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.

The results showed that all three agents were more effective than placebo in improving the symptoms in IBS patients, however peppermint oil appeared to be the most effective therapy. In terms of actual numbers, the fiber patients had 48% improved compared to 43% on placebo or low fiber diet; antispasmodic trials showed 61% of patients improved compared to 43% on placebo; while 74% treated with peppermint oil no longer had persistent symptoms compared to 35% in the placebo groups.

From this research, it is clear that peppermint oil is the most effective treatment studied. Dr. Alex Ford, the lead researcher from McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre in Ontario, Canada, advised: “Physicians, particularly those in primary care, who are being asked to take increasing responsibility for the management of IBS, should consider the use of these agents as first-line therapies for IBS.”
For those dealing with IBS, it is important to note that the researchers found that insoluble fiber such as wheat bran did not improve the symptoms of IBS sufferers. Only soluble fiber was found to be somewhat effective.

Peppermint oil is an essential oil and is quite volatile. It can break down quickly in the presence of stomach acids and in some people can induce heartburn. To avoid this, it is recommended that people use enteric coated peppermint oil capsules and consume them at least 30 minutes before a meal (empty stomach). This will ensure delivery to the intestines to maximize effectiveness while dramatically reducing the possibility of any stomach upset.

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?

I looked around the web to try and find some sites or articles that went into IBS causing anxiety but there really aren’t any. Sure there are articles and sites that deal with the fact that anxiety can cause IBS but that’s not really what I’m talking about here. What I wanted to get into was how to deal with the stress and anxiety directly caused by IBS.

I found countless posts on message boards from people who were asking the same type of question as me. How are you supposed to deal with life and commitments when you have this debilitating syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Well if nothing else, you could go with the old saying “misery loves company”.

I found a site called IBS Tales where people write about their horrible experiences with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. How this makes you feel better about your own IBS, I don’t know, it just does.

One of the things that seemed to be a constant theme is that health care professionals seem to downplay the seriousness of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I guess because it is not a life threatening illness they don’t see the devastation it can cause. Not only is it completely painful but it makes normal life seem sometimes unbearable.

The fact that doctors are downplaying the mental affect this illness has on it’s sufferers goes hand in hand with my inability to find some answers to the question I had about how patients are supposed to deal with the depression and anxiety directly caused by IBS.

I guess the answer is that depression and anxiety need to be treated as just that. You would need to seek treatment for those symptoms even though you know what the cause is…Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Finding the right support to help you through the more difficult times is going to be your best defense against the depression and anxiety.

By talking more to others who also suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome you are going to find more than not only will you be able to be around people who identify with your problem but they may be able to offer helpful hints to get you through.

Until the end of June, for every visitor to a partner organization’s booth Revolution Health will make a donation to that partner for a total of up to $10,000. We hope you’ll let your readers know about this. They’ll get valuable information and help the groups who advocate for them to prosper.

We’re looking forward to your participation.

ABOUT REVOLUTION HEALTH: Revolution Health is the new health resource website founded by Steve Case, partly because of the difficulties he and his family faced during his brother’s battle with brain cancer. He wants to make it a bit easier for those who follow by providing tools to support both patient and family.

I’m working with Revolution to support the work of bloggers who follow health issues. One way we’re doing that is by conducting these topical briefings, just for the blogger universe.

Revolution wants to highlight its ability to aggregate and share critical information on health issues by providing new information and contact with health leaders in relevant disease communities.

One great asset of the site is its population of experts, including those on nutrition, diet and weight loss, drawn from major academic institutions across the country, including Columbia, Harvard, Cleveland Clinic, the University of California at San Francisco, the University of Southern California, Johns Hopkins, Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson, and more

Myibsstory had reported that Zelnorm by Novartis was a very popular treatment of IBS with constipation. This no longer holds true. Novartis, the maker of Zelnorm, had agreed in March of 2007 to stop selling Zelnorm in the United States.

What prompted Novartis to cease selling Zelnorm in the United States? The Food and Drug Administration made this request after Zelnorm was linked to increasing the chance of heart attacks and strokes and also worsening chest pain which can become a heart attack. But is Zelnorm still being sold in other countries?

The answer is yes. But it appears that other countries are now following in the footsteps of the United States. China has just announced that it will halt the production and sale of Zelnorm by Novartis for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. This decision came after the Chinese Food and Drug Administration had received 98 reports of adverse reactions relating to Zelnorm being used in IBS treatment.

Since Zelnorm by Novartis was thought of as a wonder drug when treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome it comes as no shock to find that hundreds of thousands of patients in China were currently using this drug. So what are all of these Chinese and American sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome supposed to do now?

There are other pharmaceutical products available for treatment of IBS that are worth trying. Education about IBS symptoms is your best bet for finding a treatment that works for you. Finding an IBS diet that works for you is also a very important step in the treatment of IBS.

The thought of moving my bowels in a public restroom makes me uncomfortable. Now, the thought of moving my bowels in a public restroom while having diarrhea and severe abdominal cramping makes me feel anxiety. Sadly this is a fact of life from thousands of people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome.

What Are Common Symptoms Of IBS?

1. Abdominal Cramping
2. Abdominal Pain
3. Bloating
4. Flatulence
5. Constipation
6. Diarrhea

Now think of what it is like to have to deal with any one of these Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms, let alone all, while you are out on the town. You would constantly be thinking, obsessing, worrying about it. That right there causes emotional distress which would then cause your symptoms to worsen. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a psychological disease and I’m in no way saying that it is. It’s just that stress worsens IBS symptoms.

IBS Sufferers Need To Relax

How can you relax when you have all of these symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome going on? Well there are a few things that you can do to cut down on the amount of emotional distress you suffer as a result of your IBS symptoms. If you feel a little more prepared to handle some of the symptoms while you are out…that is a great start.

Be prepared with over the counter medication that will lessen your IBS symptoms should they arise while you are out. Just knowing that you have that as backup will make you relax a little more. You could carry Beano for flatulence, Imodium for diarrhea, etc. Sure you will be walking around stocked like a drugstore but the peace of mind will be well worth it.

I would also suggest being able to make a quick getaway. Part of my worrying when it came to being out with a group of friends was the fear that if my symptoms kicked in and I wanted to go home I would need to ruin other people’s night by asking them to leave to. I now make sure that I bring my own car or have a plan as to how I can leave by myself if it comes to it. This way I can just make something up and don’t have to suffer the embarrassment of people knowing I needed to go home and sit on the toilet all night.

If you truly find that you can’t relax because of the dreaded irritable bowel syndrome symptoms looming over your head you may want to consider the option of having your doctor prescribe you a mild tranquilizer. This will make you relax whether you like it or not. Once you take out the emotional distress piece of IBS I think you will find it easier to deal with your symptoms. Once you find it easier to deal with your symptoms you won’t worry so much about having them. Once you don’t worry so much about having them you will find that the symptoms of IBS decrease. You’ll turn the vicious circle around the other way.

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.

Scientists are hoping to use the blue agava plant to create acid-resistant drugs that will reach the colon to treat not only irritable bowel syndrome but Crohn’s, Colitis and even Cancer.

There are not many drugs on the market being used to treat irritable bowel syndrome. This is definitely a step in the right direction as far as drug treatment is concerned.

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.

These patients also would fit the criteria of “driven” people, carrying on regardless until they were actually forced to rest. These behaviors actually prolongs the duration of the condition.

The conclusion? Irritable Bowel Syndrome may be triggered by something such as a bacterial infection but patient’s behaviors and stress levels worsen or prolong the side effects of IBS.

If you suffer from IBS you really need to take a self evaluation to see if your own behaviors are contributing to your illness. Make any changes possible to cut down on your stress level. You really need to consider your personal health your number one priority.

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.

A simple breath test on IBS sufferers usually shows an overgrowth of bacteria in the stomach. Doctors are now trying to work on the theory that it is this overgrowth of bacteria which causes IBS. Helping to prove this theory is the improvement in symptoms seen in patients after taking the 10 day dose of Rifimax. What also helps is that Italy has been using Rifimax for over 15 years to successfully treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

A longer study is still needed in the United States to verify the results and look into long term effects of this treatment. This certainly is hopeful news to anyone out there suffering the effects of IBS. There are 20% of Americans that can attest to the agony of living with chronic stomach cramps, gas and diarrhea. IBS is the second leading cause for missed work days in our country. Hopefully Rifimax will prove to be a successful treatment.

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.

Types of IBS Constipation Treatment
Treatment for constipation in IBS patients is really a trial and error type of thing. What works well for one person may really irritate another.

Take fiber for instance. While this is a very popular treatment of constipation and does work to bulk up the stool and get the water moving in the intestines, the most popular doctor recommended forms of fiber such as bran can really be upsetting and irritating to an IBS stomach.

Diet and Exercise are very important in treatment of constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome. While you may consider yourself as having a health diet, there can be contributing factors in your diet that you haven’t considered. Gluten has been linked to causing constipation with IBS patients. You could try eating a Gluten free diet and see if this gives any relief to your constipation.

A very popular and effective treatment being used is the prescription drug Zelnorm. This drug works to increase the movement of stool through the bowels. It is also designed to relieve abdominal pain, bloating and constipation. The good thing about this drug is that is designed to be taken for a short period of time such as a few weeks or a month rather than for an infinite period of time.

So as you can see, there is not just one cure for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation. You are probably going to go through a period of trial and error before finding the treatment that works for you. Good luck with that.

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.

Foods that cause gas can also reek havoc with IBS. Some of these foods are beans, cabbage, legumes, broccoli, cauliflower, raisins, onions, brussell sprouts, even bagels. Over-eating can also cause gaseousness which is a problem for IBS sufferers as Irritable Bowel Syndrome is thought to cause retention of gas and bloating.

The best advice for obtaining a diet that agrees with IBS is to seek the counseling of a professional. A doctor could come up with a good diet by taking a diet history and thoroughly questioning you on your symptoms after eating certain foods. A registered dietician would be another choice. They would be able to assess your individual circumstances and then create a diet that is specific to your symptoms and your needs.

Basically there is a lot of work going into finding a diet that works with your IBS. As stated above this may come easier with the help of a professional. Good luck with that.