Another aggravating factor may be eating large amounts of food during a meal. Medicines prescribed may include antispasmodic drugs to help counter irregular contractions of the colon muscles . Laxatives on the one hand or anti diarrhea drugs on the other may be recommended in periods of special difficulty with constipation or diarrhea. However, doctors generally recommend use of these for limited periods of time only. Otherwise a patient may become overdependent on drugs to regulate bowel movements.
Psychological measures represent still a third type of remedy.
Some persons with IBS have high anxiety levels that they seek to escape in vain by addictive smoking, drinking, or drugs. Reducing their anxiety through substance-abuse recovery programs and psychotherapy often improves their IBS condition. Self-help groups of people with IBS may be formed for group therapy. Individual counseling to reduce feelings of stress may also better the condition. Tranquilizers such as Valium may be prescribed to lessen anxiety or stress in some cases.