Are you sick and tired of being controlled by your body functions?  Are you tired of being embarrassed to talk about it?  Well, if you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), then you’re not alone.  That’s the thing to know about IBS treatment; you’re NOT alone.  Some sources say that as many as 15% of the population suffers from IBS, and all of them search for symptom relief; whether through an actual physician or home remedy.

IBS Treatment: What is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disease that affects the gastrointestinal system with multiple symptoms.  There is no known cause, and no curative IBS treatment, but several theories are being investigated.

• Single Celled Organisms: Blastocysts or Dientomeba Fragilis
• Malfunction of the Brain-Gut Axis (neural pathways between the brain and gastrointestinal tract)
• A Yet Undiscovered Pathogen (germ)

All of the above list is being looked at as possible causes, although there is no definitive evidence to support one hypothesis over the other.

The following video although meant to be humorous, is a good description of IBS and what those who suffer from this disease go through.  There is some strong language, viewer discretion is advised.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers have many painful and intrusive side effects, and it is through these symptoms that the illness is diagnosed.

• “Stomach” Pain and Discomfort
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Alternating Diarrhea and Constipation
• Weight and Hair Loss
• Stress

Many people have at one point or another in life experienced one or all of these symptoms.  That doesn’t mean you have IBS.  On the contrary, IBS treatment is often given for non-IBS gastrointestinal problems.

• Common Diarrhea or Constipation
• Coeliac Disease
• Bile Acid Malabsorption
• Overuse of Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax)

All of these illnesses can cause the same side effects as IBS, yet they are not.  The treatments for these other gastric ailments are very different from IBS treatment.   So how does one know if they have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and need true IBS treatment?

IBS Treatment: Diagnosis

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disease that is diagnosed through exclusion.  What does that mean?  Well, basically they test you for every intestinal illness under the sun and if that doesn’t pan out, they ask you more qualifying questions.  If you meet the specific criteria, then you are diagnosed and can begin your IBS treatment.  Doctors will:

• Test Your Feces for Blood
• Run Multiple Blood Tests
• Take an Ultrasound of Your Abdomen
• Possible Endoscopy and/or Colonoscopy with Biopsies
• Other Chemical Tests

If the tests show no signs of the diseases they are designed to test for, then doctors will move on to other diagnostic tools.

Rome III Process Criteria

The Rome III Process is an algorithm (series of steps towards a solution); basically a list of questions that by answering, you will either place yourself in the IBS category, or not.

1. Do your symptoms subside after you defecate (poop?)
2. Did the onset of the symptoms start with a change in how often you defecate? More or less often?
3. Did the onset of the symptoms start with a change in the form (appearance) of your defecations?
4. Has the number of times you defecate gone to more than 3 times a day, or less than 3 times a week?
5. Has the appearance and form of your feces changed? (lumpy/hard or watery/soft)
6. Has the way it feels to pass your feces changed? (strained, urgent, left feeling unfinished)
7. Have you passed any mucus?
8. Do you feel bloated a lot, or is your belly distended (bulging)?

These are the basic questions that will lead to a positive diagnosis of IBS, and need for IBS treatment.

IBS Treatment: The Facts

Just like a cause, there is no known cure for IBS, but the symptoms are definitely treatable.  Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a chronic (long term) illness, and without a cure, you are left with the only option of controlling it as best you can.  Many IBSers lead relatively normal productive lives with proper prevention and treatment.

–Diet – Many physicians and patients feel that diet is the best IBS treatment, albeit only placating the disease.  One of the most used IBS diets is the Low FODMAP diet.  This diet restricts the amount of foods that exacerbate IBS symptoms.

–Medications – This is an area of treatment that is much debated.

• Laxatives
• Antispasmodics
• Neurotropics
• Musculotropics
• Antidepressants (specifically Serotonin)

All these classifications of medicine have been used to treat and manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome with limited success.

–Probiotics – Many IBS sufferers take Probiotic Supplements.  These are, simply put, massive amounts of “good” bacteria that line your stomach and fight off the “bad” bacteria that can cause the horrific symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

–Psychiatric Treatment – This disease is so debilitating that many sufferers become depressed and withdrawn from life.  It is imperative to seek help for this aspect of IBS, in the form of physician’s care and support group meetings.  You can call your local Health Department or Family Services Department to find the closest doctors and groups specializing in IBS treatment.  Remember, You Are Not Alone!

IBS Treatment: Final Thoughts

IBS treatment is available; that’s the most important part of this.  Whether definitive in diagnosis or cause is irrelevant.  What matters is that you’re not alone, and there are others out there who know what you’re going through.  Medical and mental support, these two aspects are paramount in seeking IBS treatment.

Which is not a medication used to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

a. Neurotropics
b. Laxatives
c. Non-poop Pills
d. Antispasmodics

One of the common misconceptions of IBS sufferers is:

a. I am alone in having IBS
b. IBS only happens to women
c. You can cure IBS by singing while you go to the bathroom
d. IBS stands for I Be Sittin’

Probiotics are:

a. Antibiotics made by professionals
b. Seaweed based milkshakes
c. A new NBA team
d. Good Bacteria

Answers at the bottom of the page!

Eating for IBS

In this excellent recipe book, specifically designed for IBS treatment, Heather Van Vorous has compiled 175 recipes for an IBS diet.  Vorous subscribes to the idea that the days of old are gone for the IBSers.  Gone are the boring, only eat at home, high fiber diets, and here are the exciting alternative recipes that allow for food enjoyment again.

Thoughts

People with IBS suffer enough discomfort already, let alone having to eat food that has no taste or spice.  This recipe book can add some vitality to the dietary life of the person seeking IBS treatment.  With this inventive and original recipe book by Vorous, you can enjoy home cooked meals, deserts, and party foods.  With the author’s help, the IBSer can get back a previously absent part of their life!

TuZen Probiotic- The Natural Solution for IBS

TuZen is a lactobacilli bacterium that lines the walls of the stomach and intestines, and prevents harmful bacteria from irritating the gastrointestinal system.  This greatly reduces the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).  TuZen is an extensively studied probiotic supplement, and has been found beneficial to IBS sufferers.

Thoughts

Sufferers of IBS often experience life altering affects from the illness.  The pain and discomfort are only compounded by the constant stress of this disease.  Not knowing when or where it might strike can be limiting in your lifestyle.  Any product that helps reduce, eliminate, or control the dire symptoms of IBS should be a welcome addition to your arsenal of IBS defenses.

Review: Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Secrets

This handy and useful eBook is chalk full of information about Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  It covers a wide range of topics, and provides hints on how to deal with some of the stickier issues relating to IBS.  It covers many of the possible causes and what might be contributing to your symptoms.  It also gives many hints at how to better manage your symptoms.

Thoughts

No one said IBS was going to be an easy fix; it isn’t.  There are however things you can do to help yourself, and what Alison Wyndham has done is collect a multitude of those helpful hints and remedies in one place.  With practical and handy guides on diet, medications, and staying mentally tough, this eBook “hits the spot” when it comes to dealing with IBS.

Answers 1) c, 2) a, 3) d

In This Series:

Is There a Good Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet? What is an IBS Diet? Are There Any Good IBS Diet Plans? Irritable Bowel Syndrome Foods to Avoid with IBS