Treatment of Irritable bowel syndrome (sangrehni) in Ayurveda

                                        Treatment of  IBS (Grahni )in Ayurveda
                                                                                                       Dr Gagan Sharma                                                           09465343479                                                        
In today’s world of fast food , there is change and irregularity in diet and diet timings. Fast growing world has given desk jobs and sedentary life style. In addition to change in diet and lifestyle, one is always under tremendous stress. body and mind are interdependent to each other. All these causes disturbances to the digestive system, which results into many disease, among which digestion and absorption diseases are most common.  Irritable BowelSyndrome (IBS) is a psychosomatic disease condition where motility of intestine is disturbed with altered bowel habit, lower abdominal pain with distention relieved by passes of flatus. There is no detectable organic pathology in this disease. The symptoms are markedly influenced by psychological factors with stressful life style. A careful review of the clinical picture of various GIT diseases, described in Ayurveda reveals that some of the disorders definitely have some clinical symptoms observed in the patients of IBS.   
In Ayurveda , functionally weak Agni/Digestive fire causes improper digestion of ingested food ,which leads to Aam dosha . Aam is the root cause of most of the diseases. It is well established that the circular and longitudinal muscles of the small bowel and sigmoid are highly susceptible to motor abnormalities. As a result, many factors can influence their contraction rates and lead to the excessive activity of their function which is at the basis of irritable bowel syndrome. Ayurveda evaluation searches for the various root causes of excessive GI motility through a determination of the imbalances in the functioning modes of the body.
Signs and symptoms

·         Cramping pain in lower abdomen

·         Changes in  bowel habits

·         Diarrhea or constipation, or both alternately

·         Relief of pain after bowel movements

·         Feeling of incomplete emptying after bowel movements

·         Mucus in stool

·         Abnormal movements of the colon, whether too fast or too slow, are seen in some, but not all, people who have IBS.

Treatment

Ayurveda has emphasized the use of Buttermilk ( takra) for the treatmentof IBS. The patient has to be kept on the diet of buttermilk, which is the treatment and nutrition in IBS.Buttermilk is digestive, astringent, and light to digest and helps in improving the consistency of the stool. Buttermilk is given along with asafetida, cumin, and rock-salt powder to control the bowel movements. It contains a good amount of lactobacillus bacteria, which helps restore the normal flora of the intestines. . Trikatu, a compound containing black pepper, long pepper, and ginger, is specific for low enzyme and high enterotoxin.  Pungent, bitter, and astringent tasting foods are best. Musta ( Cyperus rotundus) improves intestinal absorption and stops diarrhea.

There are several time tested classical  ayurvedic formulations mentioned by our ancient Acharays  eg   Brhat gangadhara curna ,Dadimastaka curna ,Jatiphaladi curna , Hingvastaka churna , Bilvadi lehyam ,Chitrakadi vati ,Shankha vati,Dashmuladi ghrita, Panchamrut parpati ,Kutaj parpati,Rasa-parpati .These medicines should be taken under the guidance of an ayurvedic physician .

IBS is a psychosomatic disease .Stress management can help prevent or ease IBS symptoms. Use relaxation techniques: deep breathing, visualization, yoga , meditation can help the patient . Bhramari pranayaam  will help to alleviate stress and anxiety .Pavan multa asana will help to reduce gaseous trouble and bloating. Kapal bhatti  can be helpful for those suffering with constipation.

Diet Regime for IBS

Preferred food items are Eat old rice, ginger, jawar, coriander leaves, lentil, green grams soup, black pepper, nutmeg, skimmed milk, buttermilk, hot water. Foods rich in monounsaturated fats, such as olives and olive or canola oil, are more healthy as well as easily digestible. Herbs like ginger, fennel, and cumin that stimulate enzyme secretions will improve digestion, absorption, and clear Aam(undigested material) from the digestive tract. When treating IBS, a light diet is advised.

Avoid indigestible foods such as bread; cheese; red meat; and cold, hard, and raw.Because it is hard to digest, saturated fat can be colon irritants. Foods rich in saturated or trans fats include stick butter and margarine, shortening, fried foods, beef fat, full-fat dairy products and commercially prepared cookies, crackers, coffee cakes and snack foods.Limit foods that contain ingredients that can stimulate the intestines and cause diarrhea, such as caffeine (tea,coffee), Alcohol , Foods high in sugar ,Artificial sweeteners (sorbitol).Some vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts) and legumes (beans) may worsen bloati

To sum up, Our health depends a lot on the food we eat. So to remain healthy we must think before we eat. Balanced diet , exercise ,yoga and meditation all are key to good health. Ayurveda  is not only focused to cure the patient but also emphasis on the  proper life style to keep our selves healthy.