IBS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome refers to the chronic intestinal disorder which causes alteration of bowel habits, bloating and excessive flatulence, abdominal pain, alternate constipation or diarrhea, or both.
The disease starts with mild symptoms such as unsatisfactory bowel movements and emptying the bowels after almost every meal, however when ignored could easily turn chronic leading to several other acute or chronic disorders.
According to Allopathic science it can be grossly related with the abnormalities in the gastrointestinal nervous system or poor signal exchanges between brain and the GI tract.
Causes of IBS:
According To Ayurveda:
When stress adds on to the below reasons along with sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy food habits like excessive spicy food, breads, excessive milk products such as cheese, butter, yoghurt etc. it could easily lead to the IBS. Here are some of the reasons:
- Stopping of natural urges
- Excessive use of purgatives/laxatives
- Chronic constipation
- Irregular bowel habits
- Excessive accumulation of toxins in the body
- Poor digestion
- Poor immunity
- Nervous imbalance
- Mental stress
- Chronic constipation leading to hard stools, anal fissure etc.
Signs and symptoms of IBS:
- Chronic constipation, along with intermittent loose and unformed bowel movements
- Bowel urgency after having meals
- Bloating of the stomach after eating even small meals
- Excessive flatulence
- Pain in lower part of stomach, mostly relieved after bowel movements
- When IBS becomes chronic it could lead to insomnia, heart palpitations, fatigue, foul smell of mouth (Halitosis), headache, urinary discomfort, depression, mood swings etc.
Ayurveda Body Cure’s Treatment plan for IBS:
After a detailed consultation our Ayurvedic consultant will recommend you specific herbal medication, dietary and lifestyle modifications, yoga and yogic breathing techniques and other exercises, subtle detoxification, as well as herbal massage based therapies.
Herbal medication:
This is one of the most important tools in treating IBS. Herbs are selected considering your individual body constitution, climatic conditions, daily routine, lifestyle etc. The focus is to improve your digestion and immunity, regulation of your bowel habits, subtle detoxification, reduce stress along with treating other complications associated with IBS, if any.
A herbal combination of Kutaj (Hollarrhena dysenterica), Udumbar saal (Ficus racemose), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Bilwa patra (Aegele mermosa), Indrayav (seeds of Hollarrhena dysenterica), Sunthi (Zingiber officinale), Dhamasa (Fagonia arabica), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Patol (Tricosanthes dioica) etc. may be used.
Detoxification:
After regulating the bowels substantially, subtle detoxification if required is recommended, as the effect of the herbs is multiplied due to reduced toxin barrier at the cellular level. Detox through lower channels/Purgation therapy (Virechana) is recommended, as the disease and accumulation of toxins are predominantly in the lower channels of the body. Herbs like Sunthi (Zingiber officinale), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Dhanyak (Coriandrum sativum), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), etc. improve digestion. Whereas other herbs such as Aragwad (Cassia fistula), Trivrit (Operculina turpethum), Patol (Tricosanthes dioica), Kutki (Pichrohiza Kurroa), etc help in the process of detoxification.
Diet and lifestyle recommendations:
Dietary changes are suggested to you considering your daily routine and present dietary habits. Healthy cooking habits and general dietary rules are suggested in a customized diet program.
See here – Diet for IBS
Exercise and Yoga recommendations:
Yoga postures are helpful in improving digestion, regulation of bowel movements and thus are helpful along with the medication.
Have a glimpse on Yoga postures for healthy digestive system.
Breathing techniques such as Kapalbhati, Anulom-vilom, Bhramari improves digestion, relieves mental stress, improves the tone of your abdominal muscle, and regulates intestinal movements.
This is how Ayurveda and Yoga from the past thousands of years has and is relieving people from this dreadful disease known as IBS by the modern science.
