Prevention Australia – June – July 2017

MEDICATION
IBS can be quite painful (as
well as being embarrassing), so
medicine may be needed when
symptoms appear. This may
include pain-relievers, anti-
diarrhoeal or constipation
treatments and antispasmodic
medication to ease cramping.
Antidepressants may be an
option as they can help calm
overactive nerves and ease
pain, but their use does not
necessarily mean that IBS
is caused by depression.

Natural

approaches

PROBIOTICS

Populating the gut with

probiotics can help keep

bad bacteria in check.

Preliminary studies show

probiotics significantly

improved symptoms in

people with all types of

IBS. Some yoghurts and

dairy drinks contain some

forms of probiotics, and these

may help ease symptoms. You

can also buy over-the-counter

probiotic supplements.

PEPPERMINT OIL
Menthol and methyl salicylate, the
main ingredients of peppermint,
have antispasmodic efects and so
can help calm the digestive tract.
Use enteric-coated capsules with a

covering that keeps the oil from

being released in the stomach,

where it can trigger heartburn.

Surprising solutions

EMOTIONAL HEALING

Stress has long been thought to

make IBS symptoms worse, so

practices such as yoga and

meditation, as well as walking can

be helpful. Though experts aren’t

sure how stress and IBS connect,

they say that when we’re stressed,

our bodies are in a chronic state of

alertness which may alter nerve

signalling between the brain and

bowels so we register pain more

intensely, or trigger hormone

changes that afect the gut.

ANTIHISTAMINES

Researchers have found some IBS

patients who experience diarrhoea

have increased numbers of

histamine-producing intestinal

mast cells. Histamine, a compound

responsible for allergic reactions,

can also sensitise a pain receptor in

the gut. A Belgian study found that

patients who took an antihistamine

for 12 weeks had fewer symptoms

than those in a control group.

NEW MEDICAL THERAPIES

Researchers are working on two

potential options: prosecretory

agents, which increase movement

through the large bowel, and may

help IBS suferers whose main issue

is constipation; and bile acid

modulators which studies suggest

will help those with diarrhoea.

There are no medications that ‘cure’ IBS, just relieve

symptoms. Some promising treatments which targeted

the brain’s pain pathways have been found to have side

effects and are not licensed in Australia. Meantime, if you

think you have IBS, it’s best to see a doctor who can rule

out other possible causes of altered bowel habits.

Expert

tip

JUNE/JULY 2017 PREVENTION 25

Health