This drug could cure IBS?
It is most common complaint of Great Britain and digestive affects one third of the population at some point in their lives.
Twice as many women are affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) as men - more than one in five at a time.
But patients complain there is little effective treatment for the disease.
But now a new drug may be about to bring new hope for one in four patients.
The treatment - called Tegaserod until its mark is determined - is based on research linking the disease with chemical serotonin in the body naturally.
It is currently on trial and if approved by the Medicines Control, an agency that licenses all drugs in England, could become available by prescription in October.
IBS is a chronic disorder of the intestine that can lead to depression, nausea, embarrassment and constant tiredness.
Classic symptoms include severe abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, stomach bloating, headaches, back pain and excessive wind.
While some people suffer all these symptoms, patients are usually divided into three groups: those suffering from diarrhea, constipation, those who suffer and those who suffer.
The new treatment should be particularly useful for patients who suffer badly with constipation.
Although most assume the disease causes only minor health problems, hundreds of patients complain that IBS affects your ability to lead a normal life.
More than two fifths of sufferers say it affects their ability to work, live, travel and eat certain foods. The condition can even affect their sex lives.
Typical foods trigger IBS are associated with high-fiber foods and spicy, like curry and cous cous. But patients say nothing of dairy products to fruits and vegetables can trigger an attack.
Hundreds of patients have symptoms so severe they are hospitalized in the UK each year. Moreover, he was known by sufferers, driven by a horrible pain to commit suicide.
Despite the large number of patients, yet very little conclusive research has been conducted on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of IBS.
However recent studies on serotonin - one of the body's natural chemicals thought to aid digestion - is proving to be a breakthrough for sufferers of IBS.
Dr. Alasdair Forbes, a gastroenterologist at St Mark's Hospital, London, who is conducting the tests, says the new treatment will help regulate certain chemical processes in the intestine.
The new drug is said to stimulate serotonin receptors in the gut. This has the effect of relieving pain and stimulates the bowel to work more quickly.
Although the drug is not a miracle cure, Dr. Forbes says he was found to improve symptoms in 15 percent more than other conventional drugs.
"We believe that one in four patients with the syndrome will benefit from the drug," he said. "Serotonin is an important advance in IBS research and is beginning to bear fruit."
Dr. Forbes admits IBS sufferers are often dismissed by doctors, but says the future is looking brighter.
"There could be an effective treatment on the horizon, and finally, the suffering is being taken seriously by gastroentologists," he said.
A spokesman for the Control of Medicines, said: "If the safety and efficacy of the product meets the relevant criteria required by the MCA, then it will be granted."
The new drug has the endorsement of the digestive disorder Foundation.
"This is a very exciting development for people suffering from IBS," says spokeswoman Rhonda Smith.
"The evidence so far suggests it could be an effective treatment in the future. However, the drug is suitable for people suffering from constipation dominant IBS. It is important to note that not all IBS sufferers will benefit from the drug."
Learn more about Cure Irritable Bowel Syndrome without any Pills, Potions or crazy Diets. Stop by our site where you can find out all about IBS Eliminated.
Twice as many women are affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) as men - more than one in five at a time.
But patients complain there is little effective treatment for the disease.
But now a new drug may be about to bring new hope for one in four patients.
The treatment - called Tegaserod until its mark is determined - is based on research linking the disease with chemical serotonin in the body naturally.
It is currently on trial and if approved by the Medicines Control, an agency that licenses all drugs in England, could become available by prescription in October.
IBS is a chronic disorder of the intestine that can lead to depression, nausea, embarrassment and constant tiredness.
Classic symptoms include severe abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, stomach bloating, headaches, back pain and excessive wind.
While some people suffer all these symptoms, patients are usually divided into three groups: those suffering from diarrhea, constipation, those who suffer and those who suffer.
The new treatment should be particularly useful for patients who suffer badly with constipation.
Although most assume the disease causes only minor health problems, hundreds of patients complain that IBS affects your ability to lead a normal life.
More than two fifths of sufferers say it affects their ability to work, live, travel and eat certain foods. The condition can even affect their sex lives.
Typical foods trigger IBS are associated with high-fiber foods and spicy, like curry and cous cous. But patients say nothing of dairy products to fruits and vegetables can trigger an attack.
Hundreds of patients have symptoms so severe they are hospitalized in the UK each year. Moreover, he was known by sufferers, driven by a horrible pain to commit suicide.
Despite the large number of patients, yet very little conclusive research has been conducted on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of IBS.
However recent studies on serotonin - one of the body's natural chemicals thought to aid digestion - is proving to be a breakthrough for sufferers of IBS.
Dr. Alasdair Forbes, a gastroenterologist at St Mark's Hospital, London, who is conducting the tests, says the new treatment will help regulate certain chemical processes in the intestine.
The new drug is said to stimulate serotonin receptors in the gut. This has the effect of relieving pain and stimulates the bowel to work more quickly.
Although the drug is not a miracle cure, Dr. Forbes says he was found to improve symptoms in 15 percent more than other conventional drugs.
"We believe that one in four patients with the syndrome will benefit from the drug," he said. "Serotonin is an important advance in IBS research and is beginning to bear fruit."
Dr. Forbes admits IBS sufferers are often dismissed by doctors, but says the future is looking brighter.
"There could be an effective treatment on the horizon, and finally, the suffering is being taken seriously by gastroentologists," he said.
A spokesman for the Control of Medicines, said: "If the safety and efficacy of the product meets the relevant criteria required by the MCA, then it will be granted."
The new drug has the endorsement of the digestive disorder Foundation.
"This is a very exciting development for people suffering from IBS," says spokeswoman Rhonda Smith.
"The evidence so far suggests it could be an effective treatment in the future. However, the drug is suitable for people suffering from constipation dominant IBS. It is important to note that not all IBS sufferers will benefit from the drug."
Learn more about Cure Irritable Bowel Syndrome without any Pills, Potions or crazy Diets. Stop by our site where you can find out all about IBS Eliminated.
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