Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment

The specialists at Celebration Colorectal will recommend several options for medical treatment. IBS can respond well to non-surgical treatment strategies, from changes in your diet and reducing stress to new medications that may hold great promise.

Initially, your doctor may recommend that you gradually increase the fiber in your diet to reduce episodes of constipation. Because stress is believed to set off IBS, your doctor may also suggest that you eat more balanced meals, exercise regularly and make other lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking.

Traditionally, a range of medications has been used to treat the symptoms of irritable bowel disease. These include antispasmodics that can help slow the digestive tract’s processes, reducing the chance that spasms will occur. Antidiarrheal medications are used to treat diarrhea, including over the counter products and prescription medications. These are not recommended for long-term use, however. Finally, anti-depressants can be used in small doses to alleviate specific symptoms.

The IBS experts at Celebration Colorectal continue to explore leading edge treatments for the disease. Some of these include the use of tegaserod, which stimulates the digestive tract so it keeps moving, reducing the risk of constipation in women in the near term. Since the hospital is one of the leading research centers in the country, it is heavily involved in a wide range of clinical trials of new treatments, some of which may one day provide a cure for IBS.

If you are interested in learning more about IBS treatment options, please make an appointment today.