Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome most commonly affects people between the ages of 20 and 30 and is twice as common in women as in men. Stress and food ingestion are often the main triggers of IBS, but a change in diet or an infection can precipitate an episode. The syndrome is not the same as Ulcerative Colitis. Colitis is an inflammation of the colon, whereas in IBS, the colon is not inflamed.

Treatments for the symptoms of IBS: Peppermint oil found in Colpermin or Mintec and antispasmodic medication relieve abdominal pain. Anti-diarrhoea medication such as Imodium will stop diarrhoea. If constipation is a problem then increasing fluid, fibre, activity, as well as taking a gentle laxative may be recommended. Antispasmodic medicines such as alverine citrate found in Spasmonal, and mebeverine found in Colofac are used to slow the action of the digestive tract and reduce the chance of spasms. Hyosine found in Buscopan alleviates the colicky pain of this smooth muscle spasm, hyoscine is non-sedative but may occasionally cause dry mouth, blurred vision or palpitations. It should not be used by patients with glaucoma. The addition of fibre to the diet is another common treatment for IBS with products such as Isogel or Fybogel Mebeverine. This theoretically expands the inside of the digestive tract, reducing the chance it will spasm as it transmits and digests food. Fibre also promotes regular bowel movements, which helps reduce constipation. Fibre should be added gradually, because it may initially worsen bloating and gassiness.

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