HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine (colon). Irritable bowel syndrome commonly causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. IBS is a chronic condition that you will need to manage long term.

Even though signs and symptoms are uncomfortable, IBS — unlike ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which are forms of inflammatory bowel disease — doesn't cause changes in bowel tissue or increase your risk of colorectal cancer.

Only a small number of people with irritable bowel syndrome have severe signs and symptoms. Some people can control their symptoms by managing diet, lifestyle and stress. Others will need medication and counselling

Causes--It's not known exactly what causes irritable bowel syndrome, but a variety of factors play a role. The walls of the intestines are lined with layers of muscle that contract and relax in a coordinated rhythm as they move food from your stomach through your intestinal tract to your rectum. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, the contractions may be stronger and last longer than normal, causing gas, bloating and diarrhea. Or the opposite may occur, with weak intestinal contractions slowing food passage and leading to hard, dry stools.

Abnormalities in your gastrointestinal nervous system also may play a role, causing you to experience greater than normal discomfort when your abdomen stretches from gas or stool. Poorly coordinated signals between the brain and the intestines can make your body overreact to the changes that normally occur in the digestive process. This overreaction can cause pain, diarrhea or constipation.

Triggers vary from person to person

Stimuli that don't bother other people can trigger symptoms in people with IBS — but not all people with the condition react to the same stimuli. Common triggers include:

Foods. The role of food allergy or intolerance in irritable bowel syndrome is not yet clearly understood, but many people have more severe symptoms when they eat certain things. A wide range of foods has been implicated — chocolate, spices, fats, fruits, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, milk, carbonated beverages and alcohol to name a few.

Stress. Most people with IBS find that their signs and symptoms are worse or more frequent during periods of increased stress, such as finals week or the first weeks on a new job. But while stress may aggravate symptoms, it doesn't cause them.

Hormones. Because women are twice as likely to have IBS, researchers believe that hormonal changes play a role in this condition. Many women find that signs and symptoms are worse during or around their menstrual periods.

Other illnesses. Sometimes another illness, such as an acute episode of infectious diarrhea (gastroenteritis) or too many bacteria in the intestines (bacterial overgrowth), can trigger IBS.

Symptoms--The signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can vary widely from person to person and often resemble those of other diseases. Among the most common are:--Abdominal pain or cramping, A bloated feeling, Gas, Diarrhea or constipation — sometimes alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea, Mucus in the stool

For most people, IBS is a chronic condition, although there will likely be times when the signs and symptoms are worse and times when they improve or even disappear completely.

HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES

ARGENTUM NITRICUM 30-Argentum nitricum is one of the top remedies for IBS.Here the gastric aliments with lot of belching. Flatulence with painfulness of the pit of the stomach. Patient makes ineffectual efforts at eructations. Lot of distension of the abdomen with great desire for sweets, cheese and salty foods. Much prone to diarrhea. Noisy, flatulent diarrhea with much offensiveness of stools. Frequent stools due to anticipatory anxiety. Colicky pain in the abdomen. Urging for stools immediately after eating or drinking anything.

Argentum nitricum  patient is very nervous and impulsive by nature; extremely hurried in whatever he does. Physical symptoms of anxiety are also very marked such as trembling of hands and feet, palpitations in the chest, shortness of breath, dizziness and fainting, dryness of mouth, stammering, excessive sweating, etc.

ALOES 30-Aloes is an effective remedy for IBS. Constant bearing down in rectum . Bleeding rectum feels sore and hot, and is relieved by cold water. Lot of mucus and wind is expelled with stools and the pain remains in the rectum after passing stools. There is gurgling in abdomen, fecal incontinence and the ability to control the runs.

ASAFOETIDA 30-Asafoetida is also a very effective remedy for IBS. There is a feeling of

constriction in all directions, especially if muscular contractions in the intestines and oesophagus seem to be moving in the wrong direction strongly indicates this medicine. The person may have a feeling that a bubble is stuck in the throat, or that a lump is moving up from the stomach. The abdomen feels inflated, but the person finds it hard to pass gas in either direction to get relief. Constipation brings on griping pains. Diarrhoea can be explosive , and the person may even regurgitate food in small amounts. Moreover the person may exhibit a strong emotional or hysterical element this remedy is needed.

COLOCYNTHIS 30-Colocynthis is indicated when cutting pains and cramping occur , making the person bend double or need to lie down and press on the abdomen.Cramps may be felt in the area of pubic bone. Pain is likely to be worse just before the diarrhoea passes, and after eating fruits or drinking water. Another feature is that all problems tend to be aggravated by emotions , especially if indignation or anger has been felt but not expressed. Back pain, leg pain , and gall bladder problems are also seen when this remedy is indicated.

LILIUM TIG. 30-Lilium tig is indicated when the person may make frequent unsuccessful efforts to move the bowels all day and have sudden diarrhoea the following morning. A feeling of a lump in the rectum , worse when standing up, is common. Haemorrhoids  may be seen. There is constrictive feeling often felt in the  chest.The person is likely to be worse from excitement and strong emotions and may tend toward irritability or even rage.

LYCOPODIUM 200—In Lycopodium there is  weakness of digestion. Immediately after a meal, the abdomen feels distended and bloated. Sour eructations. Indigestion due to foods like cabbages, beans, etc. Constant sensation of fermentation in the abdomen, ineffectual urging for stools. The stools are hard at times and require much straining; at times patient has diarrhea. Much pressure and tightness in the abdomen.

NATRUM CARBONICUM 30-Natrum carbonicum is another effective remedy foe IBS.This remedy is often indicated for mild people who have trouble in digesting and assimilating many foods and have to stay on restricted diets. Indigestion, heartburn, and even ulcers may occur if offending foods are eaten. The person often is intolerant of milk and drinking it or eating dairy products can lead to flatulence and sputtery diarrhoea with an empty feeling in stomach. The persons may have craving for potatoes and for sweets and sometimes also milk, but has learned to avoid it. A person who needs this remedy usually makes an effort  to be cheerful and considerate, but when feeling weak and sensitive wants to be alone to rest.

NUX VOMICA 30-Nux is an effective remedy for IBS. There is constipation alternating with diarrhea, after abuse of purgatives. Frequent ineffectual urging for stools. Strains hard at stools. Unfinished sensation after stools. Flatulent colic in abdomen. Passes small quantities of stools at a time.

PULSATILLA NIG. 30—Pulsatilla is also indicated for IBS. There is painful distension of the abdomen with rumbling and pressure in the abdomen. Tightness in abdomen after a meal. Watery, rumbling stools; no two stools alike.Pulsatilla is more indicated mild yielding persons

PHOSPHORUS 200-- In IBS, the patient complains of constipation alternating with diarrhea. Stools are offensive and there is much urging for stools when lying on the left side. Marked weakness after stools. Highly sensitive to external impressions such as light, sound, odors, touch, thunderstorms, etc. Restless, excitable, nervous individuals. Affects the kidneys causing albuminuria and haematuria; patient has profuse, pale, watery urine with intense weakness. There is increased susceptibility to colds amongst children.

SILICEA 200-- Silicea is also considered a good remedy for IBS. -Loss of appetite and disgust for meat and warm food in general. Bloated feeling in the abdomen. Colicky pain in the abdomen with constipation. Stool is hard and comes with great difficulty. On the other hand patient may also develop diarrhea that has an offensive odor. Silica positively influences nutrition as well and hence its one of the prominent remedies used for rickets in children.

SULPHUR 200—Suphur is one of the top remedies for IBS. There is frequent, unsuccessful desire for stools. Stools are hard, knotty and insufficient. Constipation alternates with diarrhea. Early morning diarrhea where the patient has to rush to pass stools. Heaviness in the abdomen as of a lump. Abdomen is sore and sensitive to pressure. This remedy is more suited to thin and weak individuals who are very sensitive to heat. Mentally suited to people who are nearly always irritated and depressed. They are very forgetful. They are either too busy or they dare lazy and do not feel like doing work. Some of them may have a feeling that they are immensely wealthy when in reality the situation is opposite