- 1. Treatment with diet
- 2. Drug treatment
- 3. Psychotherapy
- 4. Alternative treatment options
- Signs of improvement
- Signs of worsening
The treatment for irritable bowel syndrome is done with the combination of drugs, changes in diet and decreased stress levels, which are guided by the gastroenterologist to relieve the affected person's symptoms.
Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by a change in bowel function, which causes symptoms such as abdominal pain or swelling, diarrhea, constipation and the presence of mucus in the stool. Check out what it is and how to know if you have this syndrome.
There is no single formula to treat this syndrome, so the best form of treatment is guided by the doctor depending on the types and intensity of symptoms that exist in each person:
1. Treatment with diet
Normally, treatment for irritable bowel syndrome is started naturally, that is, by making changes to your diet such as:
- Make regular meals at certain times, such as every 3 hours, for example; Avoid alcoholic drinks or stimulating drinks, such as coffee and energy drinks; Avoid foods with a lot of fat or sugar, such as butter, cheese, sausages, cakes or cookies; Drink at least 2 liters of water per day; Prefer to eat white meat and vegetables; Give preference to cooked, grilled or braised foods; Adopt a FODMAP diet, which consists of removing foods that are poorly absorbed and undergo fermentation by the intestinal flora, causing worsening of irritable bowel symptoms such as carrots, beets, apples, mangoes, pasta and honey. Learn how to do the FODMAP diet.
In addition, some patients may also have to exclude other foods such as milk and dairy products from their diet if there is any type of intolerance and the symptoms worsen or arise after ingestion.
Watch a video from our nutritionist explaining what to eat and what to avoid in the diet for irritable bowel syndrome:
2. Drug treatment
Medicines to treat irritable bowel syndrome are advised mainly in periods of worsening symptoms, as a way to relieve them. Thus, depending on the symptoms presented, the doctor may prescribe:
- Anti-spasmodic remedies, such as hyoscine or scopolamine, to reduce abdominal pain and discomfort, especially after eating; Antidiarrheal remedies, such as Loperamide, to prevent or relieve the appearance of diarrhea; Laxatives, such as Lactulose or magnesium sulfate, in cases of constipation to stimulate the functioning of the intestine; Antidepressants or anxiolytics, such as Duloxetine or Amitriptyline, may be indicated if the symptoms of the syndrome are associated with depression or anxiety
Some patients may still have symptoms due to the excessive development of bacteria in the intestine, and so the doctor may try to use antibiotics, such as Rifaximin, for example, for a short time to try to reduce the amount of bacteria inside the intestine, relieving the symptoms. symptoms.
Probiotics can also help regulate the intestinal flora, and, in addition, several other drugs have also been tested and developed to relieve symptoms and fight this disorder.
3. Psychotherapy
Psychological symptoms are present in most patients with irritable bowel syndrome, so psychological therapy is an important form of treatment.
It can be done in the traditional form of psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, in which the psychologist helps to identify the psychological issues that influence the onset of symptoms, and encourages the patient to adapt the body's response.
4. Alternative treatment options
In addition to the drugs recommended by the doctor and changes in the diet, some alternative therapies can help complete the treatment, mainly as a way to reduce stress, which is a major trigger of the symptoms of the disease.
These include meditation, relaxation, reflexology and acupuncture therapies. In addition, the use of some medicinal herbs, such as peppermint, help to reduce abdominal cramps due to their natural antispasmodic power. However, the use of these therapies should not replace the doctor's guidance.
See also some suggestions for home remedies to relieve symptoms.
Signs of improvement
The signs of improvement in irritable bowel syndrome are the restoration of intestinal transit and the reduction of abdominal discomfort and pain after eating, for example.
Signs of worsening
The signs of worsening irritable bowel syndrome are more frequent when treatment is not done properly, when there are worsening periods of stress or foods that aggravate symptoms are not avoided, producing diarrhea, constipation, excessive tiredness or dehydration, for example.
