Treatments Prescribed for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Experts are still not entirely sure what causes irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but there are a variety of treatments available for people who are diagnosed with this medical condition. At this time, the primary goal of IBS treatment is to provide long-term relief against the symptoms of this disorder providing an improved quality of life for patients.

(If you have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, then you may qualify for a IBS clinical trial.)

Most patients can gain some level of control over their milder IBS symptoms through effective management of their stress levels and making certain adjustments to their diet and overall lifestyle. More specialized treatment strategies may be necessary for the chronic cases of irritable bowel syndrome. The following are all treatments that can be applied for IBS patients:

Fiber Supplements

These types of supplements are often recommended for people with this disorder. Coupled with plentiful fluids, fiber supplements can help relieve cases of chronic constipation. Common forms of fiber supplement include psyllium (Metamucil) and methylcellulose (Citrucel).

Anti-Diarrheal Medications

These types of medications are available over-the-counter and can be used to mitigate chronic cases of diarrhea induced by IBS. Patients are often administered loperamide (Imodium) for this disorder.

Antidepressant Medication

Some IBS patients have recurring issues with depression as a result of their underlying symptoms. Doctors are known to prescribe certain tricyclic antidepressants or even selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) for people with this condition. They can help people manage their depression, and they inhibit the neurons which control the intestines. So, these drugs can be administered at lower doses to IBS patients who aren’t dealing with depression. Side effects of these types of medications can include constipation and drowsiness.

Eliminate High-Gas Foods from Diet

Bloating and other forms of gas are regular disturbances for patients living with IBS. People who are having problems with gas may need to remove certain foods from their diet such as cabbage, carbonated drinks, and cauliflower.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are used to treat certain cases of IBS, although gastroenterologists are still unclear exactly how they combat this medical condition. Some patients may be experiencing symptoms as a result of excess bacteria buildup in the intestines. These are cases where antibiotics could be beneficial.

(Currently, clinical studies are looking at improving our understanding of the role antibiotics play within IBS patients.)

Anticholinergic Medications

Some symptoms could be exacerbated by the action of the autonomic nervous system. A specific form of medication (anticholinergics) actually work to stop these actions and can improve IBS symptoms. These can help relieve chronic cases of diarrhea but can exacerbate constipation.

If you’re prescribed course of treatment is not helping your irritable bowel syndrome, then you may want to consider going in for specialized counseling. These may help you gain better control over specific stressors that could be inhibiting your current therapy. There may not be a cure for IBS yet, but this condition can be properly managed over time.