IBS

IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) is a condition characterized by increased abdominal pain with a range of symptoms like bloating, discomfort, change in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhoea or both). It occurs without any visible change or damage to the digestive system. IBS is best understood as a long term or a recurrent disorder of the gastrointestinal functioning.

1. Abdominal distension, excessive flatus, dyspepsia, heartburn, increased urine frequency.
2. Sensation of incomplete emptying of the rectum.
3. Bowel habits are variable. (Ribbon like stools with or without mucus)
4. Pain in the lower abdomen, pain often occurs in attacks usually relieved by defecation and sometimes provoked by food.
5. Urge to defecate after meals.
6. Diarrhoea characteristically occurs in the morning, and almost never at night.

• Eating food before the previous meal is digested.
• Untimely food habits.
• Eating processed and fried food excessively.
• Less water intake or drinking a lot of water at once since both hamper the digestion.
• Intake of cold and hot food together or intake of cold food soon after intake of hot food or vice versa.
• Unhealthy mindless eating like binge eating, eating too fast or too slow, etc.
• Intake of aerated drinks (cola), fast/junk food (chips, burger, samosa, pizza etc).
• Heavy tasks immediately after meals since the blood circulation is diverted towards the site of action rather than towards digestion of food.

According to Ayurveda there are three elements present in our body; vata, pitta and kapha which should be in balance. Because of the above said causative factors three doshas get vitiated causing weak or impaired digestive fire. Impaired digestive fire produces toxins(ama) in the body resulting in (Irritable bowel syndrome)IBS.

Treatment protocol aims at:

1. Giving relief from abdominal pain with distension, flatulence and maintaining the normal bowel movement.
2. Treating inflammation of the intestine and prevention of complications and improving overall digestive health and peristalsis so that recurrence of IBS can be prevented.
3. Regular intake of supplements to cure IBS in the form of herbs and herbomineral preparations.
4. Treatment is on both the digestive as well as the mind with the aim of providing long-term relief.

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding the causative factors. If the problem persists then should consider the following treatment protocol .

• Digestive issues such as excessive flatus, abdominal pain, heartburn, indigestion happen due to unhealthy diet, lifestyle. It should be treated with Shunthi, Lashunadi vati and Chitrakadi vati by stimulating digestion and removing toxins(ama) from the body.
• Diarrhoea, constipation (or both), abdominal pain, urge to defecate after meals, sensation of incomplete evacuation - All these symptoms might be due to many reasons like Inflammation, problems with gut mobility, hypersensitivity to pressure within the intestine or imbalance in the gut bacteria. Managing the condition with Kutaja, Indrayava, Bilva,Vidanga which have multiple effects on the guts by regulating the intestinal transit, repair and heal the colon lining.
• Inflammation in the stomach lining can be treated with -Kamdudha, Shankhavati, and Laghusootshekhar ras.

(The above mentioned Ayurvedic drugs are Herbs and Herbomineral preparations)

Other treatments - Practicing pranayama and yoga asanas help to relieve stress and  give a long time relief from IBS.

Shunthi, Lashunadi vati, Kutaja, Indrayava, Bilva, Vidanga, Kamadudha, Shankhavati, Chitrakadi vati ,Laghusootshekhar ras.

See your doctor if you have a persistent change in bowel habits or other signs or symptoms of IBS.