| [ Summary ] |
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), which is thought to be one of the physical expressions of the chronic stress of modern life, can be controlled by selecting herbal medicines,i.e. 'Kampo-yaku', suited to the patient's complaints, physique and constitution. To choose the most appropriate medicine for patients with IBS, it is important to ascertain their defecation patterns (constipation, diarrhea, or alternation between the two), diet and lifestyle.
Herein, the definition, diagnosis, physiological and psychological mechanisms of the syndrome are reviewed, and how to select Kampo-yaku for IBS is described. For IBS with an alternating defecation pattern, basically, Keishi-ka-syakuyaku-to (NO.60) is used, irrespective of the patient's physique, constitution. |