Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Prescription Drugs and Treatment For IBS

Of all the visits to gastroenterologists every year, twenty to fifty percent of those visits are cases of irritable bowel syndrome. But even though IBS is a very common condition, a lot of people still do not know what it is, how it is diagnosed and most especially how it is treated.

Since this is the case of irritable bowel syndrome, no single specific laboratory exam can positively pinpoint whether a person has IBS or not. What usually happens is that the person suspected with IBS is subjected to several laboratory exams and through the process of eliminating other gastrointestinal disease irritable bowel syndrome can be identified then as the culprit.

It is common that, one of the laboratory exams that the patient will undergo is sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy or enteroscopy. These are examinations wherein a tube with a camera will be inserted to the anus into the large intestine. The main purpose of this is to give the physician the ability to see the inner linings of the wall of the large intestine.

All over the years, there have been many treatments for irritable syndrome. When it was believed that IBS is caused by a mental or psychosomatic disorder, the mode of treatment was psychotherapy and some even resort to hypnotherapy. Well, even until today, this method of treating irritable bowel syndrome is still used. Only now, therapies are more focused on managing the stress a person is experiencing since there have been studies that show stress as a contributor of causing or aggravating irritable bowel syndrome.

Today, other than therapies, prescription drugs have also been made to treat irritable bowel syndrome. Initially, prescription drugs given to a person affected with IBS are those that would treat or at least suppress the symptoms of the disease. If a patient is experiencing diarrhea, then he or she will be given anti diarrhea drugs. If a patient is experiencing constipation, then laxatives are given.

A patient may also be given a prescription drug called antispasmodics. These drugs are most helpful to patients who are experiencing painful abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Other drugs given are those that have effects on serotonin. Controlling serotonin in the GI tract aids in reducing some of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Another prescription drug called Rifaximin is given to patients especially those who are experiencing flatulence and abdominal bloating. This also somehow proves that there really are bacterial growth in the GI tract of some IBS patients.

There is one drug though that is specifically for IBS. This drug is called Alosteron also known as Lotronex. This prescription drug is a nerve receptor antagonist. Its main function is to relax a person's colon and slows the movement of materials in the lower bowel.

Unfortunately, this drug was removed from the market just nine months after its release since there were people who experienced severe side effects and for some, death. It was again sold in the market but this time it was given tight restrictions.