Irritable Bowel Syndrome Helped by Avoiding Food Allergies and by Taking Probiotic Bacteria

            Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder which involves digestive pain and discomfort, bloating, gas, bloody stools, diarrhea and constipation.  Many irritable bowel syndrome patients suffer both diarrhea and constipation at various times.  Options for drug treatment of irritable bowel are rather limited.  For diarrhea- drugs like loperamide (Imodium), Cholysytramine (Questran) and aloesetron (Lotronex) may be helpful.  For constipation, drugs like tegasarod (Zelnorm), donnapine and librax may be helpful.

Diet may play a role in treating irritable bowel syndrome. It is important to get at least 8 glasses of liquid a day. A moderate amount of fiber in the diet is important as too little fiber can lead to constipation and very heavy amounts of fiber can lead to bloating and gas.

It is also important to avoid foods in which patients are allergic or intolerant to. Many irritable bowel patients are allergic to gluten- a protein found in wheat, rye, triticale and barley.  Gluten allergy is also known as celiac disease.  Many gluten allergic patients with irritable bowel syndrome improve greatly after eliminating wheat and other gluten containing products in their diet.  About 10% of US adults have difficulties in digesting lactose- a sugar found in milk.  Many irritable bowel patients with lactose intolerances improve greatly after either eliminating milk from their diet and/or taking supplements of lactase (the enzyme which digests lactose).

            Use of probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in supplements and yogurt may also help relieve irritable bowel symptoms. Research published in the September 2008 Alimentary Pharmacological Therapy gave 52 irritable bowel patients either a supplement containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis bacteria or placebo for 8 weeks.  Patients receiving the probiotic bacteria supplement has significantly less abdominal pain and bloating and significantly more regular (less constipation and diarrhea) bowel movements as compared to patients receiving placebo.

            Overgrowth by Candida and other yeasts in the intestines may also play a role in irritable bowel syndrome.  Some, but not all, studies have reported that use of a low sugar diet and anti-mold medications like Nizoral and Nystatin can improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

            Persons with severe or prolonged symptoms of irritable bowel should consult with a physician to rule out other health conditions which may be causing irritable bowel syndromes- such as Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitus, Diverticulitis or some forms of cancer.