Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) commonly affects the large intestine (colon). People with IBS experience bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation, cramping, and abdominal pain. It is a chronic condition that needs long-term management.
What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an intestinal disorder that causes belly pain, cramping or bloating, and diarrhea or constipation. Although it is a long-term problem, it can be controlled and managed through proper medication and counseling. Despite being a chronic disease, IBS does not get worse over time, unlike other chronic diseases, or lead to cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.
What are the causes?
The exact cause for IBS is not known. It could be different for different people because a variety of things play a role that leads to this condition. For some, certain types of foods, stress, hormonal changes, and some antibiotics may trigger pain and other symptoms. According to a study done on IBS, doctors opine that IBS may occur with those who have highly sensitive intestines or a problematic muscle movement of the intestine. A few signal errors between the brain and the digestive tract could also lead to this condition. IBS may occur due to the following reasons:
- Family history of the disorder
- A few types of foods
- Anxiety and depression
- Antibiotics and some other medicines
- Salmonella – an infection in the digestive tract
What are the symptoms?
The known symptoms of this disorder include the following and vary from person to person:
- Changes in bowel movement.
- Bloating stomach and excessive gas.
- Abdominal pain.
- Mucus in stools.
- Diarrhea or constipation.
- Symptoms that can indicate a serious condition and need immediate medical attention
- Abdominal pain that increases at night
- Weight loss
Did you know?
Did you know April is IBS awareness month? And 2 out of every 3 IBS sufferers is a woman.
Home Remedies you can try:
- It is good to drink ginger tea or chew raw ginger to reduce inflammation caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
- Prepare tea by boiling one teaspoon of flaxseed in a cup of water and drink at night.
- Take one teaspoon of Psyllium Husks with half a cup of fresh yogurt one hour after dinner.
A word of advice:
- To reduce inflammation in the lining of the stomach, eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and fruit juices.
- Strictly avoid drinking caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages.
- Avoid eating beans, cabbage, and citrus fruits to control flatulence.
Testimonial: Ayurvedic treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Mr. Sampath Kumar 39 years – Teacher
I have been experiencing bloating stomach and flatulence for a long period of time. The heaviness of the stomach bothered me, searching for toilets after eating was embarrassing. I used to take medicines to get rid of them, prescribed by some doctors. It would relieve the discomfort and would come back. I was getting frustrated until I chose an Ayurvedic doctor. I met Dr. Brahmanand Nayak and took Ayurveda treatment. I am now very comfortable, do not have to bloat my stomach at all and my stools are normal. No more search for washrooms after meals!