Photo Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz / istockphoto.com
Make Use of Medication
Although medication doesn’t work for everybody, it can be worth a try when other management strategies aren’t bringing enough relief. The most common classes of drugs to use for IBS are antispasmodics, antidepressants and antidiarrheal medications.
An antispasmodic like hyoscine can relax the smooth muscle of your colon, which should ease cramping and fight off spasms. Antidepressants are most commonly used to help with the abdominal pain with IBS, but only about 25 percent of patients report improvement.
Antidiarrheal drugs can be important tools when diarrhea is so bad that your health is in jeopardy, but since they can bring rather significant side effects, they should only be taken under close supervision.
Looking for ways to relieve irritable bowel syndrome symptoms? Here are eight irritable bowel syndrome relief options that may help.