New IBS guidelines should include soluble fiber, antispasmodics and peppermint oil
November 14, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
If you don’t have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it may be difficult to imagine how incredibly painful the stomach cramps and diarrhea can be. The wave of cramps can make you double up and pray for them to stop. And I know that after a bout and after the diarrhea and the cramps have settled down, I feel as if my blood pressure dropped considerably, leaving me weak and tired.
Most people with IBS have tried just about everything under the sun to stop the cramping, changing diets, eliminating foods, adding other foods, you name it – it’s likely been tried. And, unfortunately, there isn’t much on the horizon in terms of treatment with medications.
Researchers are still working on IBS though, as it affects so many people. Most recently released information, published on bmj.com (British Medical Journal) does show that fiber, antispasmodics (medication that stops the spasms) and peppermint oil can all help IBS symptoms. So much so that the researchers are calling for these three to be first-line treatments, treatments that are tried first before anything else.
I don’t know about you, but I’m going out to find peppermint oil today!
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Tags: chronic pain blog, pain blog, abdominal pain, abdominal cramping, IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, peppermint oil, antispasmodics
I already knew that soluble fiber helped me. Peppermint oil – I wonder if I can even get that here (Sri Lanka)? Anti-spasmodics – makes me wonder why no doctor has ever brought those up? How much of a difference do they make, really?
Sometimes I feel like you’re writing this these posts just for me. My physician and gastro doc can’t agree whether I have IBS or IBD. Was diagnosed with Crohn’s after a DNA test, but I still have daily IBS symptoms. I have found that fiber really does help…but I have to take it more than once a day. Also, I have a prescription for anti-spasm pills and yes, they do work! You only take them as needed. Today I bought a pack of really expensive probiotics that I’m going to try…we’ll see how that goes.
Hi, if you go to http://www.helpforibs.com there’s lots of good info on peppermint oil and fiber and IBS-friendly recipes. (This isn’t my website by the way).
I have struggled with IBS for many years. Something that has helped me immensely – that I have been taking since May of this year – is Digestive Enzymes, The brand I take is called Digest Gold and it also contains probiotics.
A naturopath I saw then thought I had a milk protein allergy and vitamin deficiencies but did not test to confirm either.
I am able to eat foods I previously had to really cut back on, or avoid all together, without worrying about an attack. Dairy of course was a very big trigger. I still have to watch how much dairy I had but I am much, much better than I was – I had IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant). I also feel better so I’m hoping my vitamin deficiencies have sorted themselves.
I know what you mean Marijke about feeling weak and tired after an attack – I used to say it felt like being run over by a truck.
oops forgot to mention re peppermint oil – apparently one is to look for enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules so it dissolves in the bowel, rather than the stomach. Peppermint oil did nothing for me personally except make things smell minty fresh if you know what I mean.
peppermint tea is often recommended as well although caution should be used if one has GERD as well as IBS as peppermint will upset your stomach.
Peppermint tea makes me more nauseous if things are already acting up.
I drink kefir for probiotics. Kefir is a better source of friendly bacteria and yeasts with 30+ strains in the homemade version, plus it’s far cheaper to make yer own. And probiotic capsules are not, to my knowledge, available here (Sri Lanka). And yes, probiotics have helped me tremendously as well.
I’ll see what I can find out about anti-spasmodics. Thanks!
Please tell me i think i may have ibs and it is making me feel so sick. I am seeing a gastroenterologist, On wednesday. What is the signs, i get cramps sometimes i feel if i am going to through up the cramps last for 10 mins sometimes longer. I would be greatfull for some advise.
Des From SOUTH AFRICA DURBAN.