Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Overview

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS, is a common condition characterized by Intestinal Cramps (abdominal pain) with constipation and/or diarrhea continuing for years without any other general deterioration in health. IBS is not a detectable structural disease but the symptoms are caused by abnormal muscular contractions in the Colon.  Irritable Bowel Syndrome is sometimes regarded as a form of Colitis, although its symptoms do not include inflammation of the colon.

Prevalence  ^[1]

 Over 25 million people in U.S suffer from IBS, a gastrointestinal condition within the large intestine, which is responsible for   causing abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, bloating, cramping and constipation.

 Irritable Bowel Syndrome generally manifests during adulthood:

 Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms begin before the age of 35 in 50% of patients.

 40% of Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients are aged 35 to 50.

 Irritable Bowel Syndrome is more prevalent in women than in men.  It affects 14% to 24% of women and 5% to 19% of men.

 Irritable Bowel Syndrome is responsible for approximately 50% of all gastrointestinal complaints and is responsible for 20% to 50% of referrals to gastroenterology clinics.

Amino Acids

 Glutamine may help to repair damage to the Intestines in Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients.  ^[2]

Carbohydrates

 Acemannan may reduce the Inflammation of the Digestive Tract associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  ^[3]

 Guar Gum may alleviate Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  ^[4]

 Methylcellulose may alleviate the Constipation and/or Diarrhea associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. 

 Psyllium may alleviate the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  ^[5] 

Hormones

 Melatonin may help to prevent and treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  ^[6]

Lipids

 Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO) may alleviate the Inflammation associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. 

Microorganisms

 Bacteria - Beneficial (probiotics) may alleviate some of the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (especially Instestinal Cramps (abdominal pain), Constipation and Flatulence):  ^[7]

 Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients have lower duodenal and fecal Bifidobacteria levels:  ^[8]

 Bifidobacteria bifidus may reduce the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  ^[9]

 Bifidobacteria breve may alleviate the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  ^[10]

 Bifidobacteria infantis may alleviate the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  ^[11]

 Lactobacillus acidophilus may alleviate some of the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  ^[12]

 Lactobacillus casei (Shirota strain) may alleviate Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  ^[13]

 Lactobacillus paracasei may alleviate Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  ^[14]

 Lactobacillus plantarum may alleviate some of the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (especially Instestinal Cramps (abdominal pain), Constipation and Flatulence).  ^[15]

 Lactobacillus rhamnosus may alleviate Intestinal Cramps in Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients.  ^[16]

 Propionibacterium freudenreichii may alleviate the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  ^[17]

 Streptococcus faecium may alleviate Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  ^[18]

 Antispasmodics (Anticholinergics) are sometimes prescribed for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndome.  They inhibit intestinal Smooth Muscle depolarization at the Muscarinic Receptor.  Drugs from this class include:

 Iodoquinol may be useful for the treatment of some cases of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (where Irritable Bowel Syndrome is caused by Blastocystis hominis or Dientamoeba fragilis infection):  ^[19]

 The effectiveness of Iodoquinol for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome may be increased when it is used in combination with Doxycycline (in adults) or Metronidazole (in children).