Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a classic psychosomatic diseasethat occurs as a result of a special personality type's reaction to stressful experiences. In the International Classification of Diseases, this syndrome is classified under the heading of mental disorders - "somatoform dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system of the lower gastrointestinal tract".
IBS is one of the most common categories of gastroenterological disorders. Various variants of this disease are currently diagnosed in 10-20% of the world's population. As a rule, it is chronic and can last for many years.
The disease is most often manifested by abdominal discomfort, flatulence, abdominal pain of varying intensity and frequency, and bowel movements disorders in the form of diarrhea and constipation, often with mucus discharge. These disorders are mostly attack-like and are associated with the patient's emotional state.
IBS is often accompanied by gastroesophageal reflux disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, headacheand back pain.
Studies show that a significant number of patients with IBS have such personality traits as anxious distrustfulness, punctuality, pedantry, moralism, difficulty in verbalizing their emotions (alexithymia), a tendency to obsessive reactions, and dependence on the opinions of significant others. The frequent onset of gastrointestinal discomfort in childhood as a reaction to dysfunctional relationships with parents was noted.
Acute or chronic stress, like many others chronic pain syndromesis usually the trigger for this disease and the cause of its relapses. Panic disorder, anxiety і depression are found in 50-60% of patients, with anxiety manifesting itself in the initial stages of the disease, and depression joining after a while. Therefore, a timely and qualified assessment of the mental state in this disease is the basis for the success of patient treatment.
Scientists note the closest relationship between the brain-gut axis and the need for targeted therapeutic intervention on both the somatic and psycho-emotional components of IBS. At the same time, the use of gut-oriented drugs alone can only lead to a temporary improvement in the condition and contributes to the chronicization of the disease. Therefore, modern treatment of IBS includes psychotherapy, nutritional recommendations, prescription of medications and the use of various additional methods, which will be discussed below.
The danger of ineffective treatment of IBS is that it can develop into ulcerative colitis (UC), a pathological condition of the intestine based on a chronic inflammatory process. While IBS is accompanied by functional changes only, ulcerative colitis results in an organic defect of the intestinal mucosa, which is much more serious. Increased frequency of stool up to 20-40 times, mucus and blood in the stool, tenesmus (cutting pain with futile urge to defecate), deterioration of the general condition are the main signs of nonspecific colitis with ulcerative damage to the intestinal wall.
In our experience, a combination of psychotherapy with transcranial electrical stimulation (TENS), which helps to normalize the overexcited parts of the brain associated with the intestines.
A promising treatment for inflammation and pain associated with IBS and UC is infusion treatment with ketamine. It has been shown that visceral (gastrointestinal) pain is associated with NMDA receptors, which are effectively affected by ketamine. It has also been found that this drug can reduce visceral hypersensitivity. Therefore, in irritable bowel syndrome and UC, it is advisable to use ketamine therapy in conjunction with psychotherapy and TENS.
By combining psychotherapy with ketamine infusions, transcranial electrical stimulation (TENS), Neurohelp brain rehabilitation, body-oriented therapy, and art therapy, patients' health can be significantly improved.
