IBS relief without Zelnorm Q: I suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and have been very tempted to try the new drug Zelnorm. But the long list of side effects has me spooked. I saw your tip suggesting peppermint oil, which I have found helpful. But I need more if I'm going to stay off the pharmaceutical path. Any further suggestions? JVW: I'm glad you're shying away from Zelnorm. Once again, patient medicine companies are simply throwing symptom-managing medications at conditions that can often be cured if you take the time to investigate what's really going on. That said, the real route to long-term relief is to get to the root of your problem. IBS is often used as a catch-all diagnosis for the symptoms I listed above, which makes your job a bit tough. Food sensitivities, lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, psychological factors, and stress -- or some combination of these -- could be your culprit. It will take some work to uncover the cause for you. You might want to start by keeping a journal of what you eat, how you are feeling, and when you experience your symptoms and see if you can uncover any patterns. Then, systematically eliminate the irritating factors. It's also good idea to locate a supportive doctor who is familiar with natural remedies. For a list of such physicians in your area, contact the American College for Advancement in Medicine (800-532-3688; www.acam.org) or the American Association of Natuopathic Physicians (866-538-2267; www.naturopathic.org). It may take some patience on both of your parts to find the solution, but I have seen many of my patients get rid of their IBS for good without patient medications. | 
