IBgard - Rapid, Effective Relief for IBS Symptoms - a Patient Expert Review

IBgard ® an over-the-counter medical
food for relief of symptoms of
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

My Story

I had previously contracted a particularly nasty pathogenic bacteria called Clostridium Difficile (C-diff).  I was one of the unfortunate 20-30% of people who got recurrent C-diff infections (CDI).

The recurrent CDIs eventually led to a sundry of other gastrointestinal (GI) problems including a persistent and severe case of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

The subtype of IBS that I suffer with is IBS-D or Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?



My IBS-D Symptoms

The symptoms of IBS-D that I experienced, on a daily basis, for over 10 months were:
Bristol Stool Form Scale / Chart used to Assess/Diagnose
 IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)


  • Painful cramps in my lower abdomen, which usually preceded a bowel movement
  • Abdominal discomfort, bloating and swelling
  • Sudden and urgent need to move bowels 
  • Sense of incomplete evacuation
  • Abnormally frequent bowel movements, usually six to ten a day on "good" days, more on "bad" days
  • Watery (entirely liquid) or very loose stools - number 6 oand 7 on the Bristol Stool Form Scale
  • Chronic dehydration
  • Undigested food in stool
  • Malnutrition
  • Occasional heartburn and nausea
  • Chronic insomnia
  • Chronic fatigue



Research & Experiments

The recurrent CDIs, subsequent IBS-D and other GI disorders completely changed my life.  For months on end, I was unable to even briefly leave the house, I couldn't sleep and I was chronically fatigued.  

Prior to this, I was already studying health and nutrition but after my first CDI, I turned my complete attention to researching and learning everything I could about healthy and abnormal gut function including  all the various gut and digestive diseases, disorders and conditions.  

For my IBS-D, I tried many of the recommended natural and alternative therapies, including diet and lifestyle modification, various dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, etc.) and herbs.  While my ultimate goal was to heal my gut, I knew, based on my research that with IBS-D, that the more immediate goal is to address and control the diarrhea.



How I Learned about IBgard ®
IBgard® peppermint oil capsule for
IBS symptom relief

I first heard about IBgard while listening to an episode called "Understanding IBS" on VoiceAmerica. In the interview, one of the medical doctors, Dr. Paul Feuerstadt, MD, a gastroenterologist, mentioned that he uses IBgard ®  in some patients with IBS-D.

Thereafter, I looked it up and did my own research.
I found that IBgard® :

  • Is a medical food specially formulated for the dietary management of IBS
  • IBgard ® capsules contain individually triple-coated , sustained-release microspheres of Ultramen ®, an ultra-purified peppermint oil
  • Can help to normalize digestion of food and absorption of nutrients
  • Can help to manage symptoms of IBS including diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating
  • Can help to promote bacterial balance in the small intestine
For more detailed information, including IBS dietary and other management options, peppermint oil and  IBgard ® clincial data, FAQ and news, please visit IBgard (IM HealthScience ®).


My Personal Experience Trying  IBgard ®

IBgard ® an over-the-counter medical food
for relief of symptoms of
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Being desperate for some, any, relief from the diarrhea, I practically ran out to my local Walgreen's and purchased and began using IBgard ® immediately.  Honestly, based on my previous experience with other products, I wasn't expecting much.  But, to my surprise and utter delight, I experienced a significant relief from my symptoms about 28 hours later.  This reduction in symptoms included fewer bowel movements overall, less abdominal cramps and bloating.  About 48 hours after that, I had my first formed stool in months.

For about a week, I had to experiment with dosage and ultimately found my own, personal sweet spot at 4 capsules a day - 2 capsules before my main, large meal, and 1 capsule before two smaller meals.

I am also happy to report that I do not experience any side effects from using IBgard ®.

Although IBgard ® has not completely eliminated all my severe IBS-D symptoms, it has radically improved them in a very short amount of time.  I will continue to use it while I continue to research and learn about my multiple digestive disorders, hopefully, eventually succeeding at healing my gut.

In the meantime, IBgard ® has been a life-saver for me in terms of greatly improving the quality of my life.  I now have less stress about venturing out of the house, about absorbing nutrients, and chronic dehydration.

Disclaimer and Disclosure

Disclaimer:    

Nothing in this post or blog is intended or should be construed as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.   All content herein is for informational purposes only.  Specifically, this post reflects my own, personal experience with using IBgard ® which I decided to share in hopes of raising awareness of this product and its potential to help sufferers of IBS.

You should consult with and seek the advise of a physician or qualified healthcare professional before taking any supplements, herbs or over-the-counter medicine; modifying, restricting or altering your food, beverage or supplement intake; starting an exercise or diet program; or making any dietary, nutritional, exercise or lifestyle changes in order to determine it is right and advisable for your individual needs.

Disclosure:

I am an affiliate of Amazon.  Clicking on some of the pictures or links in this post and blog, may take you to the Amazon website.  If you complete a purchase on Amazon, I may receive a small commission.  

Specifically in regard to IBgard ®, I priced this product at my local Walgreens, CVS and on various websites online.  At the time of writing this post, Amazon offers IBgard ® as part of its "Subscribe & Save" program which allows you to save from 5-15%.  I have found this to be the best price at this time.

Also, coupons for IBgard ® are currently often being offered in local newspapers and a printable coupon is currently being offered on their website, IBgard.com - Special Offers.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome ( IBS ) ?

IBS ( Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Statistics, Causes,
Triggers, Diet and Treatment
Infographic from Alphega-Pharmacy
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract (GI).

IBS is considered to be a digestive disorder and is characterized by a collection of symptoms, ranging in severity from mild (about 40% of cases), moderate (about 35% of cases), to severe (about 25% of cases).


Prevalence

In the United States, IBS is the most common disorder diagnosed by gastroenterologists (physicians who specialize in digestive disorders and diseases) and is estimated to account for up to 12% of total visits to primary care providers.

IBS is estimated to affect up to 20% of  the US and the UK adult population.   However, it is also estimated that a large percentage (as many as 75%) of individuals suffering from IBS go undiagnosed.

IBS appears to be more common in women than in men, with about 35-40% of IBS cases reported by males and 60-60% reported by females.


IBS Subtypes

The recently revised Rome III Diagnostic Criteria defines four IBS subtypes based on the predominant stool pattern (volume, consistency and frequency) in the patient:

  1. IBS with Constipation (IBS-C)
  2. IBS with Diarrhea (IBS-D)
  3. Mixed IBS (IBS-M)
  4. Unsubtyped IBS (insufficient abnormality of stool consistency to meet criteria for IBS-C, IBS-D, or IBS-M)
For more information on each of these subtypes and their clinical diagnosis, etc., please use the link above for the Rome III Diagnostic Criteria.




Symptoms Common to All Subtypes

Symptoms common to all IBS subtypes often occur with 90 minutes after eating, which is approximately the amount of time that it takes for food to reach the small intestine and generally include the following GI-related symptoms:

  • Pain or discomfort in the abdomen, usually occurring in the lower abdomen and described as a cramps or a cramp-like sensation, which is often relieved by or associated with a bowel movement
  • Bloated or swollen abdomen
  • Recurring diarrhea, constipation or a combination of both
  • In some individuals, whitish mucus in the stool
  • In some individuals, a feeling of an incomplete bowel movement
  • In some individuals, upper GI symptoms including heartburn and nausea
  • In some individuals, non-GI symptoms including headaches, urinary urgency/frequency, sexual dysfunction and sleep-related disturbances


Bristol Stool Form Scale / Chart
IBS-C  Bowel Symptoms

Symptoms specific to IBS-C include:

  • Delayed or infrequent bowel movements
  • Separate hard pellets or lumps or lumpy sausage shaped stools that are difficult to pass in at least 25% of the bowel movements - number 1 or 2 on the Bristol Stool Form Scale)
  • Watery or mushy stools account for less than 25% of bowel movements


IBS-D  Bowel Symptoms

Symptoms specific to IBS-D include:

  • An urgent need to move bowels
  • Abnormally frequent bowel movements
  • Watery (entirely liquid) or loose stools (fluffy pieces with ragged edges, mushy) in at least 25% of the bowel movements - number 6 or 7 on the Bristol Stool Form Scale
  • Hard, lumpy stools account for less than 25% of bowel movements
  • Undigested food in stool


IBS-M  Bowel Symptoms

IBS-M bowel symptoms alternate between IBS-D and IBS-C, with at least 25% of bowel movements being hard or lumpy (Bristol Stool Form Scale number 1 or 2) and at least 25% of bowel movements being loose, watery or mush (Bristol Stool Form Scale number 6 or 7).

Causes

The exact cause of IBS is not completely known or understood.  Possible factors include:

  • Genetic predisposition
  • Intestinal (bacterial) infection
  • Trauma
  • Chronic stress 
  • Psychosocial factors
  • Disturbances in colonic motility (muscle contractions)
  • Disruptions in brain-gut communication
  • Food allergies or sensitivities
  • Yeast (Candida) overgrowth
  • Parasites
  • Gut microbiome imbalances
  • Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
  • Leaky Gut 

Treatment

Treatment varies depending upon the IBS subtype, severity and other factors.  Treatment can include:
  • Prescription and OTC (Over the Counter) Drugs (anticholinergic and antispasmodic medications, anti-diarrheal agents, laxatives, anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications
  • Biotics (probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics)
  • Dietary Modifications (elimination diet, FODMAPs, food combining, fiber supplementation)
  • Counseling (psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy)
  • Natural Remedies and Alternative Therapies (acupuncture, hypnosis, dietary supplements, herbs and essential oils)
  • Stress Management (meditation, relaxation training, yoga)
IBgard ® - Medicinal Food 
for Managementof IBS


IBgard REALLY Helped Me


I have suffered with IBS-D for a very long time, following a bacterial gut infection and complications therefrom.  After trying many of the treatments referred to above, with no measurable improvement in my symptoms, I tried IBgard ® and almost immediately experienced amazing results in the form of relief of symptoms that had been plaguing me daily.

IBgard is a medical food for the dietary management of IBS, available over the counter without a prescription on Amazon, or at Walgreens, CVS and other retailers.

Read about my personal experience and my review of IBgard®.



Infographic Source

Infographic source and for more information about IBS and other health related topics, please visit Alphega Pharmacy.


Related




Vitamin D Top 3 Health Benefits [Infographic]

Vitamin D Top 3 Health Benefits
Infographic from Health with a Bite of Science



What is Vitamin D

Vitamin D acts as a hormone and is thought to play an important role in many human body functions and systems including the vascular, digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems.

It also plays a role in bone and skin health, and in body weight management (including carbohydrate and fat metabolism).


Vitamin D and Health

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with many medical conditions and chronic diseases including bone loss, kidney disease, digestive issues, lung disorders, diabetes and and heart disease.


Heart Health

A growing number of studies point to Vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery disease.


Autoimmune Diseases

There are also number of recent studies indicating a link between Vitamin D deficiency and higher rates or autoimmune disorders and diseases including Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Type I Diabetes Mellitus and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) which include Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease.


Infographic

This infographic from Health with a Bite of Science summarizes three health benefits of Vitamin D.  To read the full article, please visit Top 3 Benefits of Vitamin D.


Related


Periodic Table of Vitamins
10 Daily Nutrients
Supplements vs. Food Visual Guide
Guide to Optimizing Vitamin and Supplements







Chamomile Health Benefits [Infographic]

Chamomile Health Benefits - Infographic from Dr. Josh Axe
Traditional Natural Remedy

Chamomile is perhaps best known for its calming effects on the mind, digestive system and skin.  We know that chamomile tea, extracts, tinctures and salve has been traditionally used both internally and topically for many centuries as a natural remedy for a wide range of health ailments including the common cold, asthma, rashes, insomnia, menstrual cramps, heartburn and nausea.

Proven Health Benefits

More recently, a growing number of studies are providing evidence that certain active ingredients in chamomile may have therapeutic and medicinal value in various diseases and medical conditions.

Chamomile's anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-depressive, anti-spasmodic, anti-allergenic and anti-inflammatory agents have been studied in connection with anxiety disorders, depression, diarrhea, hyperthyroidism, insulin resistance, diabetes, inflammation, sleep disorders, and periodontitis, just to name a few.

The potent antioxidant profile of chamomile renders it one of the most versatile healing herbs known to us.

Infographic

This infographic from Dr. Josh Axe entitled "9 Chamomile Benefits" briefly explains some of the ways in which chamomile is thought to promote and improve health and vitality.

Infographic Source

To read the complete article on these benefits, as well as the history of chamomile, how to buy and use it, possible side effects and cautions and for DIY recipes, please visit Chamomile Benefits: Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Cancer (Dr. Axe).

Related

Herb Body Map
Healing Herbs and Spices
Herbs and Spices Rich in Antioxidants
10 Herbs that Heal
5 Cancer Fighting Spices (and Herbs)
6 Anti-Inflammatory Herbs




Adrenal Reset Summit - Free Online Event


Adrenal Reset Summit Free Online Event 

In this free, online event, Dr. Alan Christianson and Evan Brand interview leading doctors and health experts who share their knowledge and strategies to help participants regain their energy and health.


Specifically addressed in this online summit are the symptoms and signs of adrenal dysfunction, i.e., adrenal fatigue or insufficiency, and what an individual can do.

Some Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency:
  • Fatigue and Exhaustion
  • Body Aches
  • Food cravings & Weight Issues
  • Low Blood Pressure
  • Lack of Mental Clarity
  • Loss of Body Hair
  • Skin Discoloration (Hyperpigmentation)
For more information, to view this event for free and receive three free bonuses, visit and sign up at Adrenal Reset Summit.   Disclosure:  we are not an affiliate nor compensated in any way for this post.

The Summit Hosts

Alan Christianson, NMD - Website
Alan Christianson is a New York Times Bestselling Author and a Phoenix, Arizona-based Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD) who specializes in natural endocrinology with a focus on thyroid disorders.
Evan Brand, BCHN, CFMP, NTP - Website
Evan Brand is an Author, Podcast Host and a Louisville, Kentucky-based Board-Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, Nutritional Therapist and Personal Trainer.
The Summit Experts

Tom O’ Bryan, DC, CCN, DACBN - Website
Adrenals and Gluten Exposure
  • The gluten effect
  • How adrenals and inflammation relate
  • The truth about gluten-free diets
Dr. Josh Axe, DNM, DC, CNS - Website
Essential Oils for Healthy Adrenals
  • Worst foods for adrenal stress and gut microbiome
  • Best foods for healing the adrenals
  • Dirt, honey and other specific foods for healing adrenals
Chris Kresser, L.Ac - Website
Is Adrenal Fatigue a Real Thing? 
  • Adrenal fatigue doesn’t exist?
  • If stress doesn’t lead to adrenal fatigue, how does it affect our bodies?
  • What specifically are the main issues with the adrenal fatigue hypothesis?
  • If we don’t call it adrenal fatigue. what should we call it?
Trudy Scott, CN - Website
Adrenals and Anxiety
  • Why women are more likely to experience adrenal issues
  • How zinc and copper imbalance affects adrenals
  • Low serotonin and GABA level symptoms
Stephanie Gaudreau, CHNP - Website
Perfectionism and Adrenals
  • Social media and adrenal health
  • Perfectionism and fatigue
  • The words you use that affect your adrenals (hint: you can change them!)
Aviva Romm, MD - Website
Steroid Use and Best Adrenal Adaptogens
  • Steroid use and adrenal fatigue
  • Blood sugar adrenal balance
  • Adrenal adaptogenic herbs
Ben Lynch, ND - Website
MTHFR Defects and Adrenal Dysfunction
  • MTHFR genetic defects and the effects on your neurotransmitters
  • Why you should limit WiFi and Data use on Smartphones
  • How your memory is affected by adrenal stress
Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP - Websites
Hashimotos, Thyroid Adrenal Connection
  • Hashimoto’s adrenal fatigue link
  • Stages of adrenal fatigue
  • Steroid use and HPA axis
Justin Marchegiani, DC - Website
Conventional vs Functional Medicine
  • Why does conventional medicine ignore adrenal health?
  • How do conventional and functional health protocols vary?
  • The functional medicine approach to healthy adrenals
Sarah Ballantyne, PhD - Website
Finding Work Life Balance
  • How Sarah’s hard work ethic led to adrenal dysfunction
  • Balancing the mom-life and work life, is it possible?
  • The road to recovery for healthy adrenals
Ben Greenfield, MS - Website
Social Connection and Adrenals

  • High cortisol vs low cortisol
  • DUTCH testing vs saliva testing
  • The importance of relationships for adrenal health

Jack Wolfson, DO - Website
HRV and Adrenals
  • Sleep deprivation and cardiovascular risks
  • HRV (Heart Rate Variability) and balancing the nervous system
  • Atrial fibrillation and other cardiovascular symptoms
Mark Hyman, MD - Website
Mindset for Healthy Adrenals
  • Mark’s 25 year experience with adrenal fatigue
  • The “Monkey Mind” that sabotages your adrenals
  • The mindset required to heal your adrenals
Michael Murray, ND - Website
Adrenals and Natural Medicine

  • The modern world and how it can sacrifice our stress response
  • Omega 3 deficiency and stress response issues
  • Plant consumption and protecting against oxidative damage

Wendy Myers, FDN, CHHC - Website
Heavy Metal Toxicity
  • Why everyone has heavy metal toxicity
  • The dirty secret of the gasoline industry
  • How adrenal fatigue is healed by heavy metal detox
Ari Whitten - Website
Maximal Energy & Permanent Fat Loss
  • Hormesis, the missing component of your healing program
  • The role of exercise and internal antioxidant system
  • Phytonutrient variety in your diet program
Dan Kalish, DC - Website
Adrenal, Neurotransmitter and Spiritual Health 
  • Neurotransmitters affected by stress
  • How spiritual health relates to adrenals
  • Healing your adrenals in our modern world
Mike Mutzel, MS - Website
Belly Fat and Cortisol, Leptin Resistance 
  • How leptin and grelin control your stress eating
  • Hormone resistance and how to fix it
  • Adrenal health diet
Peter Osborne, DC - Website
Adrenal, Grain, Autoimmune Connection 
  • How gluten affect hormones
  • Grain-induced inflammation
  • Pain medication, leaky gut and adrenal stress
James Wilson, DC, ND, PhD - Website
History of Stress and Adrenal Fatigue
  • Hans Selye and hypoadrenia
  • “80% suffer from adrenal fatigue, 20% are in denial!”
  • How long does it take to treat adrenal fatigue fully?
David Brady, ND - Website
Stages of Adrenal Dysfunction 
  • The truth about Fibromyalgia and adrenals
  • Misdiagnoses and Fibromyalgia
  • Why Fibromyalgia drugs don’t work for many patients
Steven Masley, MD - Website
Heart Health and Adrenals
  • How a cardiology expert investigates adrenal health
  • Heart rate variability and adrenals
  • The importance and amount of fiber and quality fats to eat
Bridgit Danner, L.Ac, FDNP - Website
Adrenals and Female Hormones
  • The stages of hormones through a woman’s life
  • Societal pressure on women towards motherhood and careers
  • Pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and adrenal fatigue
Ritamarie Loscalzo, DC, CCN, DACBN - Website
Insulin Resistance and Stress
  • How blood sugar issues tax the adrenals
  • Environmental toxins and adrenal stress
  • Best foods to nourish the adrenals
JJ Virgin, CNS, CHFS -  Website
Preventing Adrenal Burnout
  • Chronic vs acute stress on adrenal health
  • The wrong time to heal your adrenals
  • How low-carb diets stress the adrenals
Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP - Website
Your History of Stress
  • ACE score and historical stress
  • Childhood traumas and adrenal fatigue
  • Natural sweeteners and adrenal stress
Sarah Fragoso - Website
Self-First Health
  • Selfish vs Self-first
  • Overtraining and adrenal stress
  • Learning to say no
Anna Cabeca, DO - Website
Adrenals and Menopause
  • How hysterectomies and birth control pills make hormone problems worse
  • Alkalinity and hormones
  • Painful sex and the hormonal and topical solution
Michael Breus, Ph.D. - Website
Sleep and Adrenals
  • How poor sleep affects metabolism
  • Stress and brain health
  • How to lose weight with sleep
Julia Ross, MFT - Website
Neurotransmitters and the Food Mood Connection
  • How poor sleep affects neurotransmitters
  • Stress and neurotransmitter imbalance
  • The truth about cortisol
Nora Gedgaudas, CNS, CNT - Website
The Adrenal Myth
  • Rethinking fatigue
  • Ancestral nutrition for adrenals
  • Neurofeedback and adrenal health
Niki Gratix, mBANT, CNHC - Website
The Role of Trauma and Adrenals
  • Prevalence of emotional trauma as cause of adrenal fatigue
  • Mechanisms - how emotional trauma impacts body and mind
  • 5 Steps to healing emotional trauma
Eric Windheim, BA, EMRS, BBEC - Website
EMF and Adrenal Fatigue
  • The various sources of EMF you’re exposed to
  • How EMF affects your immune system
  • EMF and adrenal fatigue
Katie Wellness Mama - Website
Motherhood and Adrenals
  • The systems approach to life and parenthood
  • Batch cooking for adrenal health (and sanity!)
  • Natural exercise, outdoors exposure




Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...