Ayurvedic Treatment for IBS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Ayurveda

GRAHANI IN AYURVEDA: AN ANCIENT VIEW ON IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME(IBS)

Definition

Irritable bowel syndrome is a long-term functional condition of the digestive system marked by recurring abdominal discomfort linked to changes in bowel habits (such as constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of both) without any identifiable structural or biochemical issues.

How to Diagnose?

Rome1V Diagnostic CriteriaRecurrent abdominal pain, on average, at least 1 day per week in the last 3 months associated with two or more of the following➢ Related to Defecation (pain improves or worsens with bowel movement)➢ Associated with a change in stool frequency➢ Associated with a change in Stool form (appearance and consistency)Symptoms should have started at least 6 months before diagnosis.

Risk factors

• Women are more likely than men to have IBS, which may require specialized ayurvedic treatment.

• Family history

• Exposure to too much stress and anxiety

• Depression and other mood related problems

• Past trauma

• Poor sleep

• Poor Lifestyle and dietary habits

• Lack of Physical activity.

Common Symptoms

✓ Stomach pain or cramps (often better after going to toilet) are common symptoms of IBS.

✓ Bloating

✓ Change in bowel habits such as Diarrhea, Constipation, mixed

✓ Mucus in stool (white or clear jelly-like material in stool) is one of the symptoms of IBS.

✓ Feeling like you haven’t finished a bowel movement

✓ Symptoms usually worsen with stress and certain types of food or hormonal changes

Commonly Used Diagnostic Techniques

▪ Medical history and Symptom Check

▪ Rome1V Diagnostic Criteria

▪ Exclusion test, such as a Blood test, a Stool test, a Colonoscopy, or a Sigmoidoscopy, can help identify the cause of IBS.

▪ Food sensitivity test

▪ Psychological Assessment

Preventive measures

Nutritional Practices: Consume regular, well-rounded meals while minimizing the intake of fatty, spicy, or processed foods. Steer clear of alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and fizzy drinks to help manage IBS symptoms. Limit foods that can cause gas, such as onions, beans, apples, and milk.

Lifestyle Choices: Engage in physical activities like yoga, walking, or exercise to promote regular bowel function and manage IBS symptoms. Ensure you have a consistent sleep routine. Stay hydrated by drinking ample water throughout the day.

Stress Reduction: Implement relaxation methods such as pranayama, meditation, and yoga. If you experience significant stress or anxiety, consider seeking counseling or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Ayurvedic Correlation

In Ayurveda, Grahani is a condition that exhibits characteristics akin to IBS, allowing us to draw parallels between Grahani Roga and IBS.

Nidhana Of Grahani

❖ Ahithakara Ahara Vihara (improper food habits, consumption of spicy, oily, processedfood and sedentary lifestyle)

❖ Anidra (less Sleep)

❖ Avyayama (less exercise)

❖ Virudha Ahara (consuming mutually contraindicated foods)

❖ Vegha dharana (suppression of natural urges)

❖ Vishamashana (improper eating habits)

❖ Pramitasa.

Poorvaroopa and Roopa of Grahani(Acc to Ch, Sus, Va)

• Trushna (thirst) can sometimes accompany symptoms of IBS.

• Alasya (laziness)

• Balakshya(weakness)

• Aruchi (tastelessness)

• Kasa (cough)

• Amlodhgara(sour belching)

• Praseka (excessive salivation)

• Mukha vairasya (bad or unpleasant taste in mouth) can be a symptom of IBS.

• Klama(tiredness fatigue exhaustion)

• Alpa vishtamba (incomplete evacuation of stool)

• Mala Asampoornata(feeling of unfinished defecation)

• Udara Gaurava(heaviness of abdomen)

• Udara Shoola (abdominal pain)

Single Drug Treatment for Grahani

1. Kutaja(churna) is a grahi good for atisara and pravahika

2. Bilwa (unripe fruit pulp) is grahi, Deepana, and Pachana

3. Nagakesara (it is grahi agnideepana and sthambaka, controls loose stools)

4. Ativisha (it is good deepana pachana and grahi, good for children) is often recommended in ayurvedic medicine.

5. Shunti(it is deepana and relieves ajeerna also helps in preventing bloating)

6. Pippali it is deepana pachana and rasayana.

Pathya Apathyas of Grahani 

Pathya	Apathya
Takra(buttermilk)	Guru Abishyandi Ahara (heavy slimy foodlike curd chees milk products)
Mudgayusha(greengram soup)	Ati snigdha ati rooksha ahara(too oily and dry food)
Laja (parched rice) (shali rice) is an ayurvedic food that may help in treating IBS.	Junk food, canned food, and fried and spicy food
Shunti maricha pippali dadima (agni deepana and ama pachana) to improve digestive fire	Virudha ahara (mutually contraindicated food)
Ushnajala(agni deepan)to improve digestion	Alcohol, coffee, and carbonated drinks. Over eating or fasting for too long
Boiled vegetables (to provide nutrition)	Cold foods and drinks
Yavagu manda peyadi kalpanas (light diet to improve strength)	Raw salads, uncooked vegetables

Ayurvedic Line of Treatment

• Nidana Parivarjana(avoid causative factors)

• Deepana Pachana (treatment principle for stabilizing Agni)

• Dinacharya and Ritucharya (following the proper lifestyle according to Ayurveda)

• Shodana and Shamana line of treatment if required (purificatory or detox treatments if required)

• Yoga and Pranayama (yoga for physical exercise and pranayama for better digestion and gut health)

• Pathyadi krama (diet and Associated regiments to prevent the reoccurrence of the disease)