From Proyar Laboratory queremos compartir con ustedes la 2º parte de un artículo exclusivo para nuestros clientes, redactado por el Dr. Jorge Alonso. Médico, MN 67.640, Director del posgrado de Fitomedicina de la U.B.A. y Presidente de la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Fitomedicina.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Part 2) See first part
Treatment
It is necessary to provide the patient with adequate and understandable information about the characteristics of their disease, especially regarding its chronic nature and benign prognosis. Establishing a good patient-doctor relationship will favor recovery and reduce the number of consultations. The patient's discomfort should not be underestimated, as their symptoms are real. Once the patient has understood their disease and had all their questions answered, various treatments can be initiated depending on the nature and intensity of the symptoms.
Hygienic-Dietary Measures: Temporarily avoid foods and beverages that trigger or worsen symptoms (toxins such as tobacco, stimulants such as alcohol and coffee, and those that produce excessive gas = cabbage, beans, cruciferous vegetables, etc.). Advise performing physical exercise appropriate for their age and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle. If constipation predominates, it is recommended to increase fiber intake (fruits, vegetables, cereals, salads, etc.).
Medications: Only when the severity of symptoms warrants it. They are aimed at controlling the predominant symptom and for a limited period of time. They may include spasm inhibitors (antispasmodics), motility stimulants (prokinetics), antidiarrheals, laxatives, antidepressants, and anxiolytics. Each of them has its own “pros” and “cons.”
Psychotherapy: Of great value for this type of patient. Emotional factors play a predominant role in triggering the condition.
Phytotherapeutic Treatment: Notable in the management of this condition are plants rich in mucilage, which serve a modulatory function for intestinal rhythm. This means that in cases of constipation, they help ease bowel movements; and in cases of diarrhea, they help reduce intestinal inflammation and decrease peristalsis. Among these plants, psyllium or ispaghula (Plantago psyllum) stands out, whose seeds are rich in mucilage. For adults, 10–30 g/day is recommended, and for children aged 6–12 years, half the dose. In cases of diarrhea, adults may take up to 40 g/day. They should be taken with plenty of fluids.
With similar characteristics appears ispagul (Plantago ovata) whose seeds and cuticles (the seed husks) are also rich in mucilages (20-30%). As a laxative they are administered at a rate of 3.5 g between 1-3 times a day. In diarrheas: 20-30 g per day. They can even be administered in hypercholesterolemias (10 g per day). Our plantagos known in Argentina as llantenes (Plantago major, Plantago lanceolata), contain little mucilage (6% which is found fundamentally in the leaves), compared to the other plantagos. They are used mostly for respiratory system conditions and topically as anti-inflammatories.
Another very useful plant in irritable colon is Mentha x piperita, whose essential oil has an important antispasmodic effect and inhibits the stimuli that reach the myenteric plexuses. This essential oil (1-3%) is found fundamentally in the leaves, being rich in menthol (40-45%). If the pure essential oil is to be administered, it will be done internally, at a rate of 0.2-0.4 ml, 3 times a day, in dilutions or suspensions (enteric-coated capsules will be preferred). There are already products on the market based on capsules of this essential oil.
Finally, a flavonoid known as quercetin is usually recommended, which is found in elderberry, guava, onions, apples, spinach, blueberries, propolis, etc. Quercetin plays an excellent role as an intestinal antispasmodic, being especially indicated in irritable colon with predominance of diarrheas. It also presents a very good inhibitory effect on enterobacteria. Products based on guava tablets standardized in quercetin have already appeared on the market.
