Peppermint Oil, Antispasmodics, and Soluble Fiber
Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a functional disorder of the bowel. In other words, IBS occurs when the bowel does not function correctly. Common symptoms of IBS include constipation, abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhea, a feeling of incomplete evacuation of the bowel, an urgency for bowel movements, and abdominal distension or bloating. A new review of several studies appears to indicate antispasmodics, peppermint oil, and soluble fiber are effective natural treatments for irritable bowel syndrome.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is constituted by a bowel that does not function correctly. However, researchers and doctors are not certain what causes this condition. The most common symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, a feeling of incomplete evacuation in the bowel, diarrhea and/or constipation, a feeling of urgency for bowel movements, and abdominal distension or bloating.
Common treatments for IBS include medications, laxatives, dietary changes, and antispasmotics, which help ease stomach pain and discomfort. Peppermint oil, antispamodics, and soluble fiber are some natural treatments you can utilize to ease the symptoms of IBS.
Peppermint Oil, Antispasmotics, and Soluble Fiber for IBS
The effectiveness of peppermint oil, soluble fiber, and antispasmodics as effective treatments for IBS has been studied, but their effectiveness has not always been clear. Thus, the researchers of the current report analyzed the results of several studies involving more than 2,500 adults suffering from IBS. Each study compared an alternative treatment to either no treatment or a placebo, and the current research was lead by Dr. Alex Ford.
Twelve studies comparing fiber to either placebo or no treatment involving 591 participants with IBS indicated soluble fiber significantly improved symptoms of IBS. On the contrary, insoluble fiber did not improve IBS symptoms.
The researchers also analyzed the results of four randomized trials involving 392 participants with IBS who either received peppermint oil or a placebo or no treatment. Of the three natural treatments reviewed for the current study, the researchers indicated that peppermint oil was the most effective at reducing IBS symptoms.
Finally, the researchers analyzed 12 studies that involved 1,778 participants who received various types of antispasmodics versus a placebo or no treatment. They discovered that the best antispasmodic for the prevention of IBS symptoms was hyoscine, bark that comes from the cork wood tree.
This study provides evidence that peppermint oil, soluble fiber, and antispasmodics are effective natural treatment options for irritable bowel syndrome.
Sources:
Medindia: Alternative Medicine News: Peppermint Oil and Soluble Fiber Are Effective in Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Wikipedia: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Irritable Bowel Syndrome
No time to comment, Nothing in particular to say?
To be notified by email when there are new blog entries, 
