Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal disorder. It affects the large intestine causing cramps, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and constipation. Regardless of how serious IBS is, it can never prove to be fatal.

There is no test to diagnose IBS definitively. To determine whether a patient has IBS, a doctor rules out all other possibilities after which two diagnostic criteria are used to confirm the presence of IBS. They are Rome criteria and manning criteria. A colonoscopy may also be recommended.

Treatment

All patients can receive successful treatments. However, the methods for treating irritable bowel syndrome vary from one patient to the other. Many things can trigger the syndrome. It is best to work out what isn’t good for a particular patient and to avoid those things.

Mild complications can be eliminated by making changes in the patient’s lifestyle and diet like:

• Avoiding IBS-triggering foods
• Eating food with high fiber content
• Exercising regularly
• Correcting your sleep cycle
• Drinking plenty of water
• Avoiding cigarettes
• Reducing the intake of cheese and milk
• Reducing stress by relaxation, yoga or meditation

Foods to avoid

• High-gas food: Alcohol, soda, sprouts, caffeine, etc.
• Gluten: wheat, barley, rye, etc.
• FODMAPs: Food rich in fructose, lactose, etc.

Medication:

Medicines can help in treating irritable bowel syndrome. Some of the types are:

• Bulking agents: Some agents such as wheat bran and psyllium can slow down the movement of food which helps in reducing the symptoms.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics such as Rifaximin alter the amount of bacterial activity that occurs in a patient’s intestines. A two-week dosage can help improve symptoms for up to six months. If it recurs, the pills can be taken again.

Depending on the intensity of the disease and what it is accompanied by, different methods and drugs are administered for treating irritable bowel syndrome.

Abdominal pain and bloating
Probiotics (bacteria and yeast) improve digestion. Antispasmodics help with controlling the colon muscle spasms. However, these have side effects such as drowsiness and constipation which makes them a bad choice. Antidepressants can help reduce abdominal pain and bloating.

Constipation
Plecanatide is an excellent choice to treat IBS accompanied by constipation as it increases gastrointestinal fluid and encourages normal bowel movements. They also do not cause side effects that usually accompany constipation medication. Polyethylene glycol is a laxative which softens the stools by retaining water in them. Linaclotide helps to relieve constipation by regulating and increasing bowel movements. It is generally taken 30 minutes before breakfast on an empty stomach. It is not recommended for children under 17 years of age. However, it has the side effect of diarrhea.

Lubiprostone is mostly prescribed for women if other methods haven’t worked. It has several side effects such as nausea, fainting, swelling of the arms and legs, breathing problems, and stomach pain.

Diarrhea
Loperamide reduces the bowel movements by slowing it down which results in less watery stools.

Alosetron can reduce diarrhea and pain in the stomach but is accompanied by severe side effects. Therefore, it is only to be prescribed as a last resort. Eluxadoline is administered to help reduce bowel contractions and cramps in the stomach. Bile acid sequestrants reduce cholesterol. They are taken orally. They bind bile acids and reduce the production of stools. Consult your doctor before taking any of these medications.