IBS Attack - Treating it?

Question

One of my coworkers at work has recently been experiencing a serious number of "IBS attacks" in the workplace and out of it. She believes that she has modified her diet sufficiently, in order to help her prevent these attacks, however when they occur, she feels miserable and cannot think of any way to deal with them. Are there any medications out there (preferably OTC) that can help stop an attack after one has started?

For example, I've heard that Magnesium Phosphate capsules are excellent OTC supplements that can help reduce the symptoms presented when an individual with IBS has an "attack". Does anyone know if there is any truth to this rumor?

Answer 1

Not entirely, no. Magnesium is a relaxant, so it may encourage diarrhea.

There are several natural products that can help with overall digestion and may help with some aspects of IBS. Probiotics, enzymes, and even general fiber can help with various areas of digestion. Ginger, Aloe Vera, and Peppermint Oil can also help to soothe the stomach.

Any of those can help with different aspects of IBS and/or digestion.

Answer 2

IBS is often associated with Candida Overgrowth, please see the following website.

http://www.significanthealing.com/Sympto...

My sister suffered from IBS for years, she is now cured from IBS, by following a nutritional approach/ a special 3 day Apple Fast, this was her supplement regime:

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Fasting

Day 1

- 10-15 Red/Golden Delicious {most high in pectin, do not substitute for Green apples} Apples. {You can eat as many Apples as you like, on average I ate 10-15, just tot give you a figure for how many apples to buy. The best place to buy these apples in a Local Farmer's Market, in bulk, and its organic/cheap; Although even apples from the superstore will work as well}

- 3 litres of Alkali Water, {to make alkali add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to every litre of filtered/spring water}

- Coffee e***a, scientifically proven to detox the liver and kidneys. You will urinate alot after, so drink lots of water before/after.

- 2x S. Boulardii Probiotic Supplement {this flushes out Candida Albicans, and lodged fecal matter, use this instead of imodium/laxatives}

- Oil of Oregano Capsules x 4

- Oxygen Elements Plus/Max by GHT, 21 drops, trice daily as 7 drops in a glass of filtered water

- {Optional Step} 3 tablespoons of Colloidal Silver, in between meals, alternatively use diltued Iodine BP oral suspension {available at chemists}.

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Day 2

Same as Day 1, although substitute the 'Oil of Oregano Capsules x 4' for 4x Olive Leaf Extract {Optional, you can stick to taking Oil of Oregano for all 3 days, I just happened to have these other anti-fungals at home. I thought to cycle the anti-fungals, like Doctors do with antibiotics for Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth}

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Day 3

- Same as Day 2, although substitute '4 x Olive Leaf Extract' for 4 x High potency Ginger/Allicin Extract

- Drink 1 glass of grape juice before bed

- And 1-2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, to restart digestion.

- A Word of Caution - Your coworker will feel very down, and have a headache through this 3 day fast, if you have candida, this is known as the Healing crisis or Herxheimer's Reaction, tis is good as it means candida is dying, I reccommend if you decide to do the fast, do it in the holidays, or on a friday, then over the weekend so it does not interfere with work/university/whatever. The second day is the hardest.

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After Care Day 4 - 60

- 4.5g of Glutamine powder, before bed, to heal the gut/leaky Gut Syndrome, damage caused by Candida Albicans

- Extra Virgin Cocconut Oil 4 tablespoons per day, after meals, this heals the gut also, and kills any remaining Candida Albicans/other pathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses.

- Oxygen Elements Max/Plus 21 drops, 7 drops thrice daily, or a cheaper alternative would be Hydrogen Peroxide 35% Food Grade, 1 drop to a pint of water, build up slowly, do not exceed 25 drops.

- {Optional} Ginkgo Biloba 60mg per day - Increase blood circulation, , scientifically proven to improve memory and concentration

- Vitamin/Mineral complex by Higher Nature 'Advanced Nutrition Complex', to eliminate dificiencies from the fast, and give the body what it needs to heals itself. 3 capsules daily. 1x Omega 3 by 'Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega'

- Kefir - made at home {join Yahoo Kefir Making Group, to obtain Kefir Grains} drink 1 pint for breakfast, 1 pint prior to bedtime. This is a probiotic drink.

- {Optional} Fivelac probiotic supplement by GHT, 4 times daily, then twice daily for maintenance.

- S. Boulardii x1 capsule, prior to bedtime.

- {Optional} Consider also supplementing with Oxy Powder to oxygenate the gut/blood, and kills any remaining candida. Although this is an expensive supplement, I personally did not use this, as I had no knowledge of it.

- Anti-Candida Diet, no sugar, yeasts, ect. Also stop cooking with Vegetable oils, and replace with Virgin Olive Oil, or better Virgin Coconut Oil {anti-candida, and anti-bacterial/acne}.

Vegetable oils are rancid and causes alo of oxidation in the body, and hus aggrevate and can cause Inflammation, which is not good for your IBS. Make sure it is 'Virgin' or 'Extra Virgin' {in the case of Olive oil}, these oils are more expensive, but worth it.

Continue the anti-candida diet for 6 months, then leave the supplements, continue to eat healthy, eat sugar moderately, continue taking Vitamin/Mineral complex and Omega 3.

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Alkalising the Body

Candida cannot thrive in an alkalised, oxygen rich body, the following will help you alkalise your body to an optimal state:

- Drink alkali water, add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to every litre of filtered water that you drink

- Eat lots of dark green leafy vegetables with food.

- Cut down on citrus fruits, soda's, sugar

- Replace table sugar with Xylitol, this alkalises the body and promote health/ fights candida, and is a prebiotic.

- {Optional} Consider buying a Bob Beck Ozonator, to oxygenate water before drinking, this also alkalises the body/ kills candida alibicans.

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This will cure IBS. Goodluck if you choose to follow the protocol outlined above. The above fast is designed by me, combining knowledge from various sources and alternative medicine books.

I reccommend your coworker find a good nutritionist, or better a naturopath.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I believe that often this is stress-related.  I got a product with d-limonene (for heartburn, might help with IBS), a natural ingredient from orange peels.  I think it was Heartburn-Free.  It might help.  I would also try an elimination diet process as she may be reacting to foods such as dairy, wheat (the usual culprit), corn or even soy.  Encourage her to get fiber like oatmeal and home-cooked applesauce, as they will help without the irritation of psyllium husk or other hard types of fiber.

Answer 4

I have also found from my own life that egg allergy greatly mimics IBS, and may be misdiagnosed as such.  I do  recommend the probiotics and enzyme approach as well.  I do not have any experience w/ elemental Mag. Phos., but I have used homeopathic Mag. Phos. many, many times for pain-filled, spasmodic conditions such as menstrual cramps and Charley horses.  Works great!  I have also found that many produce/salad bar/restaurant items have sulfites and other chemicals and preservatives in them that seem to make my digestion issues far worse.  This could perhaps be the problem (or part of it) for your co-worker as well.

Regarding the above post:  It's mostly excellent, but S. (Sacharomyces) boulardii IS a yeast.  Why is this being recommended on an anti-candida diet, please?