Diet and Health FAQ

Tagged As: Irritable Bowel Syndrome Remedy

Question:
Based on my research, enteric coated peppermint oil capsules are the number one treatment for IBS.  You can get them over the counter. Here are two sites to check out: http://www.colpermin.co.uk/ http://www.totalhealthdiscount.com/pepoil.html  

Answer:
Would you elaborate on what you based your research on? My doctor told me the same thing, he was surprised when it didn't work for me. This is what I found on Medline: didn't sound so promising or most effective from what I read there. Title Peppermint oil for irritable bowel syndrome: a critical review and metaanalysis. Author Pittler MH; Ernst E Address Department of Complementary Medicine, Postgraduate Medical School, University of Exeter, United Kingdom. Source Am J Gastroenterol, 93(7):1131-5 1998 Jul Abstract OBJECTIVE: Peppermint oil is the major constituent of several over-the-counter remedies for symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As the etiology of IBS is not known and treatment is symptomatic, there is a ready market for such products. However, evidence to support their use is sparse. The aim of this study was to review the clinical trials of extracts of peppermint (Mentha X piperita L.) as a symptomatic treatment for IBS. METHODS: Computerized literature searches were performed to identify all randomized controlled trials of peppermint oil for IBS. Databases included Medline, Embase, Biosis, CISCOM, and the Cochrane Library. There were no restrictions on the language of publication. Data were extracted in a standardized, predefined fashion,       independently by both authors. Five double blind, randomized, controlled trials were entered into a metaanalysis. RESULTS: Eight randomized, controlled trials were located. Collectively they indicate that peppermint oil could be efficacious for symptom relief in IBS. A metaanalysis of five placebo-controlled, double blind trials seems to support this notion. In view of the methodological flaws associated with most studies, no definitive judgment about efficacy can be given. CONCLUSION: The role of peppermint oil in the symptomatic treatment of IBS has so far not been established beyond reasonable doubt. Well designed and carefully executed studies are needed to clarify the issue. Title Peppermint oil does not relieve the pain of irritable bowel syndrome. Author Nash P; Gould SR; Bernardo DE Source Br J Clin Pract, 40(7):292-3 1986 Jul Language Eng Unique Identifier 86296462 Title Stress management for irritable bowel syndrome: a controlled trial. Author Shaw G; Srivastava ED; Sadlier M; Swann P; James JY; Rhodes J Address Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK. Source Digestion, 50(1):36-42 1991 Abstract Thirty-five patients with irritable bowel syndrome were randomized to receive treatment in a stress management program or conventional therapy which included the antispasmodic Colpermin. The stress management program involved a median of six 40-min sessions with a physiotherapist during which patients were helped to understand the nature of their symptoms, their relationship to stress and were taught relaxation exercises. Two thirds of those in the stress management program found the program effective in relieving symptoms and experienced fewer attacks of less severity. This benefit was maintained for at least 12 months. Few of those given conventional management had any benefit. A stress management program would appear to be of value for patients with irritable bowel syndrome. I listed two websites in my earlier post with detailed info on peppermint oil and IBS.  Did you happen to read them? The product Colpermin which is sold in England has a 70% market share of all medications (including prescription drugs) for treatment of IBS in that country.  That itself is a strong indication of its effectiveness, I think.  There is another site that sells a peppermint oil product which lists several independent articles about IBS treatment.  The address is: http://www.itnw.roma.it/cadigroup/emintoil.html The drug Levbid or Hyosycamine(generic) is widely used for IBS.  I used this drug for about three months and it didn't work worth a crap.  One of the articles I read, and I think it's in the above site, stated that clinical trials showed peppermint oil to be far superior to Hyosycamine. Basically, I went to Alta Vista and typed in the words intestinal motility and that's how I found out about peppermint oil.  Then I searched for peppermint oil and found a lot of stuff.  I believe in researching on the internet you can't just believe something from one site.  You have to look at multiple sources.  So that's what I did. Anyway, I bought peppermint oil capsules at my local health store yesterday, and I'll let you know in a couple of weeks how they work.     Have you read any of the recent stuff about the underlying cause of IBS. Anything about the newest drugs currently in development for IBS? I'm not saying that Peppermint Oil cannot be an effective drug for some people.  I wasn't too sure about this MOST EFFECTIVE claim. Levsin certainly isn't THE ONLY other drug in use for IBS. Peppermint oil may be a more effective antispasmodic than Levsin (there is plenty of scientifically valid studies on Medline...do you know what Medline is... it'll give you ALL the published studies on things, not *just* the ones that the person owning a web site wants you to see.... that indicated that Levsin may not be a particullary effective drug for a lot of people.  It certainly doesn't do anything to help with the spasms that people get from various assorted medical procedures. The most recent, and best hypothesis that explains the underlying cause of IBS (and explains pretty much all of the varied and assorted symptoms... not everyone has spasms as the problem) is that something has gone wrong with the nervous system either controlling the gut, or in the sensory portion (what sensory information signals what, or what information it sends to the brain).  This seems to have something to do with seratonin levels in this part of the nervous system.  This is why low dose antidepressant (or anti anxiety drugs that also affect seratonin levels) tends to be a highly effective treatment (89% significant improvment with 60% of all the patients in complete remission....noting that many patients had to try more than one drug to find the one that was effective).  The drugs currently in development all target specifically the seratonin receptors in the gut.  The other drugs were developed for the central nervous system, but do have some efficacy on these nerves as well. Funny thing is that while I have heard people here say they've gotten a lot of relief from Levsin (with lots who say it does nothing) and a number of people on either side of the did a various antidepressant help them.  There isn't a lot of positive comments here about peppermint. Actually I'm about the only one here who routinely talks about it, and advises people to try it.  I find that some peppermint preparations can help me sometimes, If I'm out and I forgot the Levsin, I'll buy some Altoids (since there available here just about every drug/ supermarket/convenience store) and pop a couple in a pinch.  An Altoid or two is about 2/3's as effective for me as the Levsin (and it's probably not a high enough dosage). Please do let us know how it works for you.  It'd be nice not to be the only one who has found some effectiveness with it. One doctor I saw gave me some samples of Levbid. I took one of the pills and was sick for 2 days!!!  It did nothing to help my spasms and pain. My current doctor has it in my files that I cannot ever take that drug again due to my reaction to it. Yeah me to really badly!! I think i may have answered this before, if so I apologize for being repetitive!!! Where are the studies that indicate that anti-depressants have a positive effect on IBS symptoms?  I would like to be able to get the info to take to my physician.  From what I have heard, some of the negative side effects are diarrhea which is my problem to begin with...what about that aspect? Appreciate whatever assistance you can lend relative to sites for info.