If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, you're not alone-one in five American adults struggles with this condition. Keep watching for ten natural remedies that can help. Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common digestive disorder characterized by abdominal pain, cramping and changes in bowel function. Because IBS isn't easy to detect with standard tests, it can be tough to diagnose and treat. The good news is, even without an official diagnosis, a host of time-tested natural remedies can help to ease the symptoms and recurrence of IBS. Because IBS is a digestive disorder, what you eat and when you eat it can greatly affect your symptoms! Diarrhea and cramping can be exacerbated by food intolerances. If you suffer from IBS, you may want to consider eating five or six small meals each day instead of three big ones. This helps the digestive process flow smoothly, and can often ease symptoms.A. While treating your IBS, try keeping a food diary. B. Recording what you consume each day will help you find the trigger foods and beverages that cause IBS flare-ups. Common trigger foods include artificial fats and sweeteners, fried foods and oils, red meat and solid chocolate. Avoiding these foods may help. A. Caffeinated and carbonated drinks can also contribute to cramping. If you have IBS, B. drastically limit your intake of these drinks. So what can you eat? Most IBS sufferers find relieve from fiber-filled foods. That's because fiber may prevent colon spasms that lead to cramps and keeps stools soft and easy to pass. Enjoy brown rice, barley, figs, prunes, raisins and oatmeal. Fruits, vegetables and juices are also great sources of fiber. One of the most helpful foods you can eat is yogurt! This low-fat treat is rich in the probioitic, acidophilus. This "friendly bacteria" helps to aid in digestion. A. If yogurt isn't your favorite food, you can get all the benefits of the probiotic B. by taking a supplement from your local health food store or pharmacy. Peppermint oil is thought to reduce the abdominal pain and bloating characteristic of IBS. Because peppermint can cause heartburn, it is most effective when taken in enteric-coated capsules. Although doctors are still unsure about what causes IBS, it has been found that stress can amplify your symptoms. Yoga, deep breathing and meditation can all help to relax the mind, and in turn, the body. One particular yoga pose that can help ease digestive symptoms of IBS is called opanasa, or the Wind-Relieving Pose. Lie flat on your back. Inhale, bringing both knees into your chest; then, as you exhale, bring your legs back to the ground. Inhale again as you bring your left knee inward, stretching your chin to touch the knee. Repeat by alternating knees. IBS can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but there is help for this common condition! Making smart food choices, taking supplements and engaging in stress-relieving activities can all help ease the discomfort of irritable bowel syndrome