Peppermint Oil and Fiber Can Help Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The results of recent research into the effects of various medications on Irritable Bowel Syndrome in patients has just been published in the Nov. 14 online edition of the BMJ.

It was a meta-analysis and review of all randomized controlled studies comparing antispasmodics, fiber, and peppermint oil with placebo, or no treatment, in persons with IBS.

IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that causes discomfort or abdominal pain, and it is common for sufferers to experience chronic bouts of diarrhea or constipation, or both. The exact root of the problem is not known, but messed up interactions between brain and nervous systems with the gut are involved, producing spasms in the colon.

In recent years, new drugs have been developed for the condition, but these are expensive and in some cases, a couple of drugs have been removed from the market and some have been found ineffective. Because of this, investigating simpler, less-expensive treatments may prove to be valuable. In this study, a total of 591 patients in 12 studies were subjected to treatment with fiber, twenty two studies (1778 patients) compared antispasmodics with placebo, and 392 patients (four trials) had been investigated for the effects of peppermint oil versus placebo. Read more

Anxiety and Depression Thanks To IBS

We’ve talked about how high stress levels and anxiety cause IBS but what about the anxiety, high stress level and depression that IBS causes?

It’s really no great mystery why the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome could cause things like a high stress level, depression and anxiety. Think about it, you’re leaving the house to go somewhere that you committed yourself to go to. Then it strikes. Abdominal cramping, feeling bloated, and the dreaded diarrhea. Do you call and cancel AGAIN? Read more

IBS Self Help Support Group and Revolution Health Fair

The IBS Self Help and Support Group has joined the Revolution Health Fair, an online event launched in partnership with 10 national nonprofit organizations who each host a virtual “booth.” Read more

Zelnorm By Novartis: Risks Outweigh Benefits

Advances in Irritable Bowel Syndrome treatment has brought us many pharmaceutical products such as Zelnorm by Novartis. As we are finding now, sometimes the treatment of IBS has risks that outweigh the benefits. Read more

Most Severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Emotional Distress

If you have IBS then you know that the Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms themselves cause emotional distress. This emotional distress then acts as a catalyst for other IBS symptoms to worsen. It is all a vicious circle. Read more

Can Drinking Tequila Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Well… not really. But the blue agava plant that makes tequila can help. Researchers in Mexico are finding that the same fruit used to make tequila could be helpful in delivering medicine to the colon making better treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome possible.

Alot of the drugs used to right now to treat IBS are destroyed by stomach acid and don’t make it to the colon. Tequila compounds, a class of polysaccharides known as fructans, aren’t as affected by the stomach’s acid. Read more

Does High Stress Levels and Anxiety Cause IBS?

Studies are coming out showing people with higher anxiety or stress levels are more likely to be sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome also known as IBS.

How did this discovery come about? There was a study done of 620 patients suffering from Gastroenteritis triggered by a bacterial infection. When these patients participated in the study they were asked to complete a very detailed questionnaire. This consisted of questions regarding their mood, perfectionism, illness beliefs, behaviors and their perceived stress levels.

These patients were rechecked for signs of IBS at 3 and 6 month follow ups. Those who showed the signs at both of those follow ups had showed significantly higher levels of stress, anxiety and psychosomatic symptoms on their questionnaire. Read more

Rifimax to Treat IBS

What is Rifimax? It is an antibiotic that is now being tested to treat IBS. This antibiotic is not absorbed into the bloodstream, it stays in the intestine killing bacteria before passing through the digestive tract.

About 40 percent of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients that used Rifimax in this test saw a major improvement in symptoms. The Rifimax is taken for about 10 days, but the effects of the antibiotic can last up to a year. After that time the patient would take another 10 day dose. Read more

Treatment for IBS With Severe Constipation

One of the 3 main types of IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is IBS with constipation. This is also referred to as IBS-C. Although this is not the most common side effects with irritable bowel syndrome there are many sufferers out there.

The biggest problem with constipation linked to IBS is that the sufferers intestines are so sensitive due to their illness that even the slightest constipation causes sever discomfort and a great deal of pain. This pain is also associated with the treatment because people with IBS often react with diarrhea instead of normal bowel movements so really you are just swapping one symptom for another. Read more

The Perfect IBS Diet?

Unfortunately there is no perfect IBS diet out there. In fact, we know that foods do not cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome they only aggravate the symptoms in some sufferers.

But there must be some sort of diet that can be followed! There is. What any IBS patient needs to be aware of is what effect certain foods have on the gut in general. There are foods that are known to cause diarrhea and cramping such as foods high in fat, alcohol, coffee (even decaf), fried foods, caffeine. These should be avoided as much as possible. Read more

So Why Am I Writing About IBS?

When I was fifteen I was admitted to hospital with a suspected appendicitis after suffering from severe stomach cramps; doctors later diagnosed my condition as IBS.

I find a hot water bottle can be comforting when I get stomach cramps, but for me, the most effective treatment is medication that specifically deals with the pain. Now 34, I suffer painful attacks almost every week consisting of bloating, constipation, severe cramping, and sickness. The attacks can range in severity, but even mild pain causes a great deal of disruption to my life, for I always fear that it may develop into a severe IBS attack.