What medications treat IBS?
The following medications may be helpful in alleviating IBS symptoms: • Imodium – Can alleviate gas, bloating and diarrhea but should be utilized with care as not to disrupt the normal bowel patterns. • Fiber supplements such as psyllium (Metamucil), a great source of soluble fiber or methycelluloseLucin (Citrucel). By adding fiber, bowel contractions and patterns are regulated. Lucinda Bassett, in her widely popular program “Attacking Anxiety”, strongly recommends daily fiber supplementation and insists that adding a bit of fiber to her diet calmed her own symptoms of IBS remarkably. • Anticholinergic medicines – anticholinergics affect the nervous system and can relieve the bowel spasming that can be extremely painful, irritating and stress invoking. • Antidepressents – Although certainly not all IBS sufferers would consider depression treatment, antidepressents can inhibit the activity of the neurons controlling the intestines. For those with mostly diarrhea an MD may prescribe imip
