IBS Treatment

IBS treatment depends on the types of symptoms one have and the severity of the condition, as well as how it affect ones daily life. However there are five key categories that can be considered for IBS Treatment.

IBS Treatment through Diet

Diet plays a direct role in gut function and dietary changes can bring big improvement to all IBS symptoms.

It is found that any food that is high in fat, insoluble fiber, caffeine, coffee (even decaf), carbonation, or alcohol is problematic. All of these food categories are either GI stimulants or irritants, and can cause violent reactions of the gastrocolic reflex which directly affects the muscles in the colon and can then lead to pain, constipation and diarrhea, gas, and bloating.

The single greatest dietary aid for preventing and relieving Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms is soluble fiber. It soothes and regulates the digestive tract, the intestinal contractions are stabilized and bowel function is normalized. It also prevents and relieves both diarrhea and constipation.

IBS Treatment through Supplements

There are a lot of effective supplements for symptom management of IBS. In particular, soluble fiber supplements, herbs (such as fennel and peppermint) that give beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract, heat therapy, probiotics, calcium and/or magnesium, and digestive enzymes are all proven to give great benefits. Usually, results are felt quickly and sometimes even immediately.

IBS Treatment through Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies, particularly gut-directed hypnotherapy and acupuncture, are also clinically proven methods of relieving IBS symptoms. Hypnotherapy even offers a potential for permanent cure, and research to establish this effect is ongoing. Both forms of treatment can be tailored to specifically address IBS patients, giving focus on reducing the frequency, severity, and duration of attacks. It is very impressive for these treatments that high success rates are achievable, and side effects can be non-existent.

IBS Treatment through Stress Management

Stress inhibits sympathetic nerve plexuses, and stimulates the production of excessive adrenaline, which in turn can upset the rhythmic muscle contractions of the gut. As it was given that people with IBS are more prone to suffer from irregular GI contractions by definition, it's very easy to see why stress is such a powerful trigger.