
	IBS Info
	Excessive Bloating
	Fibre
	Control
	Low Starch Diet
	Products
	Relief
	Natural Treatment
	Nausea
	Pepto Bismol
	Zoloft
	Eating
	Fat Malabsorption
	Headaches, Confusion, Weakness, Tired
	Apple Cider Vinegar
	Heartburn
	Chiropractics
	Grapefruit Seed Extract
	Is it a disease
	More Alternative Medicine
	Narrow Stool
	Bad smell
	Does whisky help
	Dos and don'ts
	Fibromyalgia
	Tomato
	Aloe vera
	Constipation
	Non Drug Remedy
	Probiotics
	St Johns Wart
	More...

Non Drug Remedy for IBS

There is no cure for IBS so any remedies will be aimed at alleviating the symptoms of IBS. If your symptoms are particularly severe then it may be that your doctor will prescribe drugs which can include laxatives, anti spasmodic medication, painkillers, anti-diarrhoeal drugs or even mild anti depressants. However, many people prefer to try a non drug approach to treatment. The problem is there is so much information out there it can be difficult to know where to start. The following list represents just a few of the options available.

Diet and Lifestyle

When someone is diagnosed with IBS one of the first things they should look at are diet and lifestyle. Eliminating trigger foods from the diet, increasing the amount of fibre in the diet, drinking more water, reducing the amount of stress they have to deal with and taking time to relax each day may even be enough in some people to keep their IBS under control.

Supplements and herbal remedies

There are many over the counter supplements and remedies available from pharmacies and health food stores. However, finding the right one is likely to be a case of trial and error. The types of herbs and supplements that have proven to be beneficial for IBS include the following:

Peppermint
Ginger
Aloe Vera
Chamomile
Fennel
Slippery Elm
Herbal teas

These are often beneficial for the digestive system in general and may help to ease abdominal spasms, bloating, indigestion and pain as well as contribute to the production of healthy bowel movements. Some of them will also help you to relax which in itself is beneficial as any kind of stress or anxiety can make your symptoms worse.

One study conducted by the University of East London showed that the food supplement IntestAidB was helpful. The trial involved 37 people with a diagnosis of IBS who were each required to keep a food diary for a month followed by 2 months taking either IntestAidB or a placebo.

The participants rated the severity of symptoms such as pain, diarrhoea, the level of urgency to perform a bowel movement, feeling that the bowels hadn’t emptied properly after performing a bowel movement, bloating, constipation and wind. A significant percentage of those who were taking the food supplement IntestAidB reported an overall improvement in their IBS symptoms.

Probiotics

Probiotics are proving to be helpful for many people with IBS. Although there isn’t a single identifiable cause of IBS and the exact mechanisms of what is going on is not clearly understood, many studies have indicated that an imbalance in the micro flora in the gut triggers IBS. Probiotics are the friendly bacteria that the gut needs in order to digest food so taking them on a daily basis may make a significant difference to your symptoms.

Other Therapies

A number of studies have shown that alternative therapies such as acupuncture, hypnotherapy and chiropractics can be beneficial for some people with IBS. Speak to your doctor or other trained professional for advice.