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Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Also indexed as:IBS, Mucous Colitis, Spastic Colon, Premenstrual IBS
IBS—not your typical tummy ache. Symptoms may include abdominal bloating and soreness, wind, alternating diarrhoea and constipation, backaches, and fatigue. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Main Image
IBS—not your typical tummy ache. Symptoms may include abdominal bloating and soreness, wind, alternating diarrhoea and constipation, backaches, and fatigue. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
  • Try loperamide (Imodium AD) to treat diarrhoea

  • Find the right fibre

    Try different fibre sources, including high-fibre foods such as linseed, rye, brown rice, porridge, barley, and vegetables, as well as bulk-forming laxatives like psyllium husk and methylcellulose, to find the right balance of regularity without episodes of diarrhoea

  • Avoid problem foods

    Experiment with limiting dairy products and beans, as well as foods containing caffeine, fructose, or sorbitol, to see which restrictions may help reduce your symptoms

  • Try peppermint and caraway oils

    Taking a coated herbal supplement providing 0.2 to 0.4 ml of peppermint oil, preferably combined with 50 mg of caraway oil, three times a day may reduce wind production, ease intestinal cramping, and soothe the intestinal tract

  • Explore food sensitivities

    Work with a specialist to identify other foods that aggravate your condition

  • Commonly prescribed medicines include tegaserod (Zelnorm) to treat IBS related constipation, hyosciamine (Levsin, Levbid, NuLev) to relieve intestinal cramping, and diphenoxylate/atropine (Lomotil) to treat diarrhoea

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2024.