Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Treating it with Ayurveda

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Treating it with Ayurveda

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. The wall of the intestine usually exhibits rhythmic contractions called the peristaltic movements, which facilitates the passage of the contents from one part to the next. In this condition, the walls of the intestines are sensitized to even mild stimulus which causes excess spasmodic contraction of the wall of intestines. Specific foods like caffeine, spicy foods etc may initiate such response or at times just the presence of food in the intestines can trigger such response. Stress is an important causative factor. The symptoms may start after an episode of intestinal infection.

SYMPTOMS:

• Abdominal pain
• Frequent bowel movements
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Urgency in bowel evacuation
• Flatulence
• Feeling of incomplete evacuation of bowels
• Distension of abdomen
• Anxiety

MANAGEMENT:

Management of this condition in modern medicine is through administeration of anti spasmodics, anti diarrheals (in case of IBS with diarrhoea) , stool softeners (in case of IBS with constipation), fibre supplementation, anti depressants etc. These medications used long time can have their own complications and these involve only symptomatic relief rather than treatment of cause.

This condition can be correlated to disease called Grahani described in Ayurveda. A person who suffered with diarrhoea (because of any infection), if he indulges in improper food and lifestyle, his digestive fire which is already weak, gets further affected and leads to this condition. This disease is characterised by diarrhoea or constipation, fullness of abdomen, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, emaciation, etc.

The digestive fire is greatly affected in this condition. Hence , the first line of treatment is regulation of the digestive fire and elimination of the undigested toxins. The treatment for indigestion, namely fasting, administeration of digestives and carminatives are indicated. When the toxins are profound, it first has to be eliminated through detoxitification. In Ayurveda, detoxification is done through the Panchakarma therapies of Vamana (emesis) and Virechana (purgation). These procedures complimented with internal medicines gives remarkable results in this condition. When IBS is stress induced, Shirodhara, has very good calming effect on the mind. With the right diet and lifestyle and with regular practice of Yoga and Pranayama, one cn effectively manage the disease.

DIET AND LIFESTYLE:

The diet should be light and easily digestible.

• Use of Ghee regularly has very good effect over the digestive system.
• Too much oily food has to be avoided.
• Too much heavy, spicy, hot and salty foods has bad impact over the digestive system.
• Digestive and carminative spices like cumin, pepper, ginger, asafoetida etc should always be used in our diet.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Curd should not be taken regularly.
• Food should be taken only after one feels hungry.
• Sipping hot water at intervals helps in increasing digestion.
• Avoid excessive cold beverages and food.
• Foods which are old or refrigerated should not be consumed.
• Avoid day sleep
• Regular and mild exercises helps to increase digestion.
• Practicing Yoga regularly help to regulate the digestion and bowel movements.