Irritable Bowel Syndrome Medications and Their Effectiveness

January 13, 2010 by mbelcher · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS 
Despite being a fairly common disorder (affecting roughly 30% of the population), irritable bowel syndrome remains a mystery to us. Most do not really know what its symptoms are and, more importantly, how it can be treated.

This condition is usually associated with abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloated stomach, noisy tummy, dizziness, sickness, backaches, flatulence, and slow digestion. It could also cause people to suffer emotionally.

When you start experiencing any of these symptoms, consult with your doctor. During your visit, help him make the correct diagnosis by providing him with relevant information about your disorder. Let him know when it all started, how bad the pain is, and how often do these symptoms surface.

And even if this is a benign condition, you need to follow the doctor’s orders to the letter. Not doing so will make the pain more intense and force you to take leave of absence or refrain from doing your daily duties.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Medications

After examining your history and laboratory results, your doctor will prescribe a medicine to address your problems. Among the most recommended medicines for this disorder are Alostron and Tegaserod. Alostron effectively decreases abdominal sensitivity as well as relieves other symptoms of this disorder.

This also works for pregnant women, who are more likely to experience more intense pain. Tegaserod increases the movement of your intestines and as a result, eases the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

These medicines will help make you well enough to go about with your daily routines and activities. With their help, you could be having irritable bowel syndrome but still feel up for the challenges of day-to-day life. These are especially helpful to those experiencing severe pain, diarrhea, or constipation, but don’t respond to other medications.

A word of caution though: don’t drink these medicines on your own. If Alostron or Tegaserod is suited for your condition, your physician will give a prescription for any of these. This expert will determine, based on your severity and response to other medications, which one is more appropriate for you.

In addition, your doctor will most likely ask you to consult a nutritionist, a professional who will create a proper diet for you. You need to stick to this diet because it is the only thing that can prevent your irritable bowel syndrome from recurring.



By: Jessica Bradbury

About the Author:

Article written by Jessica Bradbury, she has a site dedicated to bottom line information on irritable bowel syndrome treatments and a IBS Symptoms.



irritable bowel syndrome

What is Food Intolerance?

November 18, 2009 by mbelcher · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS 
Have you ever feel bloated and suffer discomfort in your stomach after a meal? Are you accepting these discomforts as part of the your life and accepting it without finding the cause? Do you know that the underlying cause of ailments like migraine, eczema, arthritis, bloating could be a case of food intolerance?

Food intolerance is a condition where a person feels unwell after eating certain foods. The symptoms for food intolerance are often mistaken for common ailments such as headaches, bloating, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema and acid reflux.

How do you know if you have food intolerance?

Food intolerance is usually diagnosed through a process of elimination, also known as blind elimination. That is, to removing certain food from the diet, wait to see if the symptoms clear up. However, it is sometimes very difficult to identify the food or combinations of foods that are causing the problem as symptoms can appear up to 48 hours after the food is eaten. The process of blind elimination is lengthy and would require lots of patience.

Nowadays, there are proven medical test used to diagnose food intolerance. A blood test done to check any elevation in the level of food specific IgG antibodies can identify the problem food or ingredient. Such test will significantly reduce the process of identifying the sensitive food and corrective treatment can be carried out quickly.

There are 4 common types of food intolerance and they are:



Wheat Intolerance - Wheat is a staple and nutritious diet for many people around the world. However, many people do not realise that the underlying cause for some of their ailments could be due to wheat intolerance. Symptoms such as aching joints, bloating, flatulence, fluid retention, eczema and joint pains can be relieved with medical help and by eliminating wheat from our diet. 

Gluten Intolerance - Wheat is one of the main problems for people who suffer from gluten intolerance. However, wheat intolerance is not necessarily linked to gluten intolerance. People suffering from gluten intolerance are sensitive to the gluten, a protein found commonly in wheat, barley, rye and oats.  

Lactose Intolerance - Lactose intolerance occurs when the digestive system in a person cannot break down completely the sugar called Lactose that is found in milk. Symptoms for lactose intolerance are: Stomach bloating, Diarrhoea., Abdominal pain, Nausea, Flatulence, Vomiting   

Yeast Intolerance - Yeast is a fungus organism that feed on sugar and produces gas. We need certain amount yeast in our body to maintain a normal and healthy digestive tract. However, too much yeast in our body will give rise to many health problems. 



Food intolerance is usually not life threatening but it will give you discomfort and make you unwell. Knowing what your food intolerance is; not only enable you to identify the cause of the ailments, it also helps you to take to necessary action to make you healthy again.



By: Jenn Lim

About the Author:

“For many years,I have accepted and live with a condition I did not know as food intolerance. Since identifying the food intolerance problem and doing the neccessary remedy, I have learned to overcome this health issue.
I have condensed my research and experiences which I hope could help others in similiar condition.” Jenn Lim, writer of www.gored.eu, about food intolerance.



food intolerance

Why You Should Join An Ibs Support Group

August 6, 2009 by mbelcher · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS 
Finding relief for IBS shouldn’t only include treatment for physical symptoms such as diarrhea. Your physical body isn’t the only part of you that suffers from irritable bowel syndrome. Your mind and emotions are also dramatically affected by IBS, and shouldn’t be ignored. For this reason, it is a good idea for an IBS sufferer to join a support group.

An IBS support group is an excellent way for an IBS sufferer to cope, learn and share with others all the difficulties they face in their life because of their condition.

The following are a few reasons why joining an IBS support group can help make a difference in your world -

Make Friends – IBS can cause those who suffer from it to feel isolated, often causing them to stop social activities and confining themselves to their home. Isolation usually results from IBS symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and flatulence that can be embarrassing, uncomfortable and debilitating. In addition, some medications for IBS can cause serious side effects that can actually increase isolation feelings.

A support group can help relieve your feelings of isolation when you meet people who understand and truly sympathize with what you are going through, because they suffer the same.

Relieve stress – Many people with IBS have difficulty opening up about their condition to other non-sufferers, including family doctors. The reason is because many people who are unfamiliar with the condition have mixed beliefs about it. In fact, some people don’t even believe IBS exists and think it’s “all in your head”. Thus, not only is it frustrating to live with IBS, it is frustrating to have to explain your condition to those who don’t believe in it or won’t understand. This creates plenty of stress.

Talking to fellow IBS sufferers at a support group about the way you are treated by others and sharing stories, helps to eliminate some of the stress you feel.

Educate yourself – Support groups are a fantastic way to learn about IBS. You can find out about different treatment methods and how a member who has undergone the treatment responded to it. You can learn and discuss latest studies, find out if there are any clinical trials, etc. In addition, support groups can help educate non-sufferers about IBS and provide them with understanding.

How to find an IBS support group

Due to the fact that IBS is a common condition that affects millions of people, there are many support groups available both locally and online. Here is how you can find them -

Local Search

- Ask your health care provider/gastroenterologist about a local support group

- Call your local hospital and ask about support groups in your area

- Do an online search using your city and “ibs support group” as the keywords.

- Start your own support group by making friends with fellow patients in the waiting room who also see your gastroenterologist

Online Search

- Do a general search for IBS and see what you come up with

- Search for the keywords “ibs” or “irritable bowel syndrome” and “forum” or “message boards”, or “online support” (IE. “ibs online support group” or “irritable bowel syndrome message board”)

The following are two great online IBS support group sites -

1. http://ibsgroup.org – The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self Help Group is the largest online support community for people suffering with IBS.

2. http://helpforibs.com – This is another excellent online community where you can learn and find support from fellow sufferers.

An estimated 35 million Americans suffer from IBS, proof you’re not alone. Opening up to others is one of the best ways to cope with IBS. Talking and sharing with those who understand you can make a world of difference.



By: Susan Reynolds

About the Author:
By Susan Reynolds. Sign up for a free newsletter that has proven methods for managing IBS naturally & discover effective IBS treatments.



Create a video blog…instantly.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – A Functional Disorder

August 6, 2009 by mbelcher · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS 
Irritable bowel syndrome – As the name suggests affects your bowel which is also your large intestine. It is an important part of your digestive system which makes and stores stool. This condition is associated with many symptoms due to which it is termed as syndrome. You may be shocked or surprised by the number of people who are affected by this kind of a problem. IBS cannot be termed as a disease but a functional disorder related to the bowel. Intestinal diseases like ulcerative colitis and Cohn’s disease can damage your intestine but IBS does not harm your intestine through inflammation or any other methods. The key to control this syndrome is to have a healthy and stress free lifestyle. This syndrome puts you through lot of pain and discomfort.

Some common reasons which cause this syndrome are large meals, bloated colon, specific medicines and food. Stress may not be directly related to IBS but if you are suffering from IBS, stress can surely aggravate the situation. It is known that during menstrual periods chances of IBS increases due to change in hormonal pattern. Common symptoms which pinpoint towards IBS are bloated stomach, abdominal pain with cramps, diarrhea, constipation, excess gas/ flatulence, mucus in the stool.

Food becomes an important part when affected by IBS. There is no one food which triggers this problem. Any food which is high in fat, insoluble fiber (which cannot be dissolved in water like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and cereals and caffeine (in any form like carbonated beverages, tea, coffee and even decaf) can cause this problem. Soluble fibers on the other hand are our saviors. They can get through problems like diarrhea and constipation. An increased fiber diet really helps you beat this problem. But excess of anything can be trouble. Other than helping you out from this mess it may push you further into it. There are no specific treatments which can cure IBS problem but by using preventive measure we can relieve the symptoms. A change in ones lifestyle can make a huge difference to fight this condition. Some dietary changes, changes in medicines as well as counter attacking stress-related problem make a lot of difference.

Home Remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Instead of having one large meal, eat small meals which will not add too much stress on your digestive system.

Another method of treating this syndrome is by the use of hypnotherapy. It is one of the drug-free solutions to combat this problem.

Avoid stress by doing some relaxing activities like reading, chatting up with your friends, listening to music and many more.

In dietary changes avoid all the fatty foods like French fries, cheese, ice-cream, chocolate, alcohol and many more.

You can include soluble fiber in your diet such as rice, pasta and noodles, oatmeal, barley, fresh white bread, turnips, sweet potatoes, avocados, papayas and many more.

Drink enough fluids to remain hydrated as well as to have smooth bowel movements.

Avoid gas generating vegetables like beans, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and onions.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.



By: Sharon Hopkins

About the Author:

Sharon Hopkins looks after websites which are similar to home cure treatment, giving out tips and remedies to fight them. Home Cure for IBS can prevent problems like cramping and abdominal pain which are its common symptoms.



Website content

Ibs Treatment – Take Control of your Life From Irritable Bowel Syndrome

August 4, 2009 by mbelcher · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS 
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is not a disease per se but a functional disorder. Until now, the medical community does not have a definite answer why and how it happens but I have my own theory, not from a qualified medical perspective but from a sufferer’s perspective. I think that the most important thing to know is that IBS is not terminal. The effects from IBS symptoms are what cause us (IBS sufferers) all the pain, discomfort and suffering.

On a bigger perspective, it is estimated that IBS affects about 30% of the world’s population. It can range from mild and infrequent attacks, to more severe hospital care. This percentage is expected to increase with all the processed foods and increasingly unhealthy lifestyle among humans.

At present, IBS is diagnosed via test elimination and symptom guideline called “Rome III Diagnostic Criteria” (some of these guidelines defer) but generally, if you have suffered

“Stomach discomfort or abdominal pain 3 days in a month for the last 3 to 4 months and this is relieved by having bowel movements. There is also noticeable change in stool form and frequency”

Before one can conclude one has IBS, it is best to get an endoscopy and colonscopy, and other tests done especially the H-Pylorii test. Once these are eliminated, and the symptoms persist, then it is likely to be IBS.

In the IBS world, there are generally two classifications – IBS diarrhea (IBS-D) and IBS constipation (IBS-C). Sometimes one can suffer both, and it changes but predominantly a person will suffer on type.

Some other common symptoms are excessive burping, flatulence (usually with bad smell) and extensive bloating. This is common for both IBS-D or IBS-C.

I find that the most pressing issue with IBS sufferers is pain management. I use to control this without giving much thought to long term strategy. This can be defeating because we are just fixing a problem and attempting to learn to manage our IBS. We have to realize that IBS is not going to leave us anytime soon, so a long term perspective is needed.

Over the years, I started to look long term to manage IBS and here is what I have discovered. In order to do that one must look into these 6 strategies and develop plans, routines and knowledge:

• Relieve Pain. This has to be the first and most important. In the beginning, this must be the first thing to address. Knowing what to do and what to take which can provide immediate or near immediate pain relief is priority one.

• Promote Healing. Once pain is managed, we have to try to take care and promote the healing process. This can be in the form of foods we take and exercises we do.

• Remove Symptoms. Even with the best of us, IBS symptoms do flare up. It could be caused by the trigger food we have taken, which is usually the case or some routine that we did not follow. We must then know what to take or do to quickly to nip the symptoms before it becomes too much to handle.

• Stress Management. I think this is one of the main culprits for an IBS sufferer. In fact, stress is the major cause for most critical diseases. Anyway, we need to how to de-stress because having to deal with IBS is a very tiring and stressful period in itself. Thus, knowing how to calm down mentally and physically is very important to create a ‘clear head’ in dealing with IBS symptoms.

• Remove Toxins (detoxification) Toxins indirectly will aggravate IBS symptoms flare-ups. The more toxins we have in the body, the more severe the symptoms become. If we understand and know how to remove toxins through sweat, breath, urine and bowel movements, then we are in better position to reduce the effects of the symptoms.

• Habits. Finally, putting all the ‘best routine’ that works for you and then doing it everyday diligently requires the routine to become a daily habit. There will be several types of routines one have to develop for different circumstances.

To recap, the main idea I wanted to present here is the holistic strategy needed to finally manage IBS. Even though we recognize that IBS is incurable, we also know that with the right knowledge, one can manage the symptoms and its effects. By managing IBS, an IBS sufferer’s life can be as fulfilling as a non-IBS sufferer.



By: terence oth

About the Author:

Terence Oth has suffered from IBS for more than 6 years and took control of his life from IBS in the last 2 years through a holistic IBS treatment. He runs the IBS relief tips website at http://ibsrelieftips.blogspot.com where he shares his IBS natural and traditional remedies and experiences



Caffeinated Content

Next Page »