Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Updated recommendations from the American College of Gastroenterology
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects 20 percent of U.S. adults. Although it doesn’t actually harm the intestines, it can wreak havoc on the sufferer with any combination of abdominal bloating, cramping, diarrhea and constipation. In a recent post I reported a study showing that the old standby treatments of fiber, peppermint oil and antispasmotics still work for most people.
The American College of Gastroenterologists has released updated treatment recommendations, as reported by the University of Michigan. New recommendations of note are:
- Patients who have diarrhea, even if mixed with constipation, should be screened for celiac disease (an intestinal intolerance of gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley).
- Antidepressants, given at bedtime in low doses, can reduce bloating and discomfort. This effect works independently of the antidepressant or anti-anxiety effect.
- The probiotic supplement Bifidobacterium infantis has been helpful in IBS with diarrhea.
- There are several prescription medications available for subsets of patients depending on the severity and type of symptoms.
Anyone with IBS probably has already discovered foods that can make the symptoms worse. These can include gas-producing food, carbonated drinks, milk (due to lactose sugar intolerance), and other sugars such as fructose and sorbitol.
Has anyone found these things helpful, harmful? Other tips?
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Tags: IBS, recommendations
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:46 am
Interesting about the antidepressants. We have IBS in my family. Taking a probiotic every other day seems to help a lot - though now I’ll have to check to see if it has that specific strain of bacteria in it. Passing this article along…
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Thanks Cathy,
They did mention that specific strain.
Thanks for passing it on.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
So nice to know that the GI docs will be testing more for celiac disease. I think it is more common than people (doctors) think. Most people don’t realize wheat/gluten is causing so many GI symptoms. Instead they spend an average of 11 years going from doctor to doctor with vague GI symptoms (a statistic I recently heard)before they are finally diagnosed with celiac disease.
I think wheat and dairy can be big contributors to IBS and people can notice dramatic and quick improvements once they eliminate these foods.
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Thanks Jolene, and it is a simple blood test.