Irritable bowel syndrome, commonly referred to as IBS, is a disorder of the gastrointestinal system that results in pain and cramping in the stomach and intestines. Diagnosis often requires ruling out other similar disorders, including celiac disease, Crohn's disease and infection. Treatment for the symptoms of IBS may include anti-spasmodic medication, fiber and herbs such as peppermint. Peppermint oil has been found to act as a muscle relaxant and relieve pain from the cramps associated with IBS.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder in which individuals experience pain and cramps in the abdomen and intestines as well as changes in bowel movements. There are several potential causes for the disorder. Sensitivity in the intestinal muscles to movement may cause the pain and spasms; however, the intestinal structure is completely intact. The development of the disorder following an infection is possible as well. In addition, persons with IBS may have an oversensitive autonomic nervous system, which reacts to stress, causing the intestines to contract and cause pain. IBS tends to impact women in their adolescent or early adult years, and is said to affect one in six persons in the United States, according to PubMed Health.
IBS Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms have a wide range of severity and type. Common symptoms include pain in the abdomen, bloating, and gas. Symptoms often occur after eating, are minimized following a bowel movement, and are variable in intensity. While some individuals with IBS experience predominantly constipation, others experience predominantly diarrhea. Others show variability between the two. While some persons experience chronic, persistent pain, others may experience intense symptoms for a few weeks, with periods of time where they are symptom free. Diagnosis of IBS requires analysis of the individual's symptoms. While there is no test that can determine whether or not IBS is present, there are tests that can be used to rule out other disorders. Persons with IBS symptoms may be given blood tests, stool cultures, or a colonoscopy to rule out disorders such as Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, anemia, and infection. Diagnosis is often made only after all other disorders have been ruled out.
Treatment with Peppermint Oil
Peppermint has active ingredients that help to provide digestive relief and reduce spasms; these are menthol and methyl salicylate. It acts as a muscle relaxant. Peppermint can be administered as a tea, an extract, or a capsule. Peppermint oil is extracted from peppermint plants. It has some efficacy in reducing spasms in the stomach and intestines as well as reducing pain. Peppermint oil is typically provided in capsule form. Those that are 'enteric-coated' are preferable, as this coating does not dissolve until the capsules reach the intestines, which allows them to provide the greatest relief. If the capsules dissolve in the stomach, they may produce heartburn.
Efficacy of Peppermint Oil
According to a series of studies reviewed by Alexander Ford, MD and his colleagues, peppermint oil can lead to relief from IBS symptoms for some patients. Treatment with peppermint oil was compared to other studies for patients taking fiber and anti-spasmodic medications. Peppermint oil was found to be more effective than these other two treatments in the four studies where it was used. These findings suggest the potential efficacy of peppermint oil as an ongoing treatment for IBS symptoms. A review of clinical trials of peppermint oil in the journal Phytomedicine determined that in eight of 12 controlled clinical trials, patients taking peppermint oil demonstrated symptom improvement. Fifty eight percent of patients in all 12 trials demonstrated symptoms improvement, in contrast to the 29 percent who received the placebo. However, no significant difference was found between those using anti-spasmodic medications compared to those using peppermint oil.
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