subject: Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Alternative Course of Treatment [print this page] Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Alternative Course of Treatment
Irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, or spastic colon is a functional bowel disorder characterized by the following conditions: chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any detectable organic cause. IBS symptoms include: a "crampy" feeling, sharp, dull, gas-like, or a dull ache, a bloated, gas or flatulence, diarrhea or constipation, and a sensation of abdominal fullness, mucus in stool. Specific diets and eliminating foods that are triggers have been successful in treating IBS. Some medications have helped.
Stress, anxiety and fatigue often exacerbate the symptoms of IBS. Recently, healthcare professionals and IBS sufferers have experimented with alternative treatments for IBS. These include: acupuncture, dietary supplements, and herbs. Not always get the medically approved these alternative treatments have offered some patients help with treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. Alternative treatments for stress, anxiety and fatigue include: hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, yoga and acupuncture. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health state that acupuncture has proven effective for treating chronic pain associated with conditions including Irritated Bowel Syndrome. The results are mixed on whether the treatments really work for IBS.
Supplements such as herbs, oils and have been used in combination with other IBS treatment, including changes in diet, stress reduction techniques and medicines. These supplements include: evening primrose oil, borage oil, fish oil, and probiotics. Researchers have shown that the oil supplements help calm down the gut, and probiotics restore the good balance of bacteria in the digestive system. The addition of natural fibers has helped as well. These include: natural fiber and/or fiber supplements include: psyllium husks, chicory root, acacia, methylcellulose, calcium polycarbophil, or wheat dextrin.While evening primrose oil, and borage oil have produced promising results in IBS treatment. Fish oil supplements have not demonstrated any scientific proof that they work as alternative treatments of Irritated Bowel Syndrome.Herbs are also popular alternative treatments for people with IBS. Peppermint is used to calm muscles in the colon, which may cause some of the diarrhea and abdominal discomfort suffered by people with Irritated Bowel Syndrome.
The research investigating alternative IBS treatment is still relatively young and the medical profession is skeptical about some treatments. However, results and patient reports show alternative treatments for Irritated Bowel Syndrome have produced hopeful results.
