Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition of the intestines and colon that results in bloating, gaseousness and discomfort. The causes of IBS are not fully understood, but may be related to poor diet as well as psychological stress and depression. As there is no cure for IBS, many people have turned to alternative therapies to find relief from IBS symptoms. A number of research studies suggest that supplementing with friendly bacteria known as probiotics can help people overcome IBS.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Like other types of muscle cramping, IBS occurs when intestinal muscles contract out of sync with one another. Unlike simple muscle cramps, however, IBS not only results in pain, but diarrhea, bloating and constipation, as well. The most common symptoms of IBS are alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea, accompanied with abdominal pain. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are specific types of IBS that also present with these symptoms. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, about 10 to 20 percent of the population at any given time will have IBS. Women make up the majority of people with IBS.
Common Treatments
IBS is often difficult to treat because its causes are not understood. The UMMC explains that up to 60 percent of IBS patients also have symptoms of depression and that antidepressant regimens can prove effective in reducing IBS. Food allergies can also bring on IBS. Limiting meat and dairy as well as wheat and soy in the diet has also helped some people with IBS. Drug therapies for IBS often prove harsh and ineffective and are only used when other measures fail. Drugs used to treat IBS include lubiprostone and alosetron, which can increase the passage of stool through the intestines. Unfortunately, these drugs can have dangerous side effects and are not approved for use in men, notes the UMMC. Due to the limited conventional treatment options for IBS, Johns Hopkins University explains that some IBS patients are turning to more alternative therapies such as hypnosis or supplementation with live, healthy bacteria known as probiotics.
Probiotics
Probiotics include any type of microorganism such as strains of bacteria and yeast that can have positive effects on health. The most common probiotics are bacteria found in yogurt. Many specific and potentially more potent strains of probiotics are also available as either supplements or drinks at grocery and health food stores. According to USProbiotics.org, probiotics primarily work by adjusting the balance of bacteria in the gut. Many digestive problems such as IBS or inflammatory bowel disease result from an overgrowth of or intolerance to unhealthy bacteria in the gut, states USProbiotics.org. By repopulating your gut with healthy probiotic bacteria, it is possible to relieve some symptoms of diarrhea and constipation. In addition to benefiting gastrointestinal function, probiotics may also promote oral, vaginal, immune system and skin health.
Probiotics and IBS
Probiotics may offer relief from some of the symptoms of IBS according to a report by "Science Daily." As explained by "Science Daily", a systematic review of 19 clinical studies by Dr. Paul Moayyedi at the Mayo Clinic confirms that probiotics are effective in treating IBS. Another study described by "Science Daily" describes research at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, which found that a multi-strain probiotic reduced symptoms of diarrhea in 84 IBS patients. While it appears that different combinations of probiotics can be effective in treating some symptoms of IBS, more research is needed to determine exactly which combination of probiotics is best for IBS. Probiotics can also be safe and effective in treating children with IBS, according to "Pediatric Views," a publication from the Children's Hospital Boston. If you are considering the use of probiotics for IBS or other intestinal complications, talk to your doctor to learn which probiotics may be best for your condition.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Irritable Bowel Syndrome: December 2009
- USProbiotics.org; Probiotics Basics; Mary Ellen Sanders, Ph.D.
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine: "Digestive Health": Probiotics and Hypnosis: Two Promising Complementary Therapies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: June 2009
- "Science Daily": How Effective Are Probiotics In Irritable Bowel Syndrome?: October 2008
- "Pediatric Views"; Understanding Pros and Cons of Probiotics; Athos Bousvaros, MD, MPH; February 2007
