.
