Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and may include changing your diet, increasing physical activity, reducing stress and, for some people, taking anticholinergic medications to help treat spasms.
A spastic colon is not a condition itself, rather it is a symptom of something else happening in your body. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common health condition causing colon spasms. However, other conditions may also cause these contractions, including: Ulcerative colitis.
Antispasmodic Medication. For abdominal pain associated with IBS, your physician may recommend a prescription antispasmodic medication to relax the gut muscles, easing pain and discomfort. Some research suggests that peppermint oil—an extract available at health food stores—may act as a natural antispasmodic agent.
Peppermint, ginger and fennel all have soothing, antispasmodic properties, and apple cider vinegar appears to ease digestive problems too. Taking probiotics is another simple gut-friendly habit to get into. Make one or two of these natural remedies a part of your daily diet and you should reap the rewards.
Is there an over-the-counter antispasmodic? Peppermint oil is the only OTC antispasmodic available in the U.S.
Grains: Quinoa, white rice, corn flour, oats, gluten-free pasta. Protein: Lean meat and tofu, including beef, pork, chicken, fish, and eggs. Fruits: Strawberries, bananas, citrus fruits, blueberries. Vegetables: Carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, olives, potatoes, and turnips.
Anticholinergics reduce spasms or contractions in the intestine. This provides the potential to reduce abdominal pain and discomfort. The most common anticholinergics include hyoscyamine (Levsin®, NuLev®, Levbid®) and dicyclomine (Bentyl®). These can be taken daily or as needed.
Usually, colon spasms are not serious. Many people find relief from colon spasms by making diet and lifestyle changes to control IBS or food intolerances. However, if diet changes do not work, the person may need medical tests and treatment to determine the cause and find possible solutions.
Ripe bananas trigger IBS symptoms because of the presence of FODMAPs (specifically, oligofructans). Unripe bananas are less likely to cause symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, cramping, or constipation for people with IBS, but should still be consumed in moderation.
Probiotics are safe and effective in IBS patients, especially those used for a shorter duration such as for less than eight weeks; a higher dosage of a single probiotic strain seem to show greater benefits.
Probiotics can effectively treat the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) unless you also suffer from small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). If you have SIBO, probiotics may worsen your digestive discomfort. If you test negative for SIBO, probiotics are an excellent treatment option for IBS.
Increase the amount of fibre in your diet, for example: cereals, e.g. All Bran®, Bran Flakes®, Weetabix®, muesli, fruit and vegetables and brown bread. You must however drink plenty of water: 1-1½ litres a day. Eat your meals slowly and chew food thoroughly.
Try to keep active and get enough exercise. This will make you feel better and also help your bowels. Avoid meals rich in fat and restrict your intake of poorly absorbed carbohydrates. Lead a balanced life and aim to reduce stress as much as possible.
Studies and clinical trials have shown that active culture yogurt can help many people with IBS control symptoms, reduce pain, and have a better quality of life. Yogurt does not work for everyone with IBS, and it may be a poor choice if you are extremely sensitive to lactose.
Take several long, slow, deep breaths and go to that area. Imagine releasing the tension and discomfort there, feeling yourself relaxed and in control. You may also wish to simply imagine your body as you would like it to feel… calm, relaxed, and without pain.
During an IBS attack, it helps to apply heat to the abdomen with either an electric heating pad or a hot water bottle. The gentle heat feels nice. It also helps stimulate the blood flow and relax the smooth muscles of the colon, reducing spasms and cramps.
For individuals with constipation-predominant IBS, a soluble fiber supplement (Metamucil or others containing psyllium) can be helpful. Large amounts of fiber can hinder the absorption of medications, so take your medications one to two hours before the fiber supplement.
Drug treatment
Antispasmodic drugs (such as alverine citrate, mebeverine hydrochloride and peppermint oil) can be taken in addition to dietary and lifestyle changes. A laxative (excluding lactulose as it may cause bloating) can be used to treat constipation.
There are other IBS remedies, including peppermint oil (Colpermin) and mebeverine (Colofac). Peppermint oil and mebeverine are also antispasmodic remedies. They work in a similar way to Buscopan to relax stomach muscles and ease painful cramps. Both peppermint oil and mebeverine are available to buy from pharmacies.
Depending on where you look, Yakult provides a range of health benefits. From boosting the immune system, to easing IBS symptoms. The research appears to weigh in favour of the asserted benefits, certainly more so than some other alternative treatments.
Common names for this condition include spastic colon, nervous colon, nervous stomach, mucous colitis and spastic colitis. Physicians often refer to this condition by the initials IBS. The typical symptoms of IBS include crampy abdominal pain, bloating, distention and abnormal bowel habits.
The probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299v has been investigated in numerous clinical trials and found to improve common digestive symptoms such as gas and bloating. Lactobacillus plantarum 299v may also be suitable if you suffer from medically diagnosed IBS.