Best Gift Ideas for IBS Patients
Celebrating holidays with your loved ones is one of the best times of the year.
Catching up on what has been happening with them, reliving memories, and bonding over comfort foods make this time of year so special.
Along with all the excitement can also come stress.
Traveling, searching for just the right gift, and seeing your not-so-great relatives can all increase your stress levels.
While we can’t help you to avoid your least favorite aunt or cousin, we can help you with the gift giving.
Some friends and family members might be a little harder to buy for if they have health problems that make typical gifts an issue.
Here is our top gift guide for people suffering from IBS and other functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Atrantil
Atrantil was created specifically for reducing bloating and abdominal discomfort in addition to helping with diarrhea and constipation.
Atrantil is a product made by three all-natural polyphenols that are used in the gut as both a prebiotic and a postbiotic.
Prebiotics are molecules that aren’t easily absorbed by your body.
They need to bypass your small intestines and go to your colon to be fermented.
The byproducts nourish the microbiome and are then cleaved by your gut bacteria and created into postbiotics.
Postbiotics are used all throughout your body for many different reasons but some of the most favored are antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory.
To read more about exactly how Atrantil beats your bloating, check out our site!
Taking Atrantil will let your loved ones feel more comfortable, be less worried about bloating and running to the bathroom, and gives them a healthy dose of polyphenols.
You really can’t go wrong with giving this gift!
Spore-Based Probiotics
Spore-based organisms (SBO) or spore-based probiotics are a special breed of probiotics.
SBO probiotics are much better than normal probiotics since they have a protective shell.
The spore shell holds the probiotic species inside and allows them to lie dormant until they arrive at their destination.
Depending on the person, the probiotic will be released from the spore or continue residing there until it is needed by the body.
This is ideal because your body determines when you need the probiotic to be used and uses it accordingly.
Refillable Water Bottle/Infuser Water Bottle
Hydration is SO important to your health.
Our friends suffering from diarrhea and constipation are even more in need of frequent water breaks.
Diarrhea will cause dehydration.
Constipation is commonly a result of not drinking enough water.
Whichever form of IBS your loved one has, water is a key ingredient to managing symptoms and severity.
Getting a fun water bottle that has a cute saying or markings to remind you how much water you should have consumed by a certain time makes it easier to reach your daily water goals.
Infuser water bottles allow you to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your water for a boost of polyphenols, added flavor and nutrients.
So if your gift recipient doesn’t like water because it’s bland, this is an easy fix!
Studies have also found that even mild dehydration can put you at a higher risk for a myriad of diseases.
So while a water bottle may seem like a not-so-exciting gift, you’re gifting them a much healthier life.
CBD for Gastrointestinal Issues
Cannabidiol (CBD) has been trending lately for many diseases and disorders.
IBS is in the early stages of studying if there are benefits, but many patients are claiming to have success with using CBD for their stomach cramps and pains.
CBD was proven to help with decreasing intestinal permeability and inflammation through the activation of cannabinoid receptors.
In IBD, especially ulcerative colitis, CBD was able to help reduce inflammation and reduce the damage done to the intestinal wall.
**Make sure your gift recipient double checks with their doctor that CBD won’t interact negatively with any other medications being taken.**
Toilet Step Stool
Step stools are right up there with water bottles on the excitement meter, but this could change the entire world for your pal.
Studies have shown that when you are in a more squatted position while releasing your bowels, your experience will be much more pleasant.
Some positive effects you can expect to see while using one include:
- Less straining
- Feeling like you’ve completely emptied your bowels
- Shorter time spent on the toilet
This simple gift could make a world of difference for someone.
Reducing the time spent in the bathroom makes them less anxious and more relaxed. You’ll be giving them a heck of a lot more than just a stool.
Tea Samplers
Tea is a great way to relax and increase polyphenols.
Getting someone with IBS a tea sampler is a nice way to help them relax and certain tea types can even help with symptoms.
Catechins in tea help to promote the growth of beneficial bacterial species within your gut and can help to maintain tight junctions of your epithelium to decrease intestinal permeability (leaky gut).
Mint teas can help to reduce inflammation within the gut and calm an upset tummy.
However certain people should avoid mint teas if they suffer from kidney stones, Hiatal hernias, or gastrointestinal reflux.
Ginger has been proven to help with constipation, bloating, and providing your body with general gastroprotective effects.
Blooming or flowering teas are a beautiful and relaxing way to steep your tea.
Watching the flower come to life as you wait for the tea to be ready is extremely calming.
There are so many options when it comes to tea so make sure you’re getting a good quality brand that refrains from using pesticides on their crops.
Other Gift Ideas for IBS Patients
If these don’t sound like quite the right idea some other gift ideas that don’t need much science backing them include:
- Low-carb/Low-FODMAP cookbook
- Trendy, bloat-friendly clothing
- Sit-to-stand desk
- Heating pad
- Poo Pourri
- Gift cards (book stores, favorite restaurants, massages, yoga/meditation classes)
It’s not easy going through life with GI issues.
But having a supportive family or friend system makes it so much easier to deal with.
Showing you accept them with some of these gifts lets them know you care without you being too invasive with their condition.
What are some gifts you’d like to receive if you suffer from IBS?
Let us know in the comments below!
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