Taking Alternative Ibs Meds With Prescribed Meds?
By www.menhealthonline.biz
Alternative medicine and complementary therapy is becoming more and more popular among IBS sufferers in America. In fact, it is estimated that more than 40% of Americans who suffer from gastrointestinal disorders seek complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). The reason is because IBS can often be hard to treat with prescribed and over-the-counter medications. Furthermore, many medications cause negative side effects that in some cases actually make the condition worse.
Alternative and complementary therapies are a holistic approach to treating IBS. These natural treatments typically involve proper diet management and stress reduction to help control, reduce and eliminate IBS symptoms.
You should know, however, that there is a slight difference between alternative medicines and complimentary therapy. Alternative medicine is taken instead of traditional medical treatments (drugs), whereas complementary therapy is when an IBS sufferer uses both alternative medicine and traditional medicine as treatment.
The following is a list of alternative medicines that are used as part of complimentary therapy:
Herbal therapy – The use of traditional Chinese medicines to treat IBS is a common alternative treatment. A combination of herbs may be used to treat IBS, or individual herbs may be prescribed to treat precise gastrointestinal symptoms. For instance, peppermint oil is used to reduce muscles spasms that can occur in the gastrointestinal tract which causes bloating and other uncomfortable symptoms. Other common herbs used include artichoke leaf extract and ginger.
Diet – IBS occurs in some people because one or more foods in their diet are aggravating the condition. A person can find out if certain foods in their diet are triggering attacks by keeping a food diary. For a few weeks a record is kept of everything they eat and the symptoms they experience after each meal. Eventually, an elimination diet can be created to help reduce symptoms. For instance, if an IBS suffer is prone to diarrhea, eliminating raw fruits and vegetables may help. On the contrary, someone who sufferers from constipation