The use of Fox’s glacier mints to treat ibs-type symptoms in patients with anorexia nervosa in an adult specialist eating disorder unit

Abstract

Background: Patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) often experience Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) type symptoms, including bloating, abdominal pain and acid reflux.(1) Pepper mint oil is used to treat IBS symptoms, due to its anti-inflam matory effects.(2) In 2015, an Adult Specialist Eating disorder unit replaced the use of peppermint oil capsules, Colpermin, with Fox’s Glacier Mints, as they contain peppermint oil (5.5 mg per mint vs. 0.2 ml per colpermin capsule).(3) The aim of this audit was, firstly, to assess patients’ subjective experience of the mints and, secondly, to assess the cost-effec tiveness of Fox’s Glacier Mints in comparison to Colpermin capsules.