People who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-24 per cent of all women and 19 per cent of all men-can sometimes feel like walking medical experiments.

Conventional treatments for IBS range from bulk laxatives to bran and stool softeners. You may be given codeine to slow down the action of the gut, or metoclopramide (Maxolon, Gastromax) to help stimulate it. Some doctors prescribe antispasm drugs like mebeverine (Colofac) or alverine (Spasmonal). Others recommend charcoal or peppermint oil.

Over one-third of the UK population suffer from some symptoms of IBS and 15 per cent have symptoms serious enough to consult medical advice. Likewise some 20 per cent of Americans have suffered from IBS. It accounts for about half of all patient-reported gastrointestinal (GI) complaints and half of all referrals to GI specialists.

In spite of this, IBS-also called spastic colon-is a mystery to many conventional doctors. While the GI tract is clearly not working well, laboratory investigations are usually fruitless, revealing no anatomical or pathological causes for the problem. Stool tests, for example, usually result in no significant findings: no blood, no excess white cells, no parasites and no bacteria.

This free Guide to Irritable Bowel Syndrome reveals the truth about IBS and alternative treatments that are proven to work.

Included in the IBS Guide:

• IBS and diet
• Hypnotherapy and IBS
• Herbal treatments for IBS
• Constipation
• "To keep things moving" checklist
• IBS and fluoride

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