Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a term for a variety of diseases causing discomfort in the gastro-intestinal tract. It is also called spastic colon or functional bowel disorder. In people with IBS, the intestines squeeze hard enough and cause food to move through the intestines. IBS usually begins around age 20 and is more common in women. Ten percent of the US populations suffer from this syndrome.

IBS can be classified as

	IBS can be classified as
	Constipation predominant (IBS-C),
	IBS with alternating stool pattern (IBS-A or pain-predominant) and
	Post-infectious IBS (IBS-PI)

The symptoms may get worse when you're under stress, such as when you travel, attend social events or change your daily routine. Your symptoms may also get worse if you don't eat enough healthy foods or after you've eaten a big meal. Some people are bothered by certain foods. Women who have IBS may notice more frequent symptoms during their menstrual periods.

Ayurvedic approach of Irritable bowel syndrome:

Ayurveda mentioned one disease known as `Grahani'. The symptom of this grahani resembles most of IBS symptoms. IBS, which is categorized under Grahani, occurs due to one or more of dosha imbalance.

Grahani is the seat of Agni and is called so because of holding up the food. Normally, it holds up the food until it is digested and releases it from the side after it is digested. But when it is deranged due to weak digestive fire it releases the undigested material.

According to Ayurveda, wrong and irregular food habits, nervous imbalance, stressed lifestyle, low immunity, non adherence to the natural rhythms of body and negative emotions like jealousy, anger, hatred leads to deranged agni which in turn imbalances one or more dosha and causes Irritable bowel syndrome. An alternating loose bowel and constipation occurs along with bloating, which is the main symptom of IBS.

Symptoms:

Thirst, anorexia, abnormal taste in mouth, excessive salivation and feeling of darkness, eructation have metallic or fleshy odor and bitter sour taste, edema on feet and hands, joint pain, vomiting and fever, cutting pain in abdomen, lassitude, debility, dryness in throat and mouth, burning in cardiac region and throat, patient passes stool as liquid, dried, thin & undigested with sound, broken, mixed with mucus and heavy.

Frequent motions, which are of sometimes, dry & sometimes watery consistency is the classical symptom.

Treatment:

Ayurvedic medicine can help Irritable Bowel Syndrome by treating the patient holistically, altering diet to reduce negative impact of foods on the digestive system, reducing mental stress impact on the digestive system and creating a harmony of mind, body and spirit.

Management of IBS at IVAC:

	Advice on Dietary and lifestyle management - “Be nice to your colon, and your colon will be nice to you”
	Elimination of impurities - Panchakarma
	Stress management by Yoga, meditation and breathing exercises.
	Internally herbal medications are advised.
	External treatments like chakra basti, pichu etc.

Happy Healing at IVAC !