I have two friends that suffer with it.
It means we can't go out to resturants very often, as they get sick.
Out of deferrance to them, I don't eat icecreams or drink sodas or anything they might feel left out about, which is ok, I don't mind, But I'd rather they could fix it so we could all go out on a curry/chilli/chinese/pizza wine swilling, beer gutzing BLINDER occasionally.
Any thoughts on remedies? Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment:
The medical community has not yet determined the cause for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. A combination of treatments may help a sufferer cope with the symptoms; however given the diverse symptoms of IBS sufferers; diarrhea, constipation, pain, bloating, etc.., and it's chronic nature, none of these treatments at present will ultimately cure IBS.
IBS is a non-life threatening illness. It does not progress or increase your risk of developing Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Cancer. Treatment focuses on the relief of symptoms so you can live your life as normally as possible.
Based on your physician's diagnosis after the appropriate medical tests, treatment may be different for those suffering from mild, moderate or severe symptoms; however, they may be summarized as follows.
Mild: manage stress and make changes to your diet and lifestyle
Moderate: As per Mild + fiber supplements, over-the-counter (OTC), anticholinergic, or like, medications.
Severe: As per Moderate + tricyclic or SSRI antidepressants, or 5-HT3 or 5-HT4 medication.
Your physician may recommend one or more or none of these treatments. See your physician for all recommendations for treatment. It is very important to follow-up with your physician. Refer to the medication page for an overview of medications for IBS.
Treatments:
Role of stress and visceral hypersensitivity
Role of diet
Prevention
Self Care
Coping Skills
Complementary And Alternative Medicine
Specific Treatments Now and the Future:
Probiotics: Probiotics (good bacteria) which contain the strain bifidobacterium infantis 35624 have been shown to relieve abdominal pain, bloating, urgency, constipation or diarrhea. Align and VSL#3 are marketed over-the-counter (OTC) with this strain.
5-HT3 antagonist: Lotronex (alosetron), is used for the control of pain and diarrhea associated with IBS in women (IBS-D). It was removed from the market at the recommendation of the United States FDA in Nov. 2000 and re-introduced in June 2002.
5-HT4 antagonist: These medications help relieve the symptoms of constipation and pain associated with IBS and constipation (IBS-C), and chronic idiopathic constipation in women. Zelnorm/Zelmac (tegaserod) was approved by the FDA in the United States. Effective July 27, 2007 Zelnorm is available to patients in the U.S. qualifying under a restricted access program.
Chloride channel activator: These medications help relieve the symptoms of constipation and pain. Amitiza (lubiprostone) was approved by the FDA in the United States for chronic idiopathic constipation. Recent clinical studies show evidence also for the treatment of IBS with constipation (IBS-C).
The following medications may be available within the next few years:
Kappa-opioid agonist (fedotozine): A synthetic narcotic that resembles an opiate, this drug is designed to reduce intestinal pain.
Alpha-2-adrenergic agents: These drugs work to normalize bowel function and relieve pain. If you had this disorder you would understand the reason for not eating certain foods. When you have diarrhea so bad that you can't leave the house, or are constipated so bad that your insides are going to explode, maybe then you would understand why. IBS is not something that people like happening to them. You need to get more information on the subject and have some empathy for them.
Here is a site for you to learn about it from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irritable_b...
When I had it (though I can still have problems) it was because I was stressed. Any kind of upset would set my IBS into overdrive. So I know what it is like. I'm sure your friends wish that they too could go out on a chili cheese, wine swilling bender. But they will suffer badly and be laid up in the toilet for a few days, and be literally drained!!!
I think you should ask them to call you on their good days, and then eat ice cream and eat soda.........what their diet is, they have to live with. YOU can order the chili!!
I am on a bland diet or toilet is my sour pill.....so i know how hard it is for me socially.
**My friends and I have agreed, I call on a good healthy day, and if they are available, great, if not, i take myself out and do it on my own. *** keep calling your friends, and there are other things to do besides eating........
How about this for an outting........Let's go find you the places with the finest restrurants!! AND I'll bring the Gas-X and Imodium AD. ;) |
