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IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME TREATMENTS |
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Dietary changes, sometimes supplemented
by drugs or psychotherapy, are considered the key to successful
treatment. The following approach, offered by Dalton and Drossman,
is typical of the advice found in the medical literature on Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The
authors tie their approach to the severity of the patient's symptoms:
Mild symptoms Dalton and Drossman recommend a low-fat, high-fiber diet. Problem-causing substances such as lactose, caffeine, beans, cabbage, cucumbers, broccoli, fatty foods, alcohol, and medications should be identified and avoided. Bran or 15-25 grams a day of an over-the-counter psyllium laxative (Metamucil or Fiberall) may also help both constipation and diarrhea. The patient can still have milk or milk products if lactose intolerance is not a problem. People with irregular bowel habits--particularly constipated patients--may be helped by establishing set times for meals and bathroom visits. Moderate symptoms The advice given by Dalton and Drossman in mild cases applies here as well. They also suggest that patients keep a diary of symptoms for two or three weeks, covering daily activities including meals, and emotional responses to events. The doctor can then review the diary with the patient to identify possible problem areas. Although a high-fiber diet remains the standard treatment for constipated patients, such laxatives as lactulose (Chronulac) or sorbitol may be prescribed. Loperamide (Imodium) and cholestyramine (Questran) are suggested for diarrhea. Abdominal pain after meals can be reduced by taking antispasmodic drugs such as hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, or Levsin) or dicyclomine (Bemote, Bentyl, or Di-Spaz) before eating. Dalton and Drossman also suggest psychological counseling or behavioral therapy for some patients to reduce anxiety and to learn to cope with the pain and other symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Relaxation therapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, and cognitive-behavioral therapy are examples of behavioral therapy. Severe symptoms When Irritable Bowel Syndrome produces constant pain that interferes with everyday life, antidepressant drugs can help by blocking pain transmission from the nervous system. Dalton and Drossman also underscore the importance of an ongoing and supportive doctor-patient relationship. Alternative treatment Alternative and mainstream approaches to Irritable Bowel Syndrome treatment overlap to a certain extent. Like mainstream doctors, alternative practitioners advise a high-fiber diet to reduce digestive system irritation. They also suggest avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and fatty, gassy, or spicy foods. Recommended stress management techniques include yoga, meditation, hypnosis, biofeedback, and reflexology. Reflexology is a technique of foot massage that is thought to relieve diarrhea, constipation, and other Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. Alternative medicine also emphasizes such herbal remedies as ginger (Zingiber officinale), buckthorn (Rhamnus purshiana), and enteric-coated peppermint oil. Enteric coating prevents digestion until the peppermint oil reaches the small intestine, thus avoiding irritation of the upper part of the digestive tract. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), valerian (Valeriana officinalis), rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), and other herbs are recommended for their antispasmodic properties. The list of alternative treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome is in fact quite long. It includes aromatherapy, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, juice therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, naturopathic medicine, and Chinese traditional herbal medicine. |
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