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.

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.

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.