Ready to step out for an event but suddenly feel the urge to defecate? Just finished having your lunch but have to rush to the washroom with the same feeling? If you find yourself in the same situation more often than usual, chances are you’re suffering from the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome commonly known as IBS.
The most common symptoms of IBS include altered bowel habits, abdominal pain, flatus and distension of abdomen, sensation of incomplete evacuation of bowels, heaviness in abdomen, nausea or vomiting. Some studies have indicated that most IBS patients suffer from psychological disorders like anxiety and depression too.
How does Irritable Bowel Syndrome occur?
The number one cause that leads to IBS is the disturbed digestive functions. With the junk food eating habits on a rise, the occurrence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome has now increased more than ever. Foods rich in carbohydrates, spicy or fatty foods, coffee and alcohol trigger the symptoms of IBS.
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Everyone has a unique body constitution so the eating habits should be ideally based on the Prakruti (body constitution). Most of the digestive disorders arise due to the fact that meal timings alter regularly changing the way the body digests the food, food is cooked and eaten in a very stressful environment and the frequency of fasting has increased due to grueling work hours or even worse, eating before the previous meal has been digested.
How can you manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
- If you eat Junk, you will Be Junk. Identify the primary causes of the disorder and try your best to avoid the causative or triggering factors. Most common causes include skipping meal timings, over-eating, eating with an unhappy mind, eating hot and cold food items at the same time and eating junk food. Make a conscious choice of not indulging in any of the above unhealthy eating habits. The key is to bring down the consumption of fast food gradually. Cut down the quantity and frequency at first; once your body starts feeling healthier with fresh, homemade, healthy food, chances are you won’t want to eat junk more often. Stick to this lifestyle forever!
- Ayurveda emphasizes on improving the Agni (digestive capacity) by advising medicines that perform Deepana and Pachana (medicines that improve Agni and digest food and ama)
- In case of constipation, mild laxatives are advised. Diarrhea on the other hand requires careful assessment of causes and controlling the triggering factors by cutting down the foods that lead to it. Ayurveda helps by advising medicines that hold the stools and bind them.
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- Deep relaxation techniques help in boosting the functioning of the mind, the disturbance in which is said to be the biggest psychological factor that worsens IBS. These also include the practice of Yogic postures and Pranayama techniques to calm and soothe the mind to relieve anxiety and depression.
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- A clearly structured diet plan based on the status of the digestive agni, starting with foods that can be easily digested and sticking to a diet plan that best suits your body needs can take you a long way in curing IBS.
The way Ayurveda identifies the root causes of every symptom and ailment makes it a promising therapy for psychological and chronic ailments. Ayurveda emphasizes on how people should avoid illness and how to cope with an unhealthy lifestyle resistance. If one follows the rules of eating, taking care of IBS is easier than one could ever think!
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