IBS is a group of symptoms—including abdominal pain and changes in the pattern of bowel movements without any evidence of underlying damage. You may feel like your intestines are in knots.
What does Medscape say about treating IBS?
Well, here it goes… “Approach Considerations: Management of irritable bowel syndrome consists primarily of providing psychological support and recommending dietary measures. Pharmacologic treatment is adjunctive and should be directed at symptoms. Successful management relies on a strong patient-provider relationship. Reassure the patient that the absence of an organic pathology indicates a normal life expectancy. Emphasize the expected chronicity of symptoms with periodic exacerbations. Teach the patient to identify stressors and to use avoidance techniques.”
Treatment Options include: Learning to reduce stress can help improve IBS. With less stress, you may find you have less cramping and pain. Symptoms may include: Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include: Changes in bowel movement patterns. Bloating, diarrhea, constipation and excess gas. Pain the lower belly. You may also find some of these non-medical oriented remedies helpful in managing your symptoms.
Some options for managing stress includes:
- taking part in stress reduction and relaxation therapies such as meditation
- getting counseling and support
- taking part in regular exercise such as walking or yoga
- reducing stressful life situations as much as possible
- getting enough sleep
- talk therapy
- hypnotherapy
- mindfulness
- biofeedback
- dietary changes
- exercise
- meditation
- relaxation therapies
- massage
Of course, medical evaluations and treatments are a necessity. There are medicines: probiotics, antibiotics, antidepressants, antispasmodics, laxatives and other abdominal pain medications can help. I believe the mind and body work together to heal, so let’s work on getting the proper alignment. Pain is a signal to pay attention to distress that your body is experiencing. Don’t delay in getting checked out. Once you get proper care, you can get relief.
