Overcoming Irritable Bowel Syndrome -

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - a.k.a. IBS, Mucous Colitis, Spastic Colon, Intestinal Neurosis.  Pretty common in younger women.  

Symptoms - Abdominal cramping, diarrhea and constipation (alternating), gas/bloating, nausea, vomiting. 

It was my sophomore year of college and I was truly enjoying the college life - that is, when my stomach was under control.  One day I'd be buckled over due to constipation, and the next day, well you probably already guessed it, I couldn't stop going.  What made this situation so difficult is that it would happen at the most inopportune times (if there was an opportune time).  For example, a trip to the amusement park could pretty much assure that I'd have a problem in the morning.  Too much excitement always led to my having a problem.  Stressful situations such as exam time would also send my stomach into a tizzy.  Oh yes, and travel would also almost ensure a bout or episode of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). 

As I stated, I first really recognized the problem in college, although looking back, I can remember it starting as early as junior high.  While on spring break of my sophomore year, I went to see my doctor.  He was a devout vegetarian and he immediately determined that red meat/ pork were the culprits and convinced me to stay away from them.  From that time on (and even now), I stopped eating red meat and pork and ate only poultry and fish.  For a while this seemed to help the problem and I thought that I'd found the solution.