How to treat irritable bowel syndrome

The intestine is the most important organ of the human body, which belongs to two systems at once: the digestive and excretory systems. The length of the intestine reaches 4 meters, and the organ itself consists of two sections: the large and small intestines. In the small intestine, located immediately after the stomach and consisting of the ileum, sigmoid, jejunum and duodenum, the process of food digestion takes place. After that, the food lump moves into the large intestine, where the stool is formed and water and nutrients are absorbed. If the work of any part of the intestine is disrupted, a person experiences characteristic symptoms: instability of the stool, pain in the abdominal area, bloating.

Such manifestations may indicate inflammatory processes in the intestine, as well as infectious pathologies, for example, syphilis, dysentery, or tuberculosis infection. A similar clinical picture can also be observed in tumor processes and malignant lesions of various segments of the intestine. If the examination of the patient does not reveal any pathological reasons, and the unpleasant symptoms persist within 3 months, the doctor diagnoses irritable bowel syndrome. This is a chronic intestinal pathology, which is detected in about 20% of the world's inhabitants. Doctors consider these statistics to be inaccurate, since only one out of ten patients seeks medical help when symptoms of IBS appear.

Classification and reasons

IBS refers to functional bowel disorders that occur without any pathological or organic factors. More than half of patients with this disease are women. Experts explain this prevalence of the syndrome among female patients by instability hormonal levels and frequent hormonal shifts, arising, for example, during pregnancy or menopause. The main risk group includes people aged 30-40 years, but in the last decade there has been a clear trend that allows to shift the age range by 5 years forward - from 25 to 40 years.

The exact reasons for the development of IBS have not yet been identified, but experts identify several factors that can contribute to the disruption of the digestive and excretory functions of the intestine. The most significant of these is the psychological factor. People living in a state of chronic stress are 45% more likely to experience irritable bowel syndrome compared to patients in whom emotional lability was not detected. Social factors, for example, living in socially unfavorable conditions, play an important role in the mechanism of development of the SRPK.

Other possible causes of pathology include:

• too frequent and unjustified use of drugs containing various groups of bacteria;
• abuse of drinks, which include wine alcohol and ethanol;
• increased consumption of caffeine;
• the abundance in the diet of foods that increase gas formation, as well as spices and fats;
• binge eating.

Note! The maximum manifestation of IBS is reached during menstruation, since during this period the production of sex hormones reaches its maximum levels.

Video - Irritable Bowel Syndrome

How it manifests itself: symptoms and indirect signs

Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the few pathologies characterized by a large number of symptoms, the localization of which is not the affected organ. Signs of IBS can manifest themselves both from the intestines - they are typical and easily diagnosed - and from other organs and systems, for example, the urinary tract, the nervous system and organs digestion. This is due to the fact that it is in the intestines that systemic immunity is formed, and when the work of an organ or its departments disrupted, malfunctions appear in the functioning of the immune system, which lead to the development of secondary pathologies and diseases.

Doctors refer to the following symptoms as characteristic symptoms of IBS:

• recurrent pain in the lower abdomen (projection of the abdominal zone);
• stool instability (diarrhea or prolonged constipation);
• soreness during bowel movements;
• weak peristalsis of the intestinal walls (the need for straining during bowel emptying);
• change in the consistency of feces, their color and smell;
• bloating;
• excessive discharge of gases;
• lack of relief after a bowel movement;
• Mucous streaks in the stool (rare).

Important! If all these symptoms are persistent, do not go away within 2-3 months and occur mainly after emotional stress or food intake, you should consult a doctor. Many diseases of the digestive tract have similar symptoms, and only a doctor can correctly diagnose after hardware and instrumental diagnostics (anorectal manometry, radiography, enema using contrast solution).

Indirect symptoms of pathology: what should you pay attention to?

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome may experience not only local symptoms related to bowel function, but also other signs that are the result of existing disorders. Most often, patients talk about headaches and joint pains (less often muscle pains may occur), chronic fatigue syndrome, and concomitant digestive disorders. Almost 35% of patients have gastroesophageal disease - chronic disruption of the stomach and esophagus, the cause of which is the throwing of stomach contents into various parts of the esophageal tube (gastroesophageal reflux).

Some patients may experience changes in the autonomic and psychosomatic nervous systems, for example:

• panic attacks;
• increased anxiety;
• depressive tendencies;
• sensation of a foreign body in the throat;
• tantrums and psychosis;
• chills of the upper and lower extremities while maintaining the normal temperature of other parts of the body.

About 15-20% of patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome reported mild genital disorder. functions: decreased libido, lack of sensitivity of erogenous zones, weak erection and premature ejaculation (in men).

Important! All these signs, even in conjunction with typical "intestinal" symptoms, cannot be considered as signs of IBS, therefore, all patients a comprehensive examination and differential diagnosis with other diseases that have a similar clinic.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment

Drug therapy for IBS is aimed at eliminating existing symptoms, improving the patient's well-being and restoring normal functioning of the intestines and other organs of the digestive system. The choice of drugs depends on what goal is supposed to be achieved when using them, as well as the complaints that the patient presents. An approximate drug treatment regimen for IBS is shown in the table below.

Drug group	What and how to take?	Image
Antispasmodics for abdominal pain	"No-shpa" (2 tablets 3 times a day) "Drotaverin" (1-2 tablets 3 times a day) "Spazmalgon" (2-5 ml intramuscularly up to 3 times a day) "Papaverine" (1 suppository rectally 2 times a day)	Spazmalgon
Carminative for flatulence and bloating	"Espumisan" (1-2 capsules from 2 to 5 times a day) "Simethicone" (300-600 mg 2-3 times a day) Disflatil (25-50 drops after each meal and before bedtime) "Meteospazmil" (1 capsule 2-3 times a day before meals)	Disflatil
Tranquilizers and sedatives for neuropathic pain and increased anxiety	Afobazol (10 mg 3 times a day) "Persen" (2-3 tablets up to 3 times a day) Corvalol Forte (1 tablet 2-3 times a day under the tongue)	Afobazol
Antidiarrheal drugs to stop diarrhea	"Loperamide" (initial dose - 2 capsules, then - 1 capsule after each bowel movement until stool normalization) Diara (2 to 4 mg after each bowel movement)	Loperamide
Laxatives for constipation and painful bowel movements	"Microlax" (1 micro enema) "Duphalac" (15-45 ml) "Portalak" (15-45 ml) "Lactulose" (15-40 ml)	Duphalac

To support bowel function and avoid the development of dysbiosis (especially while taking antibacterial and antimicrobial agents, for example, “Enterofurila"Based on nifuroxazide), it is recommended to take prebiotics and drugs containing lactobacilli.

The following drugs are considered the most effective means of this group:

• "Bifiform";
• "Acipol";
• "Normobakt";
• "Pepidol";
• "Bifidumbacterin";
• Linex;
• "Yogulakt".

Children can be given bifidopreparations in the form of fruit drops ("Bifiform Baby" and "Bifiform Kid") Or figurines of animals. A drug "Normobact»For children is produced in the form of bears with a taste of white chocolate, which are very popular with children. You need to give the product 2 times a day, 1 figure. The course of treatment is 10 days.

The effectiveness of "Enterol" in the treatment of IBS

«Enterol"Is a drug for the treatment of intestinal diseases with a complex effect. It stops diarrhea, destroys pathogenic flora and helps to normalize the bacterial composition of the intestinal microflora by stimulating the growth of beneficial microorganisms. The drug is suitable for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in patients of any age (including children and the elderly people), while it is effective in any type of IBS due to the combined effect on the mucous membranes of the intestinal walls. Lyophilized Saccharomyces boulardii is a part of Enterol as an active ingredient. This is a complex of beneficial microorganisms that have not only antidiarrheal, but also antitoxic, immunobiological and strengthening effects.

Enterol is available in three dosage forms: capsules, powder for solution preparation and powder for suspension preparation. It has no contraindications, is well tolerated and is suitable for children from 1 year old. It must be taken according to the following scheme:

• children under 3 years old - 1 capsule 2 times a day for 5 days;
• children from 3 to 12 years old - 1 capsule once a day for 10 days;
• adolescents over 12 years old and adults - 1 capsule 2 times a day for 10 days.

The average cost of the drug is from 240 to 300 rubles.

Nutrition for IBS

Diet for irritable bowel syndrome can reduce the severity of clinical symptoms and provide comfortable digestion, which is especially important for patients with severe dyspeptic pain and disorders chair. There is no single diet that would suit all IBS sufferers. A meal plan is drawn up individually for each patient, taking into account the prevailing symptoms, the patient's age and his individual needs. However, there are foods that are not recommended to be consumed too often and in large quantities, common to all patients with this diagnosis.

First of all, this includes products that contain puric acid, since when splitting, it forms purine gas, which causes bloating, flatulence and pain in the abdominal space. This includes some types of legumes (peas, lentils, beans), all grape varieties, potatoes, most varieties of cabbage. These foods contain many vitamins, amino acids and minerals, so exclude them from the diet completely not worth it, but reducing their number in the menu is necessary for the prevention of dyspeptic disorders. The following products are also banned:

• spices;
• carbonated drinks;
• strong tea and coffee;
• fatty meals;
• mayonnaise;
• smoked meats and marinades;
• confectionery;
• kvass;
• whole cow's milk.

Diet recommendations

If the patient has a prolonged absence of stool (longer than 3-4 days), the amount of fruits and vegetables (with severe pain in the stomach, you can give them in the form of mashed potatoes), fermented milk products, vegetable oils. Dishes made from buckwheat and oatmeal (mainly in the form of cereals) are useful. Before going to bed, it is recommended to drink 1 glass of kefir. If there is no pain syndrome, you can normalize the stool with bran. Crispy bran from wheat or rye must be poured with thick milk drinks (3-4 tablespoons per day). They should be consumed from 10 to 30 days - the duration of the course depends on the dynamics and well-being of the patient. If you experience cuts or discomfort in the lower abdomen, the product should be excluded from the menu.

Drinking regime should also be plentiful. With a tendency to constipation, compotes from fresh and dried fruits, fermented milk drinks (kefir, yogurt, whey), as well as freshly squeezed juices with pulp are shown.

If the patient is diagnosed with diarrheal IBS, the diet should consist of foods with a fixing effect. It can be weak meat and fish broths, steamed cutlets, jelly, porridge made from carbohydrate cereals (for example, semolina or barley). From drinks, preference should be given to strong black tea, as well as broths of rose hips and blueberries.

Irritable bowel syndrome treatment is a long-term task that can only be solved with the help of an integrated approach. Drug therapy gives only a short-term effect, since it eliminates the symptoms, but does not in any way affect the main causes of pathology - stress and malnutrition. The most important task in the treatment of IBS is the correction of the diet, the restoration of adequate physical activity and the normalization of the patient's emotional state.