Sun
19
Apr
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) include one or more of the following: alternating diarrhea and constipation, intestinal gas, bloating and cramping, abdominal pain, painful bowel movements, mucus discharge, and undigested food in the stool. Despite all these distressing symptoms, in IBS the intestines appear to be perfectly healthy when they are examined. Thus the condition belongs to a category of diseases that physicians call functional. This term means that while the function of the bowel seems to have gone awry, no injury or disturbance of its structure can be discovered.
The cause of IBS remains unknown. Medical treatment for irritable bowel syndrome consists mainly of increased dietary fiber plus drugs that reduce bowel spasm. In addition, various forms of psychotherapy, including hypnosis, have been tried, with some success.
The cause of IBS remains unknown. Medical treatment for irritable bowel syndrome consists mainly of increased dietary fiber plus drugs that reduce bowel spasm. In addition, various forms of psychotherapy, including hypnosis, have been tried, with some success.
Treatment
Principal Proposed Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome:
Peppermint
Peppermint oil is widely used for IBS. However, the research evidence is a bit contradictory. In the most recent trial, 42 children with IBS were given either peppermint oil or placebo. The results showed significant improvement in pain levels in the treated group as compared to the placebo group.
For more information, including dosage and safety issues, see the full peppermint article.
Probiotics
Probiotics ("friendly" bacteria) may be helpful for IBS, although some types may work better than others.
In a 4-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 60 individuals with IBS, probiotic treatment with Lactobacillus plantarum reduced intestinal gas significantly. The benefits persisted for an additional year after treatment was stopped.
In another 4-week, double-blind trial, 40 individuals with IBS again received either L.plantarum or placebo. The results showed improvements in abdominal pain and symptoms in the treated group as compared to the placebo group. A small 6 week trial using L. acidophilus also found indications of benefit.
However, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 24 individuals with irritable bowel syndrome, use of Lactobacillus GG failed to produce any benefit.
Flaxseeds
In a double-blind study, 55 people with chronic constipation caused by irritable bowel syndrome received either ground flaxseed or psyllium seed (a well-known treatment for constipation) daily for 3 months. Those taking flaxseed had significantly fewer problems with constipation, abdominal pain, and bloating than those taking psyllium. The flaxseed group had even further improvements in constipation and bloating while continuing their treatment in the 3 months after the double-blind study ended. The researcher concluded that flaxseed relieved constipation more effectively than psyllium.
Other Proposed Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome:
The herbs Coleus forskohlii and slippery elm as well as the supplement glutamine are also sometimes recommended for IBS, but there is little to no evidence as yet that they really work.
Food allergies may also play a role in IBS, and diets based on identifying and eliminating allergenic foods might offer some benefit.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil is widely used for IBS. However, the research evidence is a bit contradictory. In the most recent trial, 42 children with IBS were given either peppermint oil or placebo. The results showed significant improvement in pain levels in the treated group as compared to the placebo group.
For more information, including dosage and safety issues, see the full peppermint article.
Probiotics
Probiotics ("friendly" bacteria) may be helpful for IBS, although some types may work better than others.
In a 4-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 60 individuals with IBS, probiotic treatment with Lactobacillus plantarum reduced intestinal gas significantly. The benefits persisted for an additional year after treatment was stopped.
In another 4-week, double-blind trial, 40 individuals with IBS again received either L.plantarum or placebo. The results showed improvements in abdominal pain and symptoms in the treated group as compared to the placebo group. A small 6 week trial using L. acidophilus also found indications of benefit.
However, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 24 individuals with irritable bowel syndrome, use of Lactobacillus GG failed to produce any benefit.
Flaxseeds
In a double-blind study, 55 people with chronic constipation caused by irritable bowel syndrome received either ground flaxseed or psyllium seed (a well-known treatment for constipation) daily for 3 months. Those taking flaxseed had significantly fewer problems with constipation, abdominal pain, and bloating than those taking psyllium. The flaxseed group had even further improvements in constipation and bloating while continuing their treatment in the 3 months after the double-blind study ended. The researcher concluded that flaxseed relieved constipation more effectively than psyllium.
Other Proposed Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome:
The herbs Coleus forskohlii and slippery elm as well as the supplement glutamine are also sometimes recommended for IBS, but there is little to no evidence as yet that they really work.
Food allergies may also play a role in IBS, and diets based on identifying and eliminating allergenic foods might offer some benefit.