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Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
What is a sensitive bowel? Sensitive bowel, also known as irritable bowel syndrome, is a very common syndrome in the population (on average, about one in ten people suffers from this problem). The syndrome is manifested by abdominal bloating, gas, discomfort and abdominal pain, abnormal bowel movements such as diarrhea, constipation or alternating bowel movements - constipation and diarrhea, mucus in the stool, and more.
How is Irritable Bowel Syndrome diagnosed?
The diagnosis will usually be made by a gastroenterologist or family doctor. In most cases, the gastroenterologist or family doctor will conduct blood tests (to check for celiac disease and inflammatory markers called CRP) and stool tests (a test called calprotectin in the stool that checks for intestinal inflammation. Sometimes doctors will also order a stool parasite test). The doctor can also send you for a lactose and sorbitol intolerance test, a test for the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, a gastroscopy, a colonoscopy, an abdominal ultrasound, an abdominal CT scan, and more.
If all the tests come out normal, the diagnosis will usually be Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
What causes sensitive bowel?
It is not known for sure what causes irritable bowel syndrome, but there are several hypotheses, such as the influence of the nervous system (disruptions in the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and the digestive system), hormonal changes, or impaired intestinal muscle contraction. Sometimes there is a psychological connection, such as anxiety or stress. It is also assumed that there is a genetic connection in the syndrome.
Living with a sensitive gut
A sensitive gut creates great frustration for those who suffer from it because, even though medical tests come out normal, the syndrome disrupts the quality of life. People with a sensitive gut miss more days of work, are afraid to spend time with friends, go out to restaurants or fly abroad.
What is the drug treatment for irritable bowel syndrome?
It is important to know that there are gastroenterologists who specialize in irritable bowel syndrome. This is a subspecialty of gastroenterology called neurogastroenterology. Doctors who specialize in neurogastroenterology can be reached through health insurance funds and hospitals. The medications that will be given for irritable bowel syndrome will usually be medications that will treat the symptoms, for example, medications for stomach pain, medications for constipation, diarrhea, and so on. In recent years, it has also been customary to give antidepressants or antianxiety medications in low doses. These medications are not given because the doctor thinks the patient has depression or anxiety, but because studies have shown that in low doses, these medications help relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
What other types of treatments are available for irritable bowel syndrome?
If medication has not helped or has not helped enough, irritable bowel syndrome can be treated in several other ways: nutritional therapy by a dietitian, medical hypnosis, talk therapy using a method called CBT, and Chinese medicine treatment. Chinese medicine treatment includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutrition.
What do the studies say about Chinese medicine treatment for irritable bowel syndrome?
In recent years, several studies have been conducted that have tested and proven the effectiveness of Chinese medicine in treating irritable bowel syndrome. In 2014, a review of studies on the effectiveness of Chinese acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome was published (published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology ). The researchers concluded that Chinese acupuncture provides an effective treatment for the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Since graduating and interning at the Gastroenterology Department in China (2009), I have treated hundreds of people with sensitive intestines and I am happy to say that I see very good results in the clinic. I would be happy to help you regain your quality of life. You are welcome to contact me on WhatsApp or through the website.
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