Medication for Patients With Irritable Bowl Syndrome ( IBS)
“Do you know IBS affects between 25 and 45 million people in the United States? About 2 in 3 IBS sufferers are female and about 1 in 3 IBS sufferers are male. IBS affects people of all ages, even children.”
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common gut disorder. Symptoms can be quite variable and include pain in abdominal, bloating, and sometimes diarrhea and/or constipation.
Symptoms tend to come and go. There is no cure for IBS, but symptoms can often be eased with treatment.
Non-drug measures for IBS
One of the best measures that you can take to treat IBS is change your diet. Find the foods that can make the IBS symptoms worse. Various foods that can worsen your IBS issue are alcohol, caffeine, fried or fatty foods, sorbitol, broccoli, beans, and cabbage, etc.
Add more fiber to your diet as fiber intake can prevent you from constipation. Eating whole-grainbreads and cereals, beans, fruits, and vegetables may also help you. In some cases, your healthcare provider may also recommend a bulk-forming fiber, such as Metamucil.
Many patients have observed benefits from eating smaller and more frequent meals. Large meals cancause excessive stimulation and can worsen IBS symptoms. You may also consult with your health care provider to help you modify your diet.
While stress can worsen the IBS symptoms, learn the techniques to reduce stress, like relaxation therapy, and a good exercise program is always helpful.
Medications for IBS
Here is a list of medications that you can take to treat IBS. Make sure to consult your health care provider before taking any medication.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can help to reduce abdominal pain as well as can offer relief from depression and anxiety.
Antidiarrheal agents
Antidiarrheal medication such as Loperamide (Imodium A-D) can be used occasionally to treat diarrhea, but it doesn’t offer relief from abdominal pain and bloating.
Antispasmodics
Antispasmodics such as Hyoscyamine (Levsin) and dicyclomine (Bentyl) can reduce pain by decreasing gastrointestinal motility. They may have some unpleasant side effects such as dry mouth, sedation, and constipation.
Herbal products
Several products have been tried that are available without a prescription. For example, peppermint oil might help you.
You can try these medications if you’re experiencing IBS symptoms. Consult with your health care provider before trying any medications as a wrong medication can worsen your health condition.
