ALWAYS DIAL 999 AND REQUEST QUALIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
IRRITATED BOWEL SYNDROME
IBS is a generalised term used for a variety of stomach and bowel related problems.
Having IBS can be very debilitating, it can cause a frequent need to use a toilet, this can be an immediate need and severly interfere with everyday life especially travelling. Many public toilets are being closed down due to the cost of running them, and not having a usable conveinience near to use can restrict outings often tending to cause isolation.
Finding a toilet in a strange town can be frustrating and painful if you are delayed. Downloading The 'Toilet Finder' application to your phone will enable you to quickly find the nearest public conveinience or outlet with facilities you can use.
Even when there are conveiniences to hand, sometimes they close at certain times, most however include either a separate cubicle to the rear for disabled use, these are usually also much cleaner, but to use this you need a 'Radar Key'. Purchasing one of these keys and keeping it with you (or in car) is a cheap but very wise investment.
The IBS Network also issue credit card size 'Cant Wait Cards', although it is not a law, showing this to many shop holders, businesses or government offices will get their permission to use their facilities even if these are not normally open to the public.
Ideas to help with that sudden need when out
When the need arises when you are out, this App will find the nearest toilet and direct you to it.
When the need arises when you are out, this App will find the nearest toilet and direct you to it.
The IBS Network have created a card to show when in shops, offices or buildings without public toilets which can help you gain access to staff toilets.
The card also comes in many languages to use when on holiday.
With a Radar Key, you can access public / disabled toilets even when they are closed.
THIS INTERACTIVE MAP SHOWS THE LOCATION AND OPENING TIMES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCES IN WALES
Most will advise that you avoid coffee and caffeine, but this can be limiting and of course not much fun if you enjoy coffee. I have suffered from IBS for many years and coffee is the only drink I like, I have tried many varieties both decaf and normal, instant and machine created, and I have found this:-
AVOID INSTANT COFFEE... AVOID VERY STRONG CAPSULE COFFEE !
Purchase a cheap filter machine and in addition to the provided Net filter use a disposable paper filter, this extra filtration removes the coffee grounds from the drink completely. It is the coffee grounds that the stomach finds hard to digest and dispose of, they line the stomach walls and cause irritation.
With Instant coffee the grounds appear to disolve in the cup but you are still consuming the actual ground product, with a filter machine you only consume the flavoured and coloured water with no ground coffee beans.
Acute or Chronic Alcohol Gastritis may be the cause. Find out more in this article by Alcohol Rehab Help.
