Ayurvedic Treatment for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

What is IBS?

Almost everyone has had constipation and diarrhea at one time or another. But many people have “Irritable bowel syndrome” which includes both diarrhea and constipation. They are caused by two entirely different mechanisms. Bowels habit is disturbed by diarrhea or constipation occurring alone or alternating. Some forms of this IBS have in the past been called spastic colon and idiopathic or nervous diarrhea. Constipation occurs from a sluggish contraction of the bowel and diarrhea by an overactive bowel.

What are the causes?

Although the etiology of the irritable bowel syndrome is uncertain, some relate this to psychological disturbances, especially anxiety. Some relate their onset to an attack of infective diarrhoea or certain foods may precipitate symptoms.
• It is true that stress can affect bowel function. It has been demonstrated that the bowel can flush or become very pale in response to emotional reactions. Severe acute stress may cause diarrhea.
• A close look at dietary factors is a must in evaluating the cause for an irritable bowel, one cause i.e. lactose intolerance is a very common problem. The inability to digest lactose sugar in milk and dairy products. The undigested lactose acts like a laxative and causes the symptoms of an irritable bowel.
• Another and less common is gluten intolerance. Some individuals may have an allergic reaction to gluten protein, which is found in all cereals except rice and corn. This can cause diarrhea.
• Fat may also be a cause of diarrhea, they stimulate strong contractions of colon contributing to pain and diarrhea.
• Alcohol is another often-unrecognised cause for such symptoms, particularly diarrhea. The patient may not think that his or her alcohol habit can be the cause. Alcohol is a cellular poison. Its initial contact with the lining of the bowel may cause some cellular damage. As the alcohol in the blood is recirculated regularly and bathes the intestinal cells, it creates further damage. Damaged cells mean inadequate digestion, followed by diarrhea and IBS.
• Coffee, tea, colas and chocolate are all can cause IBS, as they stimulate muscular contractions and acts as a causative factor in diarrhea.