Treating IBS

An estimated 5-15% of the world's population has Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a condition that can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation, cramping and bloating, and gas. It can affect people at any age but is especially common when people are in their 20s and 30s.
The condition can be difficult to diagnose because other conditions share the same symptoms. Unlike other conditions, however, there is no specific diagnostic test for IBS. Physicians must rely purely on symptoms to make the diagnosis.
Newly released guidelines for the treatment of IBS and a type of constipation known as chronic idiopathic constipation reveal a number of proven treatments for these two common conditions. The new guidelines, released recently by the American College of Gastroenterology, say there is evidence to support the following treatments for irritable bowel syndrome:

• Fiber
• Probiotics
• An antibiotic called rifaximin.
• Medications known as linaclotide and lubiprostone

The irritable bowel syndrome guidelines also say that research has boosted the case for using antidepressant medications and psychological therapy.
The guidelines for chronic idiopathic constipation strongly recommend the use of fiber supplements plus laxatives such as polyethylene glycol , lactulose, sodium picosulfate and bisacodyl. Chronic idiopathic constipation is long-term constipation that does not have a known cause.