IBS

Peppermint Helps With IBS and Gastric Pain
health news

Peppermint Soothes Gastric Pain and IBS, Study Says

In case you had any doubt about peppermint's ability to ease pain related to gastro issues, researchers from the University of Adelaide in Australia recently found that peppermint activates an "anti-pain" channel in the colon.
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peppermint In case you had any doubt about peppermint's ability to ease pain related to gastro issues, researchers from the University of Adelaide in Australia recently found that peppermint activates an "anti-pain" channel in the colon. This is great news for IBS sufferers who experience pain caused by inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, because peppermint may help lessen their symptoms.

Because of the menthol within peppermint, peppermint not only eases IBS pain, but many believe it can also help with nausea and vomiting and stress, and early studies indicate it may help control mild asthma because of its expectorant and decongestant abilities. It's important to note that out of all the claims surrounding peppermint, its effect on IBS is the only one that has a substantial amount of evidence backing it up. While peppermint may aid in nausea or headaches, research is still in its preliminary stages.

Medicinally, peppermint is available in many forms: tea, tinctures, capsules, creams, ointments, and essential oil. It is generally considered safe when used properly, but it's always a good idea to consult your doctor before beginning treatment.

Hypnotherapy Helps IBS
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Hypnotherapy For Tummy Troubles

Hypnotherapy has been used to help folks quit smoking and lose weight, and now the alternative therapy is gaining ground as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which causes abdominal pain, bloating, and sometimes diarrhea or constipation.
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Hypnotherapy has been used to help folks quit smoking and lose weight, and now the alternative therapy is gaining ground as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which causes abdominal pain, bloating, and sometimes diarrhea or constipation.

A prominent British gastroenterologist has found hynotherapy improved symptoms in nine out of 10 patients. After auditing the first 100 of his IBS patients that used hypnotherapy, the doctor found that in four in 10 cases, the symptoms disappeared entirely. This alternative treatment worked most successfully on young women with typical symptoms who had only been dealing with IBS for a short time. It is believed that hypnotherapy eases symptoms by relaxing the patients, which makes sense since stress is a contributing factor.

Information on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
healthy living

DrSugar on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

DrSugar is in the house!
by DrSugar

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's teaching us about digestive issues.

In last week’s column, I answered a great question from a reader who was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by her physician. I addressed her question regarding Candida infection of the gastrointestinal system but felt that a separate column on IBS was warranted, given its common prevalence and media attention. As many as one in five adult Americans have symptoms of IBS, making it one of the most common disorders diagnosed by doctors. It occurs more often in women than men; the onset of the symptoms occurs before the age of 35 in over half of people with IBS.

To learn more continue reading.

DrSugar Answers: Antidepressant, IBS, and Weight Gain?
IBS

DrSugar Answers: Antidepressant, IBS, and Weight Gain?


DrSugar is in the house and he's answering your health questions.
by DrSugar


DrSugar is in the house and he's answering your health questions.

Dear DrSugar,

I've recently been diagnosed with probable irritable bowel syndrome that is exacerbated by anxiety and depression. My doctor prescribed the antidepressant Citalopram to decrease my abdominal pain and stabilize my mood. I've read multiple reports about the correlation between antidepressant medication and weight gain. I was an overweight teenager with poor eating habits and have finally managed to lose a great deal of weight in the past year. I'd rather not pile it back on as a result of a pill. Is it true that Citalopram is likely to make me put on weight? Are there any other remedies that might help abdominal pain from IBS? Thank you.
— Concerned about Citalopram

This is a complicated issue and worthy of investigation, so to see what the doctor has to say on this matter, just read more

Another Reason to Exercise: Relieve IBS Symptoms
Constipation

Another Reason to Exercise: Relieve IBS Symptoms

It seems like almost anyone who's ever had stomach issues for more than a week has been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
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It seems like almost anyone who's ever had stomach issues for more than a week has been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. If you've got IBS then you know it's no fun, but it's also not an excuse to skip your exercise routine. In fact, Reuters recently reported on a new study that found that regular exercise can relieve constipation and feelings of bloating in folks with IBS. So, if you're stopped up, don't stop moving — it could help more than you think.

Source

DrSugar Answers: IBS Treatment With No Health Insurance?
healthy living

DrSugar Answers: IBS Treatment With No Health Insurance?

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.
by DrSugar

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear DrSugar,
I'm pretty positive I have Irritable Bowl Syndrome. Are there any things you can do to treat it without going to see a doctor? I don't have insurance and would like to avoid a costly office visit. Any advice you could give would be helpful.
Thanks,
– IBS Betty

To see what DrSugar has to say, read more

What's the Deal with: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
what is the deal with

What's the Deal with: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The Mayo Clinic reports that Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects one in ten Americans.
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The Mayo Clinic reports that Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects one in ten Americans. That's a lot of people! It predominantly affects women who experience their first signs of the syndrome in their early 20s. But what is IBS exactly?

IBS, also know as spastic colon, is considered a functional disorder meaning the normal function is disrupted and in this case it is (you guessed it) the bowels, even though the intestines appear fine. The intestines normally contract and relax in a coordinated rhythm, but with IBS, the contractions may be longer and stronger than normal, and thereby cause pain. This inability of the intestines to contract rhythmically interferes with digestion causing nausea, diarrhea and constipation not to mention abdominal pain.

It is not clear what causes IBS, but it doesn't trigger inflammation or other changes in the bowel, and doesn't increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Some studies do suggest that intolerance to certain foods may increase symptoms. The major culprits seem to be wheat, dairy, coffee, potatoes, corn and onions.

Lifestyle changes seem the best approach to managing the symptoms: eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and reducing stress. Increasing fiber intake and even taking fiber supplements can help.

To read more about IBS, check out the Mayo Clinic's article on the syndrome.