What can I do to help IBS?(Irritable Bowel Syndrome)?!
Question:
What can I do to help IBS?(Irritable Bowel Syndrome)?
I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I can't eat seafood, chocolate, or pork. I went to my family doctor to see what I can do about it. He said just to stay away from those foods for a while so my stomach doesn't reconize it when I eat it again. I was wondering if there was anything I could take to make the pain go away when I eat those foods.
Answers:
Antispasmodics. Antispasmodics (such as dicyclomine [Bentyl], hyoscyamine [Levsin], and belladonna/phenobarbital [Donnatal]) are a class of drugs that are often prescribed to treat IBS symptoms. These drugs can relax the muscles of the stomach and intestines, and provide relief from abdominal pain. To be effective, antispasmodics are typically taken 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. However, they can also cause side effects such as blurred vision, constipation, decreased sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, and urinary problems.
Peppermint oil. A natural antispasmodic, peppermint can also help reduce spasms in the colon. Peppermint oil can be taken in either capsules or tea. While the capsules are more effective, and have even been approved for use with people with IBS in Germany, they can cause anal irritation. Additionally, peppermint also relaxes the muscles in the esophagus and can contribute to heartburn caused by acid reflux.
Antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline [Elavil], nortriptyline [Aventyl], imipramine [Tofranil]) are prescribed to people with IBS in order to treat abdominal pain. However, these agents are typically prescribed in much lower doses than they would be for treating depression. Antidepressants seem to be more helpful when taken at night for people with diarrhea predominant IBS (D-IBS). It may take several weeks of treatment with an antidepressant before it has an effect on abdominal pain.
Heating pad. A simple and inexpensive way of treating abdominal pain is with a home heating pad. Heat can help soothe cramping muscles and provide a source of comfort. Some tips to remember are:
* Never use a sports cream product (such as Icy Hot or Ben-Gay) with a heating pad as it can cause severe burns.
* Don't fall asleep with the heating pad still on.
* Never use a heating pad on bare skin.