Irritable bowel syndrome can be a difficult condition to manage. Since there's no certainty about the exact causes, it's not always easy to find treatments that work, and cases can differ greatly from one person to the next. It can take some time to work out which medications work for you and which don't and to perfect a plan of action that helps you minimise flare-ups and discomfort.
When you're in the process of personalising your treatment regimen, it's important not to leave your pharmacist out of the loop. And, while all pharmacists can give you useful advice, finding a pharmacy that offers compounding services is the best way to tailor your medication to your personal needs. Here are the ways they can help you find effective treatment faster.
Excluding irritating ingredients
Medicines contain several substances in addition to their main active ingredient, and some of these can be irritating to the digestive system. If you have IBS, it's obviously best to avoid anything that could exacerbate the problem, but it's not possible with standard medication.
A compounding pharmacist can formulate your medicine to avoid additions that you are—or might be—sensitive to.
Tailoring medicine to your symptoms
Take two people with IBS and compare their symptoms and, in some cases, it would seem as though they have different conditions. IBS is characterised, as its name suggests, by irritation in the bowel, but this may manifest as a varied collection of symptoms like bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain and more. Its severity can also vary between people and on different days.
By using compounding techniques, a pharmacist can combine medicines to cover your particular range of symptoms, bringing you maximum relief.
Including probiotics in the mix
Probiotics are microorganisms that are beneficial to your digestive system. Taking them regularly can ease some of the symptoms associated with IBS, and may make the condition more manageable in the long term. They can also prevent or limit the diarrhoea people sometimes get when taking antibiotics.
Ask your pharmacist about incorporating probiotics into your medication. They may also be able to recommend specific varieties to maximise how effective they are.
Supplying useful supplements
There's some good evidence that certain vitamins, minerals and other supplements can be beneficial to people with irritable bowel syndrome, so it's a good idea to include them in your diet.
A compounding pharmacist can make recommendations and create your own personalised cocktail. They can also ensure they're easy for your body to absorb, and that they won't cause extra irritation. It's even possible to get extra fibre through supplements, which is an essential part of your diet if you suffer from IBS.
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