Irritable bowel syndrome affects more than 25 million people in the United States, and research into the use of probiotics to alleviate painful symptoms of the disease is offering hope for sufferers.
IBS is a chronic condition that causes cramps, pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
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"The impact of IBS can range from mild inconvenience to severe debilitation. It can control many aspects of a person's emotional, social and professional life,"
according to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. "IBS is unpredictable. Symptoms vary and are sometimes contradictory. Diarrhea can alternate with constipation. Long-term symptoms can disrupt personal and professional activities, and limit individual potential."
Although there are treatments for the symptoms of IBS, not all of them work for all people, IFFGD said.
In recent years, research has pointed to probiotics as an option for treating IBS. A
2004 study in the Gastroenterology journal found that taking a specific probiotics strain, Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, found alleviation of their IBS symptoms, with the exception of bowel movement frequency and consistency. In the study, individuals took 1 billion live B. infantis cells once a day.
The
IFFGD said probiotics, and the organization pointed specifically to the B. infantis strain as being the most commonly studied and shown to be effective, appear to help with the bloating and gas symptoms experienced by many people with IBS.
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At least one study, examining the effects of Bifidobacterium animalis (regularis) DN-173 010 on IBS patients who suffer from constipation found that those who were given the probiotics treatment reported more frequent stools and alleviation of bloating symptoms, according to a
report on the National Institutes of Health website. This particular strain of probiotics was given in Activia and Dannon yogurt, the website said.
Although all evidence-based research about probiotics and IBS is in its infancy, the IFFGD said it may be a helpful option for people struggling with IBS symptoms.
"While you are taking a probiotic, you should observe your symptoms and perhaps keep a log of your progress," the organization's website said. "This will help you to notice, over the course of several weeks, if the probiotic you are taking is right for you."
Talk to your medical provider about the proper right of probiotics, as it is important to get a proper dose to impact symptoms.
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