IBS Diarrhea

IBS diarrhea is an IBS condition where diarrhea is predominant. This is the most common form of IBS, which includes a huge number of people suffering. In this IBS condition, one experience frequent bowel movements characterized by watery and/or loose stool. It can be very difficult to deal with particularly because of the need to always stay close to a bathroom, which considerably restricts a patient's lives. Other IBS diarrhea-related symptoms include abdominal pain or discomfort, cramping, bloating, gas, nausea and dehydration.

Below are 5 treatment options to help relieve IBS diarrhea:

Diet Control

Diet should always be considered first before resorting to any medications or alternative remedies. Though diet changes may not entirely cure IBS diarrhea, it may help reduce the frequency of the attacks.

It must also be considered that foods with high sugar content can act like a laxative to ones body, especially for an IBS sufferer since in this condition the stomach is already quite sensitive.

Over the counter Antidiarrheal Drugs

When used as short-term treatment, over the counter (OTC) antidiarrheal medications can be effective at providing diarrhea relief.

There are two types of antidiarrheal drugs.

• Stool thickeners - which contain fruit pectin and clay that absorb toxins and bacteria in the intestine to help thicken stool.
• Antispasmodic - which slow down spasms that occur in the intestines.

It must be taken into consideration though that antidiarrheals are usually effective but it doss not help other symptoms such as bloating or abdominal discomfort. Also, prolonged use of antidiarrheals can result in dry mouth, constipation, and other symptoms. It is advisable to always consult the doctor first before taking any OTC antidiarrheal medicines.

Prescribed Medications

IBS patients are commonly prescribed with low doses of tricyclic antidepressants for abdominal pain. These medicines effectively block pain signals to the brain and don't cause diarrhea. However, it may cause other symptoms including constipation.

Lotronex is another medication that may be prescribed. This drug is designed to particularly block the effect serotonin (chemical produced by the body) has on digestive system, and in so doing, it soothes the colon and slows bowel movement frequency. This has been found to be successful at alleviating IBS symptoms including diarrhea, stomach discomfort and urgency but has only been approved for women who suffer from severe cases of diarrhea-predominant IBS ad have not responded to previous treatment methods.

Alternative Therapy

Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, probiotics and herbal remedies can also effectively reduce and alleviate diarrhea as well as its related symptoms in some IBS sufferers. These methods were designed to give assistance to the body in healing itself by providing it with stimulation (acupuncture), healthy gut bacteria (probiotics), or herbs.

Behavioral Therapy

Stress can actually trigger IBS symptoms and make diarrhea worse, by causing the stomach to tense which then lead to cramping and overall stomach upset. Regular stress as well as stress towards IBS condition can be reduced by engaging in meditation exercises, relaxation therapy, hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Understanding IBS Diarrhea Recommended Resources:

Upstate Medical University