Homeopathic treatment
Before delving into homeopathic treatment let us first discuss the conventional or allopathic treatment available.
Allopathic or conventional treatment and its side-effects
The allopathic medicines might provide immediate relief from the symptoms of IBS
or irritable bowel syndrome but the root cause of the problem is not touched upon
and the dangerous side effects can be worse than the IBS symptoms.
- Most allopathic physicians prescribe anticholinergic drugs which block the responses
of nerves in the colon which might relieve you temporarily from IBS; however these
drugs will leave you with several side effects including dry mouth, blurred vision,
and difficult urination.
- Antidepressants such as propantheline and also antianxiety drugs; these can cause
hot flushes, drowsiness, dizziness and so on for which more medicines will be required.
- The various antibiotics used can alter the population of the helpful bacteria in
the intestines causing diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, acidity
and so on.
- Antacids which are most frequently prescribed by majority of allopathic doctors
will leave the patient with constipation and intestinal upsets which will again
cause acidity and other uncomfortable symptoms.
- Narcotics, including diphenoxylate and loperamide, can stop diarrhea by slowing
the movement of stool through the intestine. They can lead to constipation and are
potentially addictive.
- Painkillers like ibuprofen (Nurofen) or aspirin can make the symptoms worse.
- It is usually seen that if a patient is treated for constipation predominate IBS,
diarrhea results and vice-versa. There are certain drugs like lotronex which are
given in cases with diarrhea can reduce the blood supply to the colon and may cause
severe constipation.
Homeopathy
Homeopathic medicines are prescribed by studying the holistic symptomatology of
the patient rather than the name of the disesae or condition. This is because each
case of a particular illness can manifest differently in different people.
The most recent approach used in treating IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is addressing
the overall symptoms of this disease and prescribing a remedy capable of normalizing
unfavorable responses to aggravating factors such as stress, diet, hormonal and
so on. Homeopathy is a non steroidal treatment which
leaves no side effects.
The quality of life affected can be effectively taken care by proper treatment.
In IBS or irritable bowel syndrom people are afraid to go out of home because diarrhea
can trouble them anytime or they can have acidity, gas, bloating, flatulence which stops
them from attending the necessities of their lives. Just relax because homeopathy
has the answer. The loose bowel movements or unusually hard stools can be easily
taken care by the remedies.
Spasms of the colon which never let a patient do anything and which are intensified
when a patient is planning to go out or is stressed can effectively be taken care
with the appropriate medicines.
While choosing the medicines the causes of various symptoms of IBS are also evaluated. The causes may be sedentary habits, dietary errors, faulty feeding
habits, mental stress, and weakness of digestive system muscles and so on. Timely
administration of the homeopathic treatment can easily take care of the relapses.
The need for some or all of your existing allopathic medication reduces gradually
as the patient improves with homeopathy.
I strongly urge and recommend IBS patients to consider homeopathy for its safe, gentle & long-term benefits.
There are 127 medicines which give great relief in IBS. However, the correct choice and
the resulting improvement is a matter of experience and right judgment on the part of
the doctor. The treatment is decided after thorough case taking of the patient.
Thus homeopathic remedies of IBS or irritable bowel syndrome are tailer made unlike
allopathy in which all patients receive the same medicines although trade name may
be different.
For online treatment, you may follow the following steps at Consult now.
*DISCLAIMER: There is no guarantee of specific results and the results can vary. None of the remedies mentioned including services, mentioned at HomeopathicTreatment4U.com, should be used without clearance from your physician or healthcare provider. We do not claim to cure any disease which is considered 'incurable' on the basis of scientific facts by modern medicine. We assure you of the best possible efforts for those who apply for online treatment. However, please note that we do not claim to cure each and every case, nor do we guarantee any magical cure. The website’s content is not a substitute for direct, personal, professional medical care and diagnosis.
IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome... What it is, anyway
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a long-term condition that causes re-occurring
pain or discomfort in the abdomen (tummy) and an altered bowel habit which may be
diarrhea or constipation. It is one of the most common problems of the digestive
system.
It is the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal condition and is second only
to the common cold as a cause of absence from work. Studies suggest the worsening
of the IBS symptoms in stressful conditions. It affects all aspects of life and
significantly reduces the quality of life.
Recent European and American epidemiological investigations do validate that there
is increased prevalence of IBS in women aged 35-44 and confirm the significant impact
of disorder on the functional status and quality of life. Upto 1 in 5 people in
Europe develop IBS at some stage of their life.
Gender, race, and age all play a role in the prevalence of IBS. Recent studies suggest
that in the United States of America the incidence is 10% and its prevalence 20%.
These numbers are dependent on the diagnostic criteria used as well as on the population
studied. Approximately 70% of patients who meet the diagnostic criteria for IBS
do not seek medical care; the remaining patients account for 12% of primary care
visits. Community-based estimates suggest that up to 30% of patients with a gastrointestinal
complaint will have IBS but only a minority of patients diagnosed by a gastroenterologist.
How to diagnose
IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is considered a functional disorder wherein diagnostic
testing does not show any visible disease process. To determine whether a person
is just having temporary digestive distress or if he does have IBS, doctors use
a standard called the Rome III criteria.
According to this criteria, it can only be diagnosed if symptoms have been present
for at least six months. Symptoms must have been experienced on at least three days
of at least three months.
Specifically, symptoms must consist of recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort with
two or more of the following:
- Pain is relieved by a bowel movement
- Onset of pain is related to a change in frequency of stool
- Onset of pain is related to a change in the appearance of stool
Symptoms
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS affects each person differently. The hallmark is
abdominal discomfort or pain. Other frequently encountered symptoms are:
- Abdominal cramping and pain that are relieved after bowel movements
- Alternating periods of diarrhea and constipation
- Change in the stool frequency or consistency
- Gassiness (flatulence)
- Passing mucus from the rectum
- Bloating
- Abdominal distension
The following are NOT the symptoms or characteristics:
- Blood in stools or urine
- Vomiting (rare, though may occasionally accompany nausea)
- Pain or diarrhea that interrupts sleep
- Fever
- Weight loss
Causes
The cause of IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is not clear. It may have something
to do with over activity of part or parts of the GI Tract. The small and large bowel
(also called the small and large intestine) are parts of the GI tract inside the
abdomen.
Food is passed along by regular contractions (squeezes) of the muscles in the wall
of the GI tract. Pain and other symptoms may develop if the contractions become
abnormal or overactive. The area of over activity in the GI tract may determine
whether constipation or diarrhea develops. Recent research is linking psychological
factors to physiological functioning in many digestive disorders including IBS.
How does stress affects
Stress—feeling mentally or emotionally tense, troubled, angry, or overwhelmed—can
stimulate colon spasms in people with IBS.
The colon has many nerves that connect it to the brain. Like the heart and the lungs,
the colon is partly controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which responds to
stress. These nerves control the normal contractions of the colon and cause abdominal
discomfort at stressful times. People often experience cramps or 'butterflies' when
they are nervous or upset.
In people with IBS or irritable bowel syndrome, the colon can be overly responsive
to even slight conflict or stress. Stress makes the mind more aware of the sensations
that arise in the colon, making the person perceive these sensations as unpleasant.
Explanation and reassurance to patients
The patients of IBS or irritable bowel syndrome should be explained about the absence
of any fear of developing cancer or any serious trouble in the future. Patient should
be given psychological support.
IBS is known to worsen with stress; thus it is very important to establish ways
to manage stress. Aside from exercise, which reduces tension, a hobby or other social
activities could provide a break from stressful situations. Writing on a journal
and meditation are some examples to help relieve stress.
Dietary advice
- Have regular meals and take time to eat.
- Avoid missing meals or leaving long gaps between eating.
- Drink at least eight cups of fluid per day, especially water or other non-caffeinated
drinks, for example herbal teas.
- Restrict tea and coffee to three cups per day.
- Reduce intake of alcohol and fizzy drinks.
- Reduce intake of 'resistant starch' (starch that resists digestion in the small
intestine and reaches the colon intact), which is often found in processed or re-cooked
foods.
- Limit fresh fruit to three portions per day (a portion should be approximately 80
gm).
- People with diarrhea should avoid sorbitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free
sweets (including chewing gum) and drinks, and in some diabetic and slimming products.
- People with wind and bloating may find it helpful to eat oats such as oat-based
breakfast cereal or porridge.
It is generally advised that fiber in the diet should be increased gradually over
a long period of time, to give the bowel time to adjust. Not all fiber is the same.
‘Soluble’ fiber, which is found in oats and many green vegetables, is generally
well tolerated and beneficial in IBS or irritable bowel syndrome.
Some ‘insoluble’ fibers – especially nuts, seeds and legumes – often make symptoms
worse. Wheat bran can help ease constipation but should be used with care, as it
can also trigger attacks in some people. An increase in fibre will only be effective
if fluid intake is adequate.
How to prevent
- Avoid alcoholic drinks
- Quit smoking
- Reduce stress levels, in fact avoid taking stress
- Move your diet routine to 5 small meals a day
- Avoid fried food and red meat
- Do yoga, meditation