But there is good news for those women who suffer from IBS where constipation is the most predominant feature. Researchers at the Digestive Disease Week conference in Atlanta last week revealed that a new medication, Zelnorm, might be on the market soon. Studies have shown that the medication helps relieve abdominal pain, bloating and constipation in two thirds of the patients taking the drug. The majority of patients experienced relief within the first week of treatment. The drug works by stimulating the serotonin-4 receptor in the intestine. Currently the drug will be approved only for women with IBS. There were not enough men in the studies to show that the drug was effective in males.
What is IBS?
IBS is a disorder usually starting in the teen years or young adulthood. It is generally a chronic disorder that waxes and wanes over the years. It is defined as at least 12 weeks of discomfort or abdominal pain in the preceding twelve months. The symptoms need not occur during consecutive weeks but the abdominal discomfort should have at least two of the three following features:
- Pain relieved by passing a bowel movement.
- Onset of pain associated with a change in frequency of stool.
- Onset of pain associated with a change in form (consistency of stool.
For practical purposes of treatment, patients are divided into three groups. First, there are individuals who have diarrhea-predominant IBS. Second, some patients have constipation-predominant IBS, and last, some patients have pain/bloat type. Some patients are recognized to alternate between diarrhea and constipation.
