Irritable bowel syndrome can seriously disrupt your life.
This app might be able to help.
Ive struggled with IBS for most of my life.
Photo:Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images
From bloating and gas to diarrhea and constipation, Ive had it all.
My belly would sometimes bloat so much that I looked like I was six months pregnant.
Theyre fibers that ferment in the gut and act as prebiotics for your beneficial gut bacteria.
The foods theyre in are healthyfruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and dairy.
Around this same time, I was seeing a new gastroenterologist who also counseled me about FODMAPs.
He referred me to a registered dietitian who helped me pinpoint other foods that were giving me trouble.
I also found that going for a walk or working out helped with the bloating.
Sparkling water helps too, since it allows me to burp up gas that Id otherwise feel bloated with.
(Having raised four sons, I can burp with the best of themtrust me.)
Ive found some remedies for constipation, too, after consulting with my doctor.
Even as things improved, I wasnt jumping for joy at the results.
There were still lots of foods I couldnt eat without experiencing symptoms, and I missed them.
The Gut-Brain Connection
Still, I knew that food wasnt my only trigger.
Stress ranked right up there, too.
That means psychologicalstress can affect your gut health, and gut health can also influence mental health.
The vagus nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which brings calm and slows your heart rate.
All of these states involve hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, which revs things up.
And while I thought I was good at relaxing, my vagus nerve was saying otherwise.
I had seen ads for the Nerva app for IBS on social media.
I even looked into it.
Eventually, though, I had to swallow my pride and tell my ego to step aside.
I needed to see if it worked.
I was impressed with the app right away.
They even connect it to your health care team, integrating it as a part of your treatment plan.
Each session uses gut-directed hypnotherapy and lasts about 15 minutes.
The Nerva app didnt change that for me, but I still got something out of the guided sessions.
For hypnosis or meditation to be effective, you must be in a quiet space without distractions or interruptions.
Mute your phone notifications and put a sign on your door if need be.
If youre new to total relaxation techniques, though, I do recommend lying down when possible.
Your body and brain will be able to more fully relax.
Once youve completed six weeks of the basic program, you get ongoing support, too.
Ive started eating some of my forbidden foods again and am not having as many issues with them.
Of course, I still get gas and bloating, but its definitely better.
And I think as I continue to use the app, it will continue to improve.
The Bottom Line
So, do I recommend the Nerva app?
Yes, as long as youre committed to actually using it.
To get a taste of it, you might always try the weeklong free trial.
After all, the price youre paying for IBS and its disruptions is probably pretty steep.
Learning to calm your nervous system can have many benefits beyond reducing IBS symptoms, too.
But with consistent practice, you might just find that youre a quicker study than you realize.
