Treatments for Spastic Colon

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Spastic colon is another name for irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. This is an extremely painful condition that can cause stomach aches, cramping, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation and more. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, there are various treatment options for spastic colon. Different people respond to different treatments so you should try a variety of measures to see what is right for you.
Medication
For certain people, medication may be useful in helping with the symptoms of spastic colon. This will depend on your exact case. If you are having diarrhea, then medication against this may be the most useful. If constipation is a main symptom, then look to laxatives. There are antispasmodic medications and certain antidepressants that may help, but these should be taken under the guidance of a physician because of possible side effects. Lotronex is another medication that is used, but it can also have major side effects. A recent study has shown that certain antibiotics may be useful as well.
It is important to take all medications in their recommended doses. You do not want to overdose or take them for too long. Some of these medicines will also interfere with other medications. Speak to your health care provider to discuss the exact medications you should take to combat your spastic colon.
Diet changes
Diet can play a large role in spastic colon. There are different eating changes that you can make to combat this disorder. First you want to find out the foods that may be specific triggers for you. Keep a food diary and mark down what you eat and when your flare-ups of spastic colon are. Write down any correlations you find and try to stay away from those foods.
For many with spastic colon, fiber can be beneficial. This can help reduce the symptom of constipation. Too much fiber can cause gas and bloating, however, which can worsen the symptoms. Sometimes these side effects will stop on their own, thus you may want to give a higher fiber diet a chance.
Gas can exacerbate the symptoms of a spastic colon. Avoid the following things that can cause gas: carbonated beverages, gum and quick eating.
Eating too much in a meal may make your symptoms worse. Try to eat less food more times a day. Also, eat food that is lower in fat.
Lifestyle changes
For some stress can exacerbate spastic colon. It may have a significant effect. If you are experiencing the symptoms of spastic colon, then you will want to do all that you can to reduce your stress level. This treatment may involve meditation, relaxation techniques, mental health therapy and even anti-anxiety medication.
It can be very difficult to live with the pain and other symptoms of a spastic colon. Try the different treatment options to find out what is effective for you.