How to Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

There are currently many possible treatment choices for patients with IBS to try, and research is continually being done to find new effective medications. Nonetheless, many of the commonly used drugs to treat IBS have not been definitively proven to be superior to placebo.

An extensive review by Klein of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials performed between 1966 and 1988 found that none of the studies provided sound statistical evidence to suggest that any of the medications used were beneficial in treating IBS, chiefly because of poor trial design and statistical analyses in the published studies.

More recent improvements in the design of trials has yielded evidence to support the use of smooth muscle relaxants and antidepressants in pain-predominant IBS, use of the antidiarrheal loperamide for diarrhea, and the use of fiber for constipation. The emergence of combination medications, as well as the increased use of neurotransmitter regulators, will most likely enhance the efficacy of future IBS treatments.

One of the main problems, of course, is that a muscle relaxant or an anti-depressant induces severe side effects in some patients. Suddenly, the patient has to choose whether to endure the side effects of the medication, or simply allow the IBS to run their lives. This is unfortunately not an ideal way to treat a life-altering condition like IBS.

Doctors also advocate some simple remedies for patients with mild forms of the IBS condition. The initial suggestion is to try to remove stress as much as possible and eat a healthy diet. Since some foods may in fact aggravate the condition, it is up do the patient to identify and try to avoid these foods. Foods that are high in caffeine, for instance, like coffee and cola, are thought to make certain individuals feel worse. Alcohol and excessive dietary fat is also thought to induce cramping of the intestines.

Fiber can also be quite helpful to individuals that suffer from IBS. There are two main types of fiber that can be used to treat the different symptoms associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

The first type of fiber is called soluble fiber. This helps with both diarrhea and constipation. Some of the foods that contain soluble fiber are apples, beans, citrus fruits, and many garden vegetables. You can also buy supplements to enhance your intake of soluble fiber. Some popular brands are Fiberall, Metamucil, and Perdiem.

The second type of fiber is called insoluble fiber. This helps with constipation by bulking up the stool and adding more material to allow for easier passage through the digestive tract. You can find soluble fiber in many whole grain and wheat based products, as well as many vegetables.

Try to increase your daily fiber intake very slowly so to make sure your system can adjust. You will notice gas and bloating gradually decrease as you make these dietary changes. Try to eat a wide variety of foods so you can sample how each affects your symptoms.