-- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) --
Written by Dr. Shailesh Doshi
Irritable bowel syndrome is not a disease as such. It is a group of symptoms due to irreguller and improper working of bowel (intestine). It invariebly involves the rectum and extends to the large intestine. It is also called spastic colon or functional bowel disease. It occurs usually in young persons in the age group 20 to 40 years.
Some researchers believe that it affects the nerves controlling the muscles of the intestine. It does not cause any physical changes like inflammation or ulcers. It doesn't lead to any kind of cancer as well.
...... Causes ......
Normally the muscles of intestine contract and relax in a coordinated rhythm that effectivey pushes the digested food to the rectum. But in people suffering from IBS, these muscles contract for a longer time and/or with more strength, causing diarrhea or pain. In some cases, reverse of this happens and the movements of the large intestines slow down, thus leading to the slowing of the passage of undigested waste. This causes constipation with hard and dry stool.
The exact causes if IBS is still unknown. The role of infection (E.coli), food allergy, smoking (more common in non-smokers) and oral contraceptives is being studied. The main feature is abnormal or altered activity of the muscles of the intestine and/or abnormal nervous control of the muscles of intestine. This can lead to abnormal patterns of contraction of the intestinal muscles. Due to witch there may be constipation or diarrhea and pain in abdomen. Secretion of fluid into the intestine also might be increased. Anxiety or stress do not cause IBS. But, they make the symptoms of IBS worse.
...... Clinical Features / Symptoms ......
Symptoms are commonly present for weeks or months. Uncommonly, patients can present with sudden onset of diarrhoea, pain in abdomen or constipation or both alternately. The symptoms may resemble to acute amoebic or bacillary dysentery.
Most patients with active disease have diarrhoea with blood and mucous with stool. Blood is generally mixed with stools, passage of clots of blood suggests other diagnoses like tumour and polyps. Chronic diarrhoea without blood is the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Pain in abdomen is not prominent symptom. General symptoms like fever, anorexia, nausea and secondary anemia may be present.
Patients with mild or even moderately severe disease may look well nourished. Patients with chronic disease generally have anaemia, Oedema of the feet, swelling of nail beds, etc.
...... Diagnosis ......
There are no particular tests for diagnosing IBS. IBS should be diagnosed clinically - i.e. by studying the symptoms and by ruling out the probable causes of the symptoms.
Investigations are performed to exclude other conditions (ref. Wikipedia):
- Stool examination - microscopy and culture (to exclude infectious conditions)
- Blood tests: Full blood examination, Liver function tests, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serological testing for coeliac disease
- Abdominal ultrasound (to exclude gallstones and other biliary tract diseases)
- Endoscopy and biopsies (to exclude peptic ulcer disease, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, malignancies)
- Hydrogen breath testing (to exclude fructose and lactose malabsorption)
...... Assessment of Severity ......
- Mild
- Less than 4 stools/day
- No weight loss
- Normal pulse rate, haemogram, temperature, ESR and serum albumin
- Severe
- More than 6 stools/day
- Weight loss more than 10%
- Pulse rate more than 100/min
- Temperature more than 100.5 degree fahrenheit
...... Managing IBS ......
No specific foods have been linked to IBS so there is not "IBS diet." No as such diet restrictions but there should be diet regullations.
Low carbohydrate and low lactose diet helps many times to control diarrhoea.
Experiment with fiber. Fibrous food can help reduce constipation, but it can also make diarrhoea, gas and cramping worse. The best approach is to gradually increase the amount of fiber in your diet over a period of weeks. Examples of foods that contain fiber are whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans. If your signs and symptoms remain the same or worse, tell your doctor.
Avoid problem foods. If certain foods make your signs and symptoms worse, don't eat them.
Be cautious while consuming dairy products. If you’re lactose intolerant, try substituting yogurt for milk
Eating smaller meals may help IBS symptoms; and try to eat about the same time each day to help regulate bowel function.
...... Homeopathy Treatment ......
IBS is a spectrum disorder, which means that there can be a great variety of symptoms and also that their intensity can range from very mild to severe. While treating IBS we have to treat patient's symptoms as well as regulerate his dietory structur. This is one of the syndromes that are not managed well with conventional allopathic treatment. But a well-thought-out Homeopathic treatment can work miracles in IBS. Homeopathic medicines treat IBS by using the body’s own natural healing powers, thus making it very effective and completely side-effect-free.
Here are some remedies that are commonly used for IBS - Argentum Nitricum, Lycopodium, Arsenicum Album, Sulphur, Phosphorus, Asafoetida, Podophyllum, Mag. Phos., Colocynthis, Nux Vomica, etc.
Please make sure that you do not consume any of these medicines without consulting to a professional Homoeopath.
...... Reviews ......
I was fed up of medicines. I was suffering from acidity, unsatisfactory stool,gases,constipation since I was 13-14 of age. One renown Doctor diagnosed as Ulcer and since then about 14yrs I was on allopathic medicines. Sometimes even though on medicines I was suffering with so much complaints. I heard about Dr. Doshi and started his treatment. His way of counseling was so much impressive. With his advice of proper diet, water intake and other things and with only small homeopathic medicines my condition improved within few weeks. I was taking treatment upto 6 mths. Since last 7 years, till now I have no complaints I & I did not take any allopathic medicines. I advice to the people for complaints like me and also for any disease try homeopathic treatment and I recommend Dr, Shailesh Doshi. Thanks to Dr. Doshi.
Mr. Nawaz on Justdial.com
(Disclaimer: The reviews are personal experiences of the patients. The actual treatment and results may vary for each individual.)
I have pain in my abdomen and constipation since many years. All tests done and medicines from various doctors. Gastroscopy also done 2 times, but no relief. Ayurvedic treatment also taken. Then I started treatment at this clinic by Dr. Doshi. I am feeling better in few days and after taking about 2 -3 month medicine my pain stopped completely and no pain and constipation since last 4 years. I am very satisfied with his treatment. Thanks to Dr. Doshi.
Mr. Nitin on Justdial.com
(Disclaimer: The reviews are personal experiences of the patients. The actual treatment and results may vary for each individual.)