Spastic Colon Treatment

Spastic colon is another name used for the condition known as irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, which is a gastrointestinal disorder. This condition is characterized by abdominal pain and cramping, bloating as well as constipation and diarrhea. Such symptoms may disappear for a short while and then returns again. The literal meaning of the term, 'spastic colon', is contractions or spasms of the muscles of the large intestine.

Causes and Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Despite all the researches carried out, the causes are not known properly. Certain factors like, oversensitivity of the colon to some particular foods, immune reaction and stress are thought to play a key role in the onset of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Even many are of the opinion that the condition can be stimulated by an active, but undetected infection, while others think that an overgrowth of intestinal bacteria is responsible for causing this conditon.

Abdominal pain and cramping, gas, bloating, nausea, diarrhea and constipation are the typical symptoms. In some individuals, diarrhea can be the prominent symptom, while in others, it can be constipation. Again, certain individuals can experience alternating periods of constipation and diarrhea in case of spastic colon.

Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The treatment can vary from person to person. This disorder has no cure, and hence, the various treatment options are aimed towards alleviating the symptoms, reducing their severity, and preventing future outbreaks of irritable bowel syndrome. Physicians usually recommend dietary and lifestyle modifications to manage the disorder, along with some medications to treat the symptoms.

Dietary Modifications
People with spastic colon are often required to make certain changes in their dietary habit to manage the condition. Such changes usually involve including more of high fiber foods like, beans, fruits and vegetables in their diet, while cutting down the intake of meat, fats, dairy products and processed foods. Such people should also avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption.

Exercises
Along with dietary changes, low impact exercises like, walking and water exercises can also help in controlling the spastic colon outbreaks. Besides ensuring physical health and well-being, exercises can also help to manage stress, which is an important factor for stimulating irritable bowel syndrome attacks. To manage the level of stress, one can also take the help of appropriate stress management techniques like meditation and yoga.

Medications
Apart from the dietary modifications and exercises, medications are also required to get relief from the symptoms like, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Usually a fiber rich diet, and adequate fluid intake help to alleviate constipation and spastic colon. However, if these simple remedies fail, then laxatives may be required for ensuring proper bowel movement. Examples of the commonly used laxatives include, lubiprostone, milk of magensia, correctol, dulcolax and senokot. However, long term use of laxatives is not recommended, as people can become dependent on them for regular bowel movement.

The medications that are specifically used for relieving diarrhea symptom are, loperamide, diphenoxylate and bile acid binding agents. On the other hand, severe abdominal pain and cramp may require the use of anticholinergics, dicyclomine and antidepressant medications. Out of them, anticholinergic is an anti-spasmodic, that reduces the response of the colon to stress and certain specific foods. Other anti-spasmodics that are used in the treatment are donnatal, levsin, levbid, pro-banthine and bentyl. Antidepressant drugs, on the other hand, increase pain tolerance and help to deal with depression and anxiety, experienced by the patients of spastic colon.

Most of the medications used for treating this condition have several side effects, for which their daily and long term use is usually not recommended. Therefore, people with spastic colon should strictly avoid the practice of self medication. They should take these medicines only under the supervision of their physicians.