Management Of Chronic Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, long-term condition of the digestive system. Symptoms can include stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and/or constipation. The condition is often lifelong, although the symptoms may change over time. With the right strategies, IBS can be successfully managed. IBS does not pose a serious threat to your physical health and does not increase your chances of developing cancer or other bowel-related conditions. The exact cause of IBS is unknown. Many causes have been suggested but none have been proven to lead to IBS.

Constipation is a prevalent problem among Medicare participants, whose prevalence tends to rise with age. According to an article released by the National Institutes of Health, constipation affects 26% of women and 14% of men aged 65 and older. Constipation is prevalent in 34% of women and 26% of men aged 84 years and older, according to the findings. This substantially jumps to 80% of long-term care residents.

Within each plan, medications are classified into tiers. The out-of-pocket cost for a Medicare recipient depends on a number of variables, including the tier in which the drug is listed, whether or not the pharmacy is in network, whether or not the purchase is made by bulk mail order, and the amount of the plan deductible. Extra Help is a service that may subsidize the cost of your prescription based on your financial circumstances if you cannot afford it.

Main Symptoms Of IBS

The most common symptoms of IBS include:

Abdominal (stomach) pain and cramping, which may be relieved by moving your bowels
A change in your bowel habits – such as diarrhoea, constipation or sometimes both
Bloating and swelling of your stomach
Excessive wind (flatulence)
Occasionally experiencing an urgent need to move your bowels

Drug Used In The Management Of IBS

Linzess is a prescription medication used to treat chronic constipation or chronic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in patients whose primary symptom has been constipation. Linzess functions by boosting chloride and water secretion in the intestines, which can soften stools and encourage bowel motions. The safety and efficacy of Linzess in patients under the age of 18 have not been demonstrated. It is encouraged that Linzess cost should be checked before refilling the prescription and see if there is a discount.

How Should I Take Linzess?

Take Linzess on an empty stomach in the morning, at least 30 minutes before your first meal. Do not crush, chew, break, or open the capsule, and swallow it whole. If you are unable to swallow a capsule whole, you may open it and sprinkle the contents into a teaspoon of applesauce or bottled water. Immediately ingest the combination without chewing. It cannot be saved for subsequent use.

If necessary, the Linzess capsule’s contents can be administered by a nasogastric (NG) or gastronomy tube.

Follow the directions carefully when combining the contents of the capsule with applesauce or water, or when administering the medication through a feeding tube.