Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Symptoms, Triggers and Complications

- By Dr. Mary Alphonse

@DRMARY_ALPHONSE

What is IBS...? 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) refers to shifting abdominal pain or discomfort with alternating constipation and diarrhoea. This is sometimes described as irregular or disturbed bowel function.

What is GIT's function…?

• The gastro-intestinal tract takes part in ingestion, digestion and excretion of waste material. It helps digests the food that you consume to supply the nutrition to the internal organs and cells, thus maintains the balance in the normal metabolic activities to sustain life.

• Any interference in this process can result in ill-health. Any disturbances in the health of gastro-intestinal system will affect the harmonious functioning of the whole body due to nutrition deprivation.

What are the Symptoms….? 

• Chronic abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, eructation, weakness, indigestion, urgency to stools immediately after eating are common in IBS. 

IBS has recurrent abdominal pain plus two or more of:

• Pain better from defecation

• Altered stool at the onset of pain

• Abdominal bloating

• Increased or decreased stools at the onset of pain

• A ‘never completely empty’ sensation after passing stool

• Passing mucus from the rectum

• Morning clusters of motions

• Constipation alternating with diarrhea

Other symptoms reported by patients with IBS: 

• Fatigue (Or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)

• Nausea

• Unexplained insomnia or disturbed sleep patterns

• Susceptibility to colds, flus, sinusitis or post-nasal drip

• Headaches

• Allergic sensitivity

• Restless leg syndrome

• Gastric reflux

• Crawling skin

What are the Triggering Factors….?

Possible Causes and/or contributing factors:

• Intestinal Parasitosis

• Dysbiosis & Candida of the gastrointestinal tract

• Emotional

• Food Sensitivity: Certain types of spices, chillies, oily fatty foods, food preservatives 

• ‘Never Well Since’ a specific previous illness event (eg. Surgery, medication or antibiotic use, infectious mononucleosis or other bacterial or viral disease)

• Hypochlorhydria & Gastro-oesophageal Reflux

• Gallbladder stasis

• Gastritis & Peptic Ulcer

• Diet & Lifestyle

• Many people do not realize that their gut health can be affected by the use of antibiotics, contraceptives, viral illness or poor diet and lifestyle.

• Certain Medications when used in excess can cause gastric irritation and has adverse effects on the nervous system that supplies to the gastro-intestinal tract. 

What are the main Causes….? 

• The opportunistic parasites or candida overgrowth that may result from gut dysbiosis are often difficult to manage and ill health can result.

• Nutritional deficiencies, unhealthy eating or lifestyle habits, improperly treated gastric diseases can be the cause in many. 

• Frequent recurrent fevers, infections, self-medication or overuse can be other reasons. 

What are the Ill effects…..? 

• Indigestion of the ingested food causes Irritable bowel syndrome and gastric infections tend to weaken the immune system.

• Depression, lack of concentration and irritability, easy fatigue, headache, nausea, giddiness, tinnitus, migraine, insomnia are the other symptoms that can result. 

• Also in few hormonal problems, in females menstrual disorders, in males sex problems, in children height and growth errors. 

What are the precautionary steps...?

• Taking probiotics and changing to a healthier diet can help greatly – but in many people it does not completely resolve their issues. 

• Timely food habits, intake of adequate water for the body, age related exercise is beneficial. 

• Exposure to morning sunlight for some time by people of all age groups not only provides the vitamin D required for immune system but also relieves stress. 

• Adequate sleep is essential. 

• Fast foods are better to be avoided. 

• Along with fresh vegetables and fruits rich in fiber content, consumption of lean meats and eggs are advisable. 

How Homeopathy treatment helps…? 

• In the initial phase itself gastric infections can be curbed successfully with the help of the right Constitutional homeopathy treatment. 

• Homeopathy has much to offer these patients, as there are many remedies that can address the underlying issues in the digestive microbiome and change susceptibility as well.

• Holistic approach of taking into consideration the symptoms, triggers, dietary habits and regimen. Homeopathy treats the patient in disease.

• Understanding the changing characteristics from individual to individual and depending on the pathology of organs involved homeopathy remedies are prescribed. Not everyone requires the same medicine.

Homeopathy works by assisting the body's vital energy to heal. This means that you will get rid of each of your troubles small or big, old or new. Since with the treatment- the immune system is strengthened, Homeopathy ends up protecting you from future troubles as well.

Reach us @ Dr. Mary's Clinic