IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) also called as irritable colon or spastic colon, mucous colitis. It is associated with significant health care and economic burden. IBS can also severely compromise a person’s quality of life. IBS is best understood as a long term recurrent disorder of gastrointestinal functioning. It usually involves the large intestine and small intestine. This inconvenience can produce symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, gastritis, and a change in a bowel routine.
What are the Sign and Symptoms in IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome is a gut disorder followed by cramps, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea among other symptoms.
The main symptoms are as following:
- Pain and cramps in the body
- Excessive gas
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Sensitivity to certain things
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Joints pain
- Stress problems
- Slow working of the brain
What are the Causes of IBS?
Although the exact cause of IBS is unknown. Possible causes include an overly sensitive colon or immune system. Post-infection is caused by a bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract.
The physical processes involved in IBS can also vary, mainly consists of
- Painful cramping (slow and spastic movements of the colon)
- Abnormal serotonin levels in the colon, affecting bowel movements and motility.
- Mild celiac disease that damages the intestine, causing IBS symptoms.
What is the Ayurvedic view of IBS?
In Ayurveda, IBS is due to blockage in annvaha srotas. As per the ayurvedic views, the symptoms are correlated with grahani roga, matches most of the IBS symptoms, which can occur due to a number of factors such as improper eating, drinking, exercise too soon after eating, continuously suppressing and restricting natural urges, taking chemical drugs, etc. Grahani is a pathological condition of the function and integrity of the GI tract, especially of the small intestine tract, which is a site of the enzymes. IBS is a disorder characterized by abnormally increased motility of the small and large intestines. In IBS the circular and longitudinal muscles of the intestine, small bowels, and sigmoid colon are highly susceptible to abnormalities.
What is the Ayurvedic Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
IBS is becoming a common problem nowadays. This is due to wrong eating habits & sedentary lifestyle of an individual. When the gastric glands in our body produce a large amount of acid it disturbs the digestion process. The people that are more prone to acidity are obese; overindulge in alcohol, excessive consumption of spicy & non-vegetarian food items, intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pregnant women, menopause, asthma, diabetes, hiatus hernia, peptic ulcers patients, etc. IBS can lead to belching, burning sensation in the throat, stomach, bloating, heartburn, chest pain, etc. Instead of allopathic treatment for acidity, you should always take natural and herbal products. Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides the best and effective treatment for IBS patients known as IBS Care Kit.
ALL PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION IN DETAIL:
1. Pittashekhar Rasa
These are herbal tablets prepared from Sootshekhar rasa, Bilva majja, Kalmegh, Shankha bhasma, Kapardika bhasma, etc. that balances pitta dosha in the body. Regular use of these tablets improves digestion, enhances appetite, carminative, reduces acidity, prevents gastric ulcers, reduces heartburn, acts as a laxative, & reduces pain in the abdomen, etc.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.
2. Agnimukha Churna
This herbal churna is prepared from ingredients like Vacha (Acorus calamus), Pippali (Piper longum), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), etc that balances vata & kapha doshas in the body. It gives effective results in indigestion, anorexia, abdominal pain, constipation, loss of appetite, flatulence, bloating, intestinal gas, IBS, etc.
Recommended Dosage: Take a half teaspoon of this churna twice daily with normal water.
3. IBS Care Sachets
These herbal sachets are prepared from ingredients such as Shankh bhasma, Sutshekhar ras, Parval pishti, Shukta pishti, Giloy, Kamdudha ras, Shvet parpati that gives calming effect on the stomach. These sachets have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antacid properties. It mainly affects in lowering pitta dosha of the body and maintains proper digestion of the body.
Recommended Dosage: Take one sachet twice daily with normal water.
4. Amlapitta Mishran
This is an ayurvedic preparation that contains ingredients like Vasa (Justicia adhatoda), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Triphala (three myrobalans), Patol (Trichosanthes dioica), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Chirayta (Swertia chirayta), etc that regularizes Pitta dosha in the body. This syrup strengthens metabolic activities and enhances the action of agni. It provides effective results in heartburn, abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, belching, etc related to IBS.
Recommended Dosage: Take 2 teaspoonfuls twice daily.
What is the Panchakarma Treatment of IBS?
- Shirodhara: Shirodhara is very helpful in curing irritable bowel syndrome. Shirodhara is a classical ayurvedic therapy. In this therapy, medicated oil is poured in a thin steady stream directly on to the forehead for 30 to 35 minutes. The oil used in Shirodhara is specific to dosha that needs balancing. Shirodhara mainly affects the hypothalamus of the body and maintain temperature of the body. It helps in constipation, cramping, gas, bloating, food intolerance, etc.
- Anuvasna Basti: It is a kind of oil enema therapy in which medicated oil is inserted in your body by the anus. This therapy nourishes the colon, intestine of the body and helps in curing IBS in a natural way.
- Niruha Basti: It is a herbal preparation prepared from medicated dravyas. This basti is effective in amaja and medoja conditions. It gives effective results in constipation, diarrhea, pain, cramps, etc.
Healthy Tips and Diet For IBS Patient
- Always eat homemade food using fresh ingredients.
- Do exercise daily for 20mis at least.
- Maintain a record of what you eat and if you get any symptoms than try to avoid things that enhance your IBS..
Common dietary triggers of cramping or bloating includes:
- Food that causes flatulence, such as beans, celery, carrots, apricots etc.
- Dairy products.
- Caffeine products.
Yoga Postures And Pranayam in IBS
Yoga is very helpful in maintaining health of the IBS patient. Yoga postures lower down the stress level, yoga calms your nervous system, working as a natural balm for your digestive system. Following yoga poses help in IBS are:
- Ardha Mastsyendrasana (Half seated spinal twist)
- Dhanurasana (bow pose)
- 3)Pabanmuktasana (Wind-relieving pose)
- Ananda Balasana ( baby pose)
Home Remedies For IBS
- Don’t skip meals; try to eat at the same time every day.
- Avoid alcohol, coffee, sodas, and dairy products and fat rich food.
- Exercise regularly helps in stress, depression, and stimulates your metabolism.
- Drink lots of water every day, it is best in all the ways.
- Eat healthy vegetables & fruits.
- Drink green coconut water & pomegranate juice daily.