Ayurvedic Management of IBS (Grahani)-2

Ayurvedic Line of Tratment for IBS (Grahani):

The Ayurvedic principle of the involvement of dosas is very helpful because it provides an understanding of the symptoms and how they vary from one type to another. It also provides a system of treatment specific to that particular dosa imbalance. Ayurveda utilizes not only diet and herbs, but also lifestyle advice so that treatment of IBS can be more specific and more successful.

Ayurvedic treatment is based on the nature of the stool with (sama) or without (nirama) enterotoxin stool.

The therapy process is highlighted as follows:

  • 1. According to Ayurveda, dyspepsia and enterotoxin in IBS are important pathological processes that have to be treated effectively along with consideration of bowel movements with respect of stools with or without mucus discharge. When enterotoxin dominates this stage, it is treated with fasting and administration of digestives and carminatives. Use of warm water is highly recommended.
  • 2. In constipation-predominant IBS, the first line of treatment is administration of digestives like chitrakadi vati and shankha vati to eliminate enterotoxin. It is recommended to follow the digestive with an administration of medicinal ghee preparations such as dashmuladi ghrita and thryushanadi ghrita.
  • 3. Emesis (vamana) is the first line of treatment in diarrhea-predominant IBS, followed by the herbal bitters.
  • 4. The first line of treatment for dysentery-predominant IBS is laxatives (virechana) followed by the administration of herbs with spicy and sour tastes.
  • 5. Complex IBS is treated with the panchakarma line of treatment and supported by digestives and carminative preparations.

Diet in IBS (Grahani):

In general, a normal diet should be followed. Patients with abdominal distention and increased flatulence may benefit from dietary reduction or elimination of beans, cabbage, and other foods containing fermentable carbohydrates. Reduced intake of apple and grape juice, bananas, nuts, and raisins may also lessen the incidence of flatulence. Patients with evidence of lactose intolerance should reduce their intake of milk and dairy products. Bowel function may also be disturbed by artificial sweeteners like Sorbitol and mannitol

Generally, in the treatment of IBS, the use of Buttermilk ( takra) is emphasized. 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.

When treating IBS, a light diet is advised. Indigestible foods such as bread; cheese; red meat; and cold, hard, and raw foods should be avoided. A light fast can be helpful taking only vegetable soups and a little basmati rice and green gram beans. Herbs like ginger, fennel, and cumin that stimulate enzyme secretions will improve digestion, absorption, and clear ama from the digestive tract.

Prefered food items in Grahani

Eat old rice, jawar, gourd, coriander leaves, lentil, green grams soup, black pepper, dried ginger, wood apple, Pomegranate, nutmeg, skimmed milk, buttermilk, hot water.

Avoid foods items such as maize, barley, pigeon pea, pea, cow pea, spiked dolichos, black gram, gram, Soya bean, saga, kidney bean, potato, sweet potato, navalkoal, onion, coconut, groundnut, chili, oily food, chicken, red meat, crabs, prawns, fish, leafy vegetable like sorrel, drum stick etc, mango, pineapple, apple, watermelon, cashew, pumpkin gourd, papaya, fig, jack fruit

Lifestyle Changes in IBS Treatment

The following changes in lifestyle help to control IBS:
  • 1. Identify and remove food intolerances — Because grains are a common culprit, an elimination diet should be tried.
  • 2. Improve gut motility - Soluble fiber increases bowel transit, stools, and relieves constipation. Psyllium(Isabgol) is a good source of soluble fiber and is readily available. Sufficient water should be taken or fiber can have the opposite effect and result in greater constipation.
  • 3. Restore a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut -Use of buttermilk ( takra) is emphasized.
  • 4. Pancreatic enzymes - These enzymes help inhibit the growth of b acteria in the small intestine. They help improve protein digestion.
  • 5. Mind–body therapy — To attain a balanced mind which indirectly helps to fight IBS, Ashwagandha churna, Brahmi churna, Aswagandharishta is helpful. Complete rest, adequate sleep is advisable and day sleep, awakening at night, tension, suppression of urges should be avoided.

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