Homeopathy Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a long-term condition that causes re-occurring pain or discomfort in the abdomen (tummy) and an altered bowel habit which may be diarrhea or constipation. IBS is one of the most common problems of the digestive system.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the most diagnosed gastrointestinal condition and is second only to the common cold as a cause of absence from work. Studies suggest the worsening of the IBS symptoms in stressful conditions.
IBS affects all aspects of life and significantly reduces the quality of life. Recent European and American epidemiological investigations do validate that there us increased prevalence of IBS in women aged 35-44 and confirm the significant impact of disorder on the functional status and quality of life.
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How is IBS Diagnosed?
IBS is considered a functional disorder wherein diagnostic testing does not show any visible disease process. To determine whether a person is just having temporary digestive distress or if he does have IBS, doctors use a standard called the Rome III criteria. According to these criteria, IBS can only be diagnosed if symptoms have been present for at least six months. Symptoms must have been experienced on at least three days of at least three months. Specifically, symptoms must consist of recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort with two or more of the following:
- Pain is relieved by a bowel movement
- Onset of pain is related to a change in frequency of stool
- Onset of pain is related to a change in the appearance of stool
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects each person differently. The hallmark of IBS is abdominal discomfort or pain. Other frequently encountered symptoms are:
- Abdominal cramping and pain that are relieved after bowel movements
- Alternating periods of diarrhea and constipation
- Change in the stool frequency or consistency
- Gassiness (flatulence)
- Passing mucus from the rectum
- Bloating
- Abdominal distension
The following are NOT the symptoms or characteristics of IBS:
- Blood in stools or urine
- Vomiting (rare, though may occasionally accompany nausea)
- Pain or diarrhea that interrupts sleep
- Fever
- Weight loss
What causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Stress—feeling mentally or emotionally tense, troubled, angry, or overwhelmed—can stimulate colon spasms in people with IBS. The colon has many nerves that connect it to the brain. Like the heart and the lungs, the colon is partly controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which responds to stress. These nerves control the normal contractions of the colon and cause abdominal discomfort at stressful times. People often experience cramps or “butterflies” when they are nervous or upset. In people with IBS, the colon can be overly responsive to even slight conflict or stress. Stress makes the mind more aware of the sensations that arise in the colon, making the person perceive these sensations as unpleasant.
How does stress affect IBS?
Good dietary and nutrition decisions can lead to improvement in Hirsutism. Eating antioxidant foods such as blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash and bell peppers are general health decisions that may help to balance the body’s hormonal system and bring symptoms like Hirsutism back in line.
Refined foods, such as white breads, pastas and sugar should be avoid
Homeopathy and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Homeopathic remedies are prescribed by symptoms rather than conditions, as each case of a particular illness can manifest differently in different people. The most recent approach in treating IBS is addressing the overall symptoms of this disease and prescribing a remedy capable of normalizing unfavorable responses to aggravating factors (stress, diet, hormonal etc). Homeopathy is a non-steroidal treatment which cures patient and leaves no side effects.
The quality of life affected by this disorder can effectively be taken care by homoeopathy. Patients are afraid to go out of home because diarrhea can trouble them anytime or have acidity, gas boat, flatulence which stops them attending the necessities of their life. Just relax because homeopathy has the answer. The loose bowel movements or unusually hard stools can be easily taken care by homeopathy. Homeopathy stimulates the immune response and corrects the faulty response of the immune system and will help the gastrointestinal tract to work more effectively.
Spasms of the colon which never let a patient do anything and which are intensified when a patient is planning to go out or is stressed can effectively be taken care with the appropriate homeopathic medicine. Homeopathic medicines improve the blood supply of the colon and hence improve the disturbed colon.
While choosing the homeopathic medicine the cause of various symptoms of IBS like diarrhea, constipation, gas boat, flatulence is also evaluated such as sedentary habits, dietary errors, faulty feeding habits, mental stress, and weakness of digestive system muscles and so on. Timely administration of the homeopathic medicines can easily take care of the relapses and cure the IBS from its root cause.
We strongly urge and recommend IBS patients globally to consider Homeopathy for its safe, gentle & long-term benefits.
MANAGEMENT OF IBS
EXPLANATION AND REASSURANCE
The patients of IBS should be explained about the absence of any fear of developing cancer or any serious trouble in the future. Patient should be given psychological support. IBS is known to worsen with stress; thus it is very important to establish ways to manage stress. Aside from exercise, which reduces tension, a hobby or other social activities could provide a break from stressful situations. Writing on a journal and meditation are some examples to help relieve stress.
DIETARY ADVICE
- Have regular meals and take time to eat.
- Avoid missing meals or leaving long gaps between eating.
- Drink at least eight cups of fluid per day, especially water or other non-caffeinated drinks, for example herbal teas.
- Restrict tea and coffee to three cups per day.
- Reduce intake of alcohol and fizzy drinks.
- Reduce intake of ‘resistant starch’ (starch that resists digestion in the small intestine and reaches the colon intact), which is often found in processed or re-cooked foods.
- Limit fresh fruit to three portions per day (a portion should be approximately 80 gm).
- People with diarrhea should avoid sorbitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free sweets (including chewing gum) and drinks, and in some diabetic and slimming products.
- People with wind and bloating may find it helpful to eat oats (such as oat-based breakfast cereal or porridge).
It is generally advised that fiber in the diet should be increased gradually over a long period of time, to give the bowel time to adjust. Not all fiber is the same. ‘Soluble’ fiber, which is found in oats and many green vegetables, is generally well tolerated and beneficial in IBS. Some ‘insoluble’ fibers – especially nuts, seeds and legumes – often make symptoms of IBS worse. Wheat bran can help ease constipation but should be used with care, as it can also trigger attacks in some people. An increase in fibre will only be effective if fluid intake is adequate.
How to prevent IBS
- Avoid Alcoholic Drinks
- Avoid/Quit Smoking
- Reduce stress levels, in fact avoid taking stress
- Move your diet routine to 5 small meals a day
- Avoid Fried Food and Red meat
- Relieving stress / Yoga / Meditation