Is Ginger Effective for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Constipation Crystal L.

When to see a doctor

IBS can either be mild or severe, it is best to contact your doctor if you’re experiencing persistent symptoms of IBS that are interfering with your daily life. You should also see your doctor if you experience a change in symptoms or if you’re dealing with a new symptom.

Your doctor may recommend making dietary and lifestyle changes to help ease your symptoms. They may also recommend medications such as:

alosetron hydrochloride (Lotronex) for diarrhea-predominant IBS
eluxadoline (Viberzi) for diarrhea-predominant IBS
lubiprostone (Amitiza) for constipation-predominant IBS
rifaximin (Xifaxan) for diarrhea-predominant IBS

To treat specific symptoms, your doctor may recommend:

antidepressants
anti-diarrheal medication
antispasmodics
bile acid sequestrants
fiber supplements
laxatives
probiotics [8]

Conclusion

IBS is a common digestive disorder that causes symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, gas, and cramping. There’s no specific cure for IBS, but certain treatments can help ease the symptoms that are associated with it.

Some people find that ginger helps ease some of their IBS symptoms, but more research is required to help confirm its potential benefit and the best daily dose.

Consuming ginger is generally safe and rarely causes serious side effects. It may be worth taking 1 or 2 grams of ginger per day to see if it helps ease your condition.

References

[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350825

[2] https://www.healthline.com/health/diarrhea

[3] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4059-constipation

[4] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-979/caffeine

[5] https://www.monashfodmap.com/about-fodmap-and-ibs/

[6] https://examine.com/supplements/curcumin/

[7] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9151

[8] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/probiotics-101

Crystal L. April 7, 2022

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