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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)Treatment

To see Dr. Wangen's website devoted to Irritable Bowel Syndrome go to www.IBSTreatmentCenter.com.

Proper treatment for IBS centers on the proper diagnosis of the cause of IBS. Once the cause of the problem is correctly diagnosed, IBS is readily treatable and generally curable.

However, patients with a final diagnosis of IBS are offered little help and are only offered drugs that attempt to relieve the symptoms of IBS. This is sad and extremely unfortunate, as a majority of cases of IBS are treatable once properly diagnosed.

Irritable Bowel Drugs

All drugs used in the treatment of IBS are focused only on relieving the symptoms of IBS, not on treating the cause.

Antispasmodics are prescribed for abdominal cramps, opiate-like antidiarrheal agents and cholestyramine are prescribed for diarrhea, and laxative are prescribed for constipation.

However, what may be useful for one symptom may make another worse. For example, loperamide may relieve diarrhea at the cost of worsening abdominal pain and bloating. Constipation may be relieved by dietary fiber or bulk laxatives, but patients frequently experience an increase in bloating and abdominal pain that makes the treatment unacceptable. Abdominal pain may be dulled temporarily by antispasmodics, but these drugs can cause constipation, and the pain may return with increased intensity.

Many patients with IBS are intolerant do drugs of any sort. Antidepressants may be effective by relieving underlying emotional tension expressed in mental and digestive symptoms.

Drugs Used to Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

Antispasmodics

• Dicyclomine hydrochloride
• Hyoscyamine butylbromide
• Mebeverine hydrochloride
• Alverine citrate
• Peppermint oil.

• Loperamide hydrochloride
• Diphenoxylate hydrochloride
• Cholestyramine.

• Methylcellulose
• Isphagula husk.

• Imipramine hydrochloride
• Amitryptyline hydrochloride
• Fluoxetine hydrochloride
• Paroxetine hydrochloride.

Click on the links below for more information. Information on Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms How Irritable Bowel Develops Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS Diet