Peppermint Oil, Antispasmodics, And Fiber For IBS Treatment

IBS is a condition that causes abdominal pain and irregular bowel movements, affecting between 5% and 20% of the population. Presently, it is difficult to treat IBS because we do not know exactly what causes it. Usual therapies include fiber supplements, probiotics, antidepressants, hypnotherapy, and laxatives. This treatment uncertainty, however, has led to the promotion of complementary and alternative treatments by international and national bodies.
Therapies to treat IBS such as fiber, antispasmodics and peppermint oil have been studied, but their effectiveness has not been proven because of conflicting conclusions and errors in analysis. Recent proof of the effectiveness of these treatments should also result in changes in the national guidelines that specify how to manage IBS. The researchers found that all three therapies were effective IBS treatments compared to placebo or no treatment.