Non-laxative stool softeners can also help. Regular exercise and plenty of water are essential components of good bowel health as well. If you can't avoid laxatives altogether, then use them only on rare occasion. Occasional use of anti-diarrheals is relatively safe, but if the stools contain blood or mucous, you should contact your physician. An estimated 10 percent of Americans suffer from this condition.
Therapy often involves changes in the diet to reduce discomfort.
Some studies indicate that as many as one-quarter of people with IBS may have lactose intolerance, so eliminating milk products from the diet may be helpful. Patients are usually advised to stop drinking alcohol, using nonsteroidal medications, or eating foods that are gas producing such as beans, raw vegetables and caffeine. Fiber supplements can help regulate stools to make the passage through the intestine easier. Low-dose antidepressants may be used to decrease the enhanced sensitivity of the colon. For cases that do not respond to these therapies, the UCLA Center for Functional Bowel and Motility Disorders is evaluating a wide range of new medications and uses alternative methods including a comprehensive educational program, relaxation techniques, acupuncture and hypnosis to control IBS, notes Emeran Mayer, M.D., director of the center.