Spastic colon

Dicyclomine is an anfispasmodic agent that relieves smooth-muscle spasm of the G1 tract through anticholinergic effects and direct action on G1 smooth muscle. It is indicated in the treatment of functional bowel/irritable bowel syndrome (e.g., irritable colon, spastic colon, and mucous colitis). 

Dicyclomine hydrochloride behaves both as an antimuscarinic and a nonspecific antispasmodic agent. It is frequently employed in the treatment of irritable colon, spastic colitis, mucous colitis, spastic constipation and biliary dyskinesia. It also finds its use in the diagnosis of peptic ulcer by delaying gastric emptying process. 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that interferes with the normal functions of the colon. At various points in the past, IBS has been referred to as mucous colitis, spastic colon, irritable colon, or nervous stomach. IBS is generally described as afunctional disorder rather than a disease per se. A functional disorder involves symptoms that cannot be attributed to a specific injury, infection, or other physical problem. A functional disorder occurs because of altered physiologic processes rather than structural or biochemical defects and may be subject to nervous system influence. IBS is associated with frequent fluctuation in symptoms, loss of productivity, and decreased quality of life. Although IBS has been referred to as functional bowel disease, true functional bowel disease may be more indicative of widespread gastrointestinal involvement including (but not limited to) the colon. 

Spastic colon A synonym for irritable bowel syndrome. 

Botulinum exotoxin impedes release of neurotransmitter vesicles from cholinergic terminals at neuromuscular junctions. Botulinum exotoxin is ingested with food or, in infants, synthesized in situ by anaerobic bacteria that colonize the gut. A characteristic feature of botulinum paralysis is that the maximal force of muscle contraction increases when motor nerve electrical stimulation is repeated at low frequency, a phenomenon attributable to the recruitment of additional cholinergic vesicles with repetitive depolarization of neuromuscular presynaptic terminals. Local administration of Clostridium botulinum exotoxin is now in vogue for its cosmetic effects and is used for relief of spasticity in dystonia and cerebral palsy [21]. 

Gi effects Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea may occur, especially with maximum doses. These may be particularly troublesome in the presence of peptic ulcer or spastic colon. At toxic doses, colchicine may cause severe diarrhea, generalized vascular damage, and renal damage with hematuria and oliguria. To avoid more serious toxicity, discontinue use when these symptoms appear, regardless of whether joint pain has been relieved. 

Opiates have effects on all segments of the bowel, but effects are most pronounced on the colon. The major mechanism by which opiates produce constipation has been proposed to be prolongation of intestinal transit time by causing spastic, nonpropulsive contractions. An additional contributory mechanism may be an increase in electrolyte absorption. 

Simethicone is an antifiatulent that relieves flatulence by dispersing and preventing formation of mncns-snrronnded gas pockets in the GI tract. It is indicated in relief of painful symptoms and pressnre of excess gas in the digestive tract. It is an adjunct in treatment of many conditions in which gas retention may be a problem, snch as postoperative gaseous distention and pain, endoscopic examination, air swallowing, functional dyspepsia, peptic nicer, spastic or irritable colon, and diverticulosis. 

Aids in control of gastric secretions, visceral spasm, hypermotility in spastic colitis, spastic bladder, pylorospasm, relief of symptoms in fundional intestinal disorders, biliary and renal colic, peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, neurogenic colon, pancreatitis Adjundive treatment of peptic ulcer... 

Methixene hydrochloride besides possessing antimuscarinic properties also exhibit antihistaminic, local anaesthetic and antispasmodic actions. It is invariably employed in the management of pylorospasm, biliary dyskinesia, spastic colon, gastritis and also in duodenal ulcer. 

Emollients are contraindicated in patients with inflammatory disorders of the GI tract, such as appendicitis, ulcerative colitis, undiagnosed severe pain that could be due to an inflammation of the intestines (diverticulitis, appendicitis), pregnancy, spastic colon, or bowel obstmction. 

Somerville, K.W., C.R. Richmond, and G.D. Bell. 1984. Delayed release peppermint oil capsules (Colpermin) for the spastic colon syndrome A pharmacokinetic study. Br. /. Clin. Pharmacol. 18(4) 638-640. 

Traditional use Thin branches, bark and fruits are used in folk medicine. Fruits are used as a laxative to treat chronic constipation, and the treatment starts to take effect 8-10 h after ingestion. A decoction of the fruits, with the addition of dairy whey, oil, and baking soda is used as a laxative for atonic and spastic constipation, and is used as a stool softener for cases of hemorrhoids and wounds to the colon. An infusion of the fruits in vodka is used externally to treat rheumatism. A decoction of the branches is used internally to treat ulcers and externally, as a compress to heal wounds. A decoction of the bark is used to treat stomach catarrh, low acidity of the stomach, and Polish plait (Maznev 2004). 

Due to the stimulant effect of these laxatives, they are contraindicated in irritable/spastic colon conditions. A slight overdose can produce griping and discomfort, an effect that is generally connter-balanced by the presence of carminatives such as peppermint or coriander oil. It is unwise to rely on these remedies alone when... 

Spastic colitis— The main sign of this condition, which is also called irritable colon, is irregular, abnormally rapid movements of the bowels. The most common symptoms are (1) various types of abdominal pain, ranging from a dull ache to cramps (2) lack of appetite, nausea, and vomiting and (3) heartburn. Often, mucous colitis and spastic colitis are considered to be essentially the same disorder because their characteristics are similar. Together, they constitute the most prevalent digestive disturbances. 

---