A new study reported in the British Medical Journal finds that often overlooked over the counter remedies for irritable bowel syndrome are more effective than placebo. The study shows that ispaghula husk, antispasmodics (particularly hyoscine), and peppermint oil are all effective treatments for irritable bowel syndrome. The researchers, however, did not distinguish between constipation- and diarrhea-predominant IBS. The study authors stated that the advent of newer and more expensive drugs, these remedies are overlooked as potentially effective treatments.
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.