In Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of healing, wrong and irregular food habits, nervous imbalance, stressed life style, low immunity, non adherence to the natural rhythms of body and negative emotions like jealousy, anger, hatred leads to deranged agni which is the main cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
i.e, Jathara agni (digestive fire) found in the small intestine helps in breaking down the food in the smaller molecules to be digested easily. If it is weakened due to above reasons, it leads to indigestion or malabsorption or ama(toxins) and if it is strong a burning sensation can be felt.
* Digestion is ruled by Jathara Agni by the support vata, pitta and kapha in its own unique manner. Any imbalance in it affects the role of that particular dosha in the digestive process and in the end affects the function of the other doshas in digestion and manifestation of IBS.
Aggravation of doshas leads to deranged digestive fires i.e, Vata dosha leads to Vishama Agni, Pitta aggravation leads to Tikshna Agni and aggravated Kapha leads to Manda Agni.
IBS which is categorised under Grahani, occurs due to one or more of dosha imbalance and it weakens the duodenum. According to Ayurveda, duodenum, helps in digestion and also hold it until it is properly digested and then it allows it to be passed through colon where it is excreted. Its inefficient functioning leads to either releasing its content earlier or retain the content for a longer period. So an alternating loose bowel and constipation occurs which is the main symptom IBS.
Ayurveda aims at eliminating the toxins and restoration of proper digestion and it helps in bringing back the basic strength and immunity of the body thereby treating IBS in a natural way.
Irritable bowel syndrome- causes
Ayurveda, a prehistoric healing medical system, emphasis that Irritable bowel syndrome is caused by the imbalance of nervous system for which modern life style indirectly contribute. One has to work towards restoring the “agni” (digestive fire) which is deranged by a wrong life style and food habits.
** Diet – Consuming a wrong combination of foods, unhygienic food, being irregular in our meal times, not giving required importance to atmosphere while we eat, not taking care to eat a wholesome and a nourishing food, not giving much time while we eat, not chewing it properly before swallowing all contribute to IBS.
** Also Lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, consumption of alcohol, carbonated drinks, chocolates, beverages, hot spicy foods also plays a big role in creating IBS.
** Non adherence to natural body pattern – As we all know that we cannot be active all 24 hrs a day and the body needs rest by sleeping for a minimum number of hrs so that both body and mind can have a sufficient rest. But no amount of sleep with a disturbed mind will be beneficial to the body. Hence take care to sleep deeply and for sufficient time.
** Psychological disturbances – Emotional disturbances like anxiety, fear, stress etc is not good for body. Negative emotions like anger, jealousy, hatred all lead to deranged agni which is main cause of IBS.
** Drinking less water or low immunity of the body, poor digestion or unabsorbed sugar in the body all leads to IBS.
** Sedantary life style that does not have required physical activites.
** Senstive people often have a GI distress when they are unable to cope up the situation, feeling out of out control, having a low energy level, f eeling non aligned to ones real self all lead to IBS.
Ayurveda helps one to cope up with the life that is shattered by IBS, by advising one to change his life style to suit his individual body constitution.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Diet and Lifestyle
Ayurveda, an oldest Indian medical tradition, believes that all disorders, can be treated by a making required changes in the diet and lifestyle leading to amotional/physical/spiritual balances which are also most vital for treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Its recommends the following :
** Reduce the intake of gas producing, fatty foods, vegetables like onions, cabbage, beans etc.
** Avoid artificial sweeteners, fat (Olestra), Coconut milk, Egg yolks, Fried Foods, Oils, Poultry skin and dark meat, Red meat, carbonated drinks, alcohol, chocolate, coffee. Find out if your body is allergic to lactose. If so. avoid it.
** Drink a plenty of liquids everyday. Drinking a lot of water helps.
** Adhere to regularity in taking food and do not skip meals at any cost.
** We are all aware of the importance of taking a nourishing diet, in the same manner equal importance to be given to eat in a quiet and a respectful atmosphere. You should learn to treat eating as a sacred activity.
** Don’t watch television or read or talk during at your dining table and don’t bring up any serious issues while you eat.
** Change the style of your intake habits by enjoying and chewing it well. Dont overeat. Use proper food combination. Rest for a minimum of 20 minutes rest after each meal (in vajrasana).
** Try having five small meals instead of three large meals everyday. It is during noon hour the agni, the digestive fire, tends to be strong, hence have your largest meal during that time.
** Be regular in your exercise regimen as they help to keep you collected in midst of this present stressful life and stimulates the intestinal contractions.
** Pracice yogasanas which helps in strengthening digestive system, provides emotional balance.
Ayurveda helps one to find out each persons constitution and provides advises on diet and life style and helps one to balance body’s energies.
IBS – Yoga management
Ayurveda, an art of living, firmly believes that nervous instability due to vitiation of vata dosha causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Improper digestion and a stressed life are said to be main reason of IBS. The autonomic nervous system along with hypothalamus in the brain controls the food movement through bowels. If we are stressed it affects the mental state thereby causing symptoms of IBS.
** Yogic practice like like Angle Balance, Stick Posture, Supine Knee Squeeze, Pose of Tranquillity, Pose of a Child, The Cobra, Half Moon, Spinal Twist, Half, Sun Salutations, Humming Breath, are necessary to improve the digestion.
** Apanasana gives a gentle massage to the abdominal area thereby improves digestion. Regular yogic practice of abdominal breathing heals the pain of the IBS sufferers and one is advised to inhale and exhale deeply. Abdominal twists like Jathara Parivrtti (a revolved twist) of abdomen helps in bowel movement. Asanas like Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) or Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose) are highly recommended.
** Aerobic exercise are helpful as it is warming and helps in building digestive strength. Swimming, Skating, bicycling, dancing, skating, walking, rollerblading are also recommended.
** Agni Sara is an exercise in hatha yoga and if one practices daily will be blessed with a strong digestive power, provides with energy and leads to a clarity in thought process..
** If there is disturbance in the flow of prana or life energy.( an upward flow (udana), a downward flow (apana), a balancing movement around the navel (samana) it leads to IBS. Inverted postures help in the apana releasing, deep relaxation in pranayama stabilizes the samana.
** Meditation helps to harmonize the energy glows and reduces the stress related problems.
Thus Yogic practice which includes physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditation treats IBS by striking at its root cause.
IBS – Naturopathic treatment
IBS basically is a common disorder of the intestines that leads to cramps, gassiness, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.
From a naturopathic viewpoint the symptoms and treatment of IBS may be related to five key areas:
1. Food allergies – The most common food allergies are wheat, dairy, citrus, and the protein in rye, oats, corn and soy. Alcohol, coffee, tea and smoking can also be stimulants to the bowel and should be avoided.
2. Deficiency of enzymes – Enzymes are present in saliva and are released from the pancreas to assist in breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
3. Improper bacterial balance – If you have taken antibiotics previously, tend to overeat carbohydrates, you may have yeast overgrowth and need to kill off bad bacteria in order regain healthy bacterial levels in the digestive tract.
4. Stress – Anxiety, depression and stress tend to be associated with IBS. Feeling down may happen due to upsetting bowel symptoms, but may also suddenly occur and aggravate the problems. IBS symptoms may also increase stress because of fears that a person has a serious disease.
5. Irritation of the digestive tract wall – If there is an imbalance of any of the above listed items, the digestive tract walls may become irritated and very sensitive and need to be healed and soothed.
Naturopathic treatment involves dietary measures to avoid food triggers, and improve the digestive process generally. It may involve an elimination diet to find out what foods are causing you the most problem. It is essential to drink adequate water. Herbal treatment, vitamins and mineral supplements are very good for improving the digestive system, calming the intestinal spasms as well as addressing the nervous system generally. Stress management may be beneficial too.
