Problem: Article: Your dad's death may have left you with lots of confusion or unanswered questions. Though your mom or other relatives might be trying to protect you, it's understandable that you want to know the truth. Talk to your family and tell them what you'd like to know. You might say, "Hey Aunt Judy, I know everyone is saying that Dad got in a car wreck, but no one is saying how. I have a lot of questions. Can you answer them for me?" The more you know about the situation, the easier it will be for you to properly grieve. Don't be afraid to ask questions that you want or need to know the answer to. During this difficult time, try to spend some time each day just being sad. Crying can help you grieve by getting your emotions out. Don't be embarrassed to show how you're feeling, even if you have to cry in front of others. They'll understand. Sometimes, you might also feel numb or completely in shock, and that's okay, too. If you can't cry, don't force yourself. Just take some time to be alone with your thoughts. Take some time to reflect on all the memories you have of your father. Pull out some photo albums and remember him as he was. This will probably make you feel sad, and that's normal. You'll also feel moments of happiness as you reflect on good times. Reflect especially on the times you spent alone with your dad. Remember that those memories are special because they are only between the two of you. If you have painful or difficult memories of your dad, try not to feel guilty. It is normal for some people to feel angry during grief. Though it's nice to talk to adults during this time, sometimes conversations with others can be more helpful. If your dad had other kids, talk to them, especially if you're around the same age. They'll be able to understand your pain better than anyone because he was their dad, too. Writing can help you release all of the pent-up feelings you may have. At the end of each day or when you're having a really tough moment, jot down your feelings on paper. Sometimes, getting your thoughts out can be just the release you need to feel better. For instance, you might write, "I just had a breakdown because I was shopping and saw some fishing gear and Dad always loved fishing. I wish I could fish with him again." Maybe you don't really feel like talking about your dad right now, or maybe you feel more angry than sad. You can find other ways to get your emotions out. You might choose to draw, paint, listen to music, or reorganize your room. Just do what feels right to you. Try drawing or coloring memories that you have with your father. You might choose to create images that would have been meaningful to your father. For example, if your father loved to fish, you might draw a lake. There are probably a few really important things of your dad's that you'd like to have. Having some of these things can help you feel close to him and can keep his memory alive. For instance, you might want to keep your dad's high school ring, one of his ties, or a book he used to read to you. If you're still in grade school, you might find that it will be hard to focus while you're coping with the loss. Ask your mom or guardian if you can stay out of school for a week or so. Though you'll still be dealing with your dad's death then, some of the shock will have worn off. You can say, "Hey Mom, I know that school starts back on Monday, but I just don't feel ready. I'm still really sad and I'm afraid I'll cry in class. Can I have a few days off?" If you have to go back to school, try to take it day by day. Tell your teachers what happened and take notes so you can stay focused. After your dad's death, his birthday, Father's Day, or other major holidays may be really tough for you. Instead of dreading these days, do something for your dad instead. Plan a family dinner where you all can share stories about how funny he was. You can also do something that he always enjoyed doing, like playing baseball or volunteering. Try not to be alone on these days since they can be really tough. It might be hard to face important holidays, but try to do it. Actively remembering your father on these days will help the healing process go faster, not slower. Sometimes, when people close to you die, you might blame yourself. You might be thinking, "If I were better to my dad, maybe he'd still be here." Remember that there is nothing you could have done to prevent this and it's not your fault! It's normal to wish your dad were still here, but don't beat yourself up about things you didn't do or can't change. If you had a fight with your father in his last days, remember that your father would have forgiven you. Try not to blame yourself.
Summary: Seek answers from adults. Cry it out if you need to. Spend time reminiscing. Talk to your siblings if you have any. Write down your thoughts. Express your feelings in creative ways. Pick a few items of his to keep. Ask for some time off from school if you need it. Find ways to honor your dad on important days. Remember that it's not your fault.

Problem: Article: Ensure that your food is chewed thoroughly, which helps to ease digestion and may help relieve IBS-related symptoms. You can also prevent yourself from overeating, which could make symptoms of IBS feel worse. It may help to monitor how you feel after you eat. This should be done approximately 1 hour after eating. This way, you can track the foods that worsen your IBS symptoms and those that alleviate your condition. Note any effects of food in your body including: gaseous discomfort, abdominal pains, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Small, more frequent meals as opposed to fewer, larger meals can help to reduce diarrhea and cramping pain. With smaller meals, the abdomen is emptied more frequently, which relieves symptoms caused by IBS. Ask your doctor if probiotics may be a good option for you. Probiotics ensure there is enough "good bacteria" in the stomach and intestines to help break down food. You can find tablets, capsules, as well as yogurt drinks at your local health food store or pharmacy. Note that foods can make IBS worse by causing severe gaseous pain and discomfort, and should be eaten in moderation. Use your own discretion before eating foods like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, and milk products. Other gas-inducing foods include beans, cauliflower, carbonated drinks, hard candy, lettuce, onions, and whole grains. Avoid foods that are extra spicy or greasy, as they may cause your symptoms to flare up. Additionally, avoid foods or drinks with artificial sweeteners like sorbitol, which may make your IBS symptoms worse. Some other common triggers include dairy products, carbonated drinks, apples, watermelon, pears, cole slaw, sauerkraut, soy beans, chickpeas, lentils, baked beans, pizza, and fried food. Switch out your normal bread and grain products for gluten-free alternatives. Even if you don't have celiac disease, you may find that your symptoms improve when you don't eat as much gluten on a daily or weekly basis. Note that gluten can be found in unexpected places, like soy sauce and salad dressing, so be sure to double-check your food labels. You may need to try this diet for several weeks before you see any results. Note that FODMAPs, or certain carbs and sugars, may be making your IBS symptoms worse. Opt for foods like bell peppers, kale, celery, and squash, which are all naturally low in FODMAPs. FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols.
Summary:
Eat slowly to help your digestion. Have small, frequent meals rather than fewer large ones. Try probiotics to support healthy gut bacteria. Limit foods that are known to cause gas. Reduce or eliminate common food triggers for IBS. Try a gluten-free diet to ease your symptoms. Experiment with a low FODMAP diet to find relief.