Treatments and Drugs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
September 8, 2009 by Admin
Filed under IBS Prevention
Contrary to what some people believe, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a chronic condition, which affects millions of people around the world. However, even though there is no known cure, the condition is often controlled with the use of different drugs, therapies, and natural remedies, in order to reduce the severity of the symptoms. In fact, two drugs in particular have recently been designed specifically for treating IBS, both of which are now available to those suffering from this debilitating condition. There are also other natural approaches one can take in order to manage the condition, which I would recommend, such as what IBS Eliminated dicusses.
IBS Specific Drugs
Those who are diagnosed to be suffering from severe diarrheic IBS are often prescribed Alosetron (Lotronex) by their doctors, providing their doctor has enrolled in a special program, which follows strict protocols. This drug works by blocking certain nerve impulses, which in turn are responsible for spasms and diarrhea.
Those patients who suffer predominantly from constipation will be prescribed Lubiprostone (Amitiza), a drug that increases the amount of fluids in the small intestine in order to encourage bowel movement. However, many patients on this drug complain about side effects including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea.
If you are taking either of these, I highly recommend following the IBS Eliminated system to see if you can get off these drugs.
Other IBS Medications
Interestingly enough, they are several drugs on the market nowadays which are able to offer sufferers a certain amount of relief, even though they were not originally designed for treating IBS, such as:
Anticholinergics – relaxes the bowel and prevents spasms
Antidepressants – reduces pain and improves mood
Anti-diarrheals – used for treating diarrhea
Laxatives – uses for treating constipation
Of course, if your condition is being made worse due to an infection, then it’s very likely that your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. In this case, it is crucial that you do not stop taking your medication unless advised to do so by your doctor. Furthermore, before you decide to take any over-the-counter medications, you should always discuss it with your doctor first, particularly if you’re already taking description drugs.
Natural Remedies and Treatments
As many people can attest to, there are several natural approaches for treating IBS, and which are known to be moderately successful. In fact, many people have found at least some relief simply by eliminating certain foods from their diet. As such, it is always advisable for IBS sufferers to keep a food journal in order to determine which foods tend to irritate the condition, causing the symptoms to be more severe. Sufferers should pay particular attention to spicy foods, greasy foods, caffeine, and also dairy products, as these are all known to trigger the condition. Artificial sweeteners are another culprit although many people tend to overlook them completely, believing that something so insignificant could surely not trigger the condition.
In addition, sufferers should make a point of drinking at least 64oz. of water each day. If you suffer frequent diarrhea, drinking water will help to ensure you don’t become dehydrated. On the other hand, if you suffer from frequent constipation, drinking plenty of water will help to soften stools.
Over and above making changes to your diet, it’s crucial that you get enough regular physical exercise as this helps to promote the production of endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are essentially a chemical in the brain that helps to regulate moods and this of course is beneficial in terms of reducing stress levels.
Lastly but not least, depending on the severity of your condition, you may want to consider counseling in order to help you bring your stress levels under control. While stress in itself does not cause IBS, high stress levels certainly do make the condition worse.
Get the Facts on Irritable Bowel Syndrome
June 18, 2009 by Admin
Filed under IBS - Free Content
IBS, a disorder which is most commonly diagnosed by gastroenterologists, affects people of all ages and ethnicities. However, women are twice as likely as their male counterparts to experience the condition, although researchers are still unsure as to why. IBS in women is often associated with their menstrual cycle, although it can occur at any time.
“Irritable bowel” refers to disturbances or changes in regular bowel function, and the word “syndrome” indicates that there are a number of signs rather than one exclusive symptom that characterizes the condition. While everyone may have an occasional disturbance of the bowel and its functioning from time to time, people afflicted with IBS experience more severe symptoms that are frequent and occur on a regular basis.
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can vary in intensity and location, although the lower abdomen is where the most “activity” occurs. IBS is characterized by a series of symptoms such as abdominal pain or discomfort, gas-like cramping, reoccurring or chronic diarrhea and changes in the frequency or consistency of bowel patterns. Nausea, bloating, gas, and constipation alternating with diarrhea are also commonly reported symptoms of IBS.
25-50% of IBS patients also report that they experience regular heartburn along with an uncomfortable feeling of fullness. Many people suffering with IBS also report a number of signs that are non-gastrointestinal in nature such as muscle pain, sexual dysfunction, fatigue and sleep disturbances. Lower backaches and headaches are also commonly reported symptoms from those with severe cases of IBS.
The symptoms of IBS are likely to mimic those of many other disorders, which is why a proper diagnosis by a physician is essential. Clinical tests that depend on factors such as your age, overall health, your family history, as well as your reoccurring symptoms can be conducted to rule out other conditions. Symptoms such as blood in the stool, weight loss, fever, and continual pain are NOT signs of IBS and should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.
The signs or symptoms of IBS occur due to a disturbance in function between the brain and the gastrointestinal system, which is why IBS is classified as a “functional” disorder. People suffering from the condition appear to have no physical signs of disease such as structural abnormalities that can be detected by medical tests.
Experts believe that there is a disorder or some form of miscommunication between the interactions of the brain and the intestinal system, which ultimately affects movement and the sensitivity of nerves in the intestines in people with IBS. The brain and the autonomic nervous system are responsible for regulating the bowel and its functioning which is one of the ways we know that IBS is not a psychological or psychiatric disorder.
While there is no cure for IBS, there are a number of effective ways of controlling or even eliminating the symptoms of the condition such as diet, stress management, herbal and organic supplements, hypnosis and drug therapy including laxatives, anti-diarrheals, anti-spasmodic drugs and anti-depressants. With proper diagnosis and treatment it is possible to lead a normal, productive life even with IBS.
By: Sarah Munn
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For more information on irritable bowel syndrome visit Conquer IBS — a popular website that provides tips, advice and resources on alleviating IBS symptoms through proper dieting.
