How to Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Alternative Therapies

There are many alternative treatments available for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, there is no substitute for lifestyle modifications and dietary changes. Exercise caution when considering alternative therapies.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lactose-free Diet
• Vegan Diet
• Cleansing Enemas
• Peppermint Oils

1. Consider taking enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules. In a small study of IBS sufferers, 71 percent reported a reduction in irritable bowel symptoms after taking peppermint oil capsules.

2. Think about hypnosis. In a small study of IBS sufferers, 60 percent of patients said their symptoms improved after using hypnosis.

3. Look into stress management courses. In a small study of IBS sufferers, two-thirds reported a reduction in IBS symptoms after taking stress management classes.

4. Try a lactose-free diet. In a small study of IBS sufferers, 51 percent reported relief of IBS symptoms after completely eliminating dairy products from their diet.

5. Research psychotherapy. IBS sufferers have reported a reduction in their symptoms with biofeedback, transactional analysis and relaxation classes.

6. Consider acupuncture. In a small study of IBS sufferers, many reported decreased bloating and an improved sense of well-being after acupuncture.

7. Ask about colonic cleansings. Some people believe that a weekly plain water enema is helpful in healing the bowel.

8. Forgo meat in your diet. Some people believe that cutting out all animal products helps the colon to be healthier and less irritable.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[Topanga08]

on 9/10/2008 I've had IBS for 18 years and it seemed like anything slightly undercooked or any dairy would give me severe stomach pains. I carry all my stress in my stomach. Anyway, to make a long story short, my nutritionist (www.christineavanti.com) gave me a new probiotic called Biogaia and it has been really surprisingly effective. My body seems to fight off stomach pains in a different way. I like it.

on 12/8/2005 Hypnosis has over 15 years of medical/clinical study that suggests an 80-95% success rate in reducing or eliminating IBS symptoms. The only group that showed a lower rate was men with diarrhea predominant IBS - they should a 60% efficacy (still significant).
Try hypnosis it is definitely the most promising non-drug treatment out there.

on 11/22/2005 Having lived with IBS for 15 years, I had managed to adjust my life around it. However, 8 months ago I decided to make sweet tea, something I hadn't done since I left home 20 years ago. I drank a gallon of sweet tea over the course of 2 days and haven't had an episode since. Coincidence? Maybe. But, it's worth a shot! I used 4 individual-sized Lipton tea bags and 1 cup of sugar to make a gallon. Dissolve the sugar in boiling water before adding the tea bags.

on 12/22/2005 I have suffered with IBS-C, that is with almost constant constipation. After trying just about everything, I have found that a weekly, 2 liter tap water enema using warm water (108 F) keeps the symptoms to a minimum. If I have a bad week, I will augment this with a small enema (about a pint of water using a bulb syringe) upon waking in the morning. I have learned to treat the symptoms and forget about a cure.