by Jackie Hart, MD
Q: I have lots of uncomfortable stomach symptoms that affect my digestion discomfort, bloating, gas, and altered bowel habits. I had a colonoscopy and an upper endoscopy, but my doctor found nothing. I have been given two prescriptions (Dicyclomine and Esomeprazole magnesium).
Are there herbs that I can take instead of these medications to alleviate my symptoms? Would digestive enzymes help?
A: From your description, it sounds as if you may have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Ask your doctor if this could be the case in your situation. Note, though, that Esomeprazole, a recently FDA-approved medication, is generally used to treat reflux of acid from the stomach to the esophagus causing heartburn and other uncomfortable symptoms; so, if you have these symptoms as well you may have more than one condition.
With IBS, people experience irritation and spasm in their gastrointestinal tracts leading to the symptoms youve described. However, no underlying cause for this syndrome has been identified. Therefore, the main goal of treatment is to regulate bowel function and relieve symptoms. This may be done with medication, or with alternative methods including dietary and lifestyle changes. The latter combination is often more effective than medication.
Dietary changes are usually the first step. Try an elimination/challenge diet with possible food allergens and dairy foods, which some people have trouble digesting. Food allergens are foods that you may be sensitive to, such as wheat, corn, peanuts, citrus, soy, eggs, fish, and night shade vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant). An elimination/challenge diet involves eliminating all suspected food allergens for two weeks and then reintroducing one food at a time every three days. As you do this, keep track of any signs of sensitivity such as gas, bloating, irregular bowel habits, headache, fatigue, or flushing. If any of these symptoms occurs after the reintroduction of a particular food, you may be sensitive to this food, and should avoid it.
A low-fat diet, with little meat and extra fiber (e.g., psyllium supplements, flax, bran, etc.) will help digestion as well. And, your suspicion about digestive enzymes is correct they can help people with IBS when taken 20 minutes before eating. Probiotics, specifically Lactobacillus acidophilus, also help diminish gas and bloating by normalizing the bacteria that normally live in the gastrointestinal tract.
Regular exercise and stress reduction techniques such as yoga, tai chi, biofeedback, and hypnosis can also help regulate your bowel habits and alleviate symptoms of IBS.
If faithful following of the methods described here does not bring you relief, you may consider herbs:
Q: I have lots of uncomfortable stomach symptoms that affect my digestion discomfort, bloating, gas, and altered bowel habits. I had a colonoscopy and an upper endoscopy, but my doctor found nothing. I have been given two prescriptions (Dicyclomine and Esomeprazole magnesium).
Are there herbs that I can take instead of these medications to alleviate my symptoms? Would digestive enzymes help?
A: From your description, it sounds as if you may have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Ask your doctor if this could be the case in your situation. Note, though, that Esomeprazole, a recently FDA-approved medication, is generally used to treat reflux of acid from the stomach to the esophagus causing heartburn and other uncomfortable symptoms; so, if you have these symptoms as well you may have more than one condition.
With IBS, people experience irritation and spasm in their gastrointestinal tracts leading to the symptoms youve described. However, no underlying cause for this syndrome has been identified. Therefore, the main goal of treatment is to regulate bowel function and relieve symptoms. This may be done with medication, or with alternative methods including dietary and lifestyle changes. The latter combination is often more effective than medication.
Dietary changes are usually the first step. Try an elimination/challenge diet with possible food allergens and dairy foods, which some people have trouble digesting. Food allergens are foods that you may be sensitive to, such as wheat, corn, peanuts, citrus, soy, eggs, fish, and night shade vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant). An elimination/challenge diet involves eliminating all suspected food allergens for two weeks and then reintroducing one food at a time every three days. As you do this, keep track of any signs of sensitivity such as gas, bloating, irregular bowel habits, headache, fatigue, or flushing. If any of these symptoms occurs after the reintroduction of a particular food, you may be sensitive to this food, and should avoid it.
A low-fat diet, with little meat and extra fiber (e.g., psyllium supplements, flax, bran, etc.) will help digestion as well. And, your suspicion about digestive enzymes is correct they can help people with IBS when taken 20 minutes before eating. Probiotics, specifically Lactobacillus acidophilus, also help diminish gas and bloating by normalizing the bacteria that normally live in the gastrointestinal tract.
Regular exercise and stress reduction techniques such as yoga, tai chi, biofeedback, and hypnosis can also help regulate your bowel habits and alleviate symptoms of IBS.
If faithful following of the methods described here does not bring you relief, you may consider herbs:
- Peppermint oil (Mentha piperita), 1-2 capsules, 3 times/day after meals
- Fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare) tea
- Ginger root (Zingiber officinalis) tea