IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME.....A MORE NATURAL APPROACH
We recently did a really interesting exercise of sifting through our consultation forms to identify what our clients were telling us about themselves.
This is what we discovered....
Irritable bowel syndrome seems to be the most prevalent condition in our practice. While manysimply self medicate as the symptoms arise, others find temporary relief from a cocktail of chronic prescription medication. However, if IBS is managed from a holistic perspective, permanent relief be found and a solid foundation of optimum health will be created.
IBS may present with symptoms ranging from vague abdominal discomfort to unbearable cramps, bloating, heartburn, flatulence and intermittent diarrhoea and constipation. These symptoms may occur erratically, in cycles or may be chronic. They are of often debilitating and can severely impact quality of life. Added to this may be great frustration that after a whole series of investigations, nothing tangible is discovered, the doctor puts it down to stress and the patient walks out with a prescription for medication that may or may not offer a temporary relief.
This was exactly the experience of one of my patients. She initially consulted with me as she was experiencing night sweats, heart palpitations and insomnia for a few weeks prior to consulting with me.
Routine blood test revealed nothing unusual and it was clear that her symptoms were related to a chronic anxiety, the source of which came to light during our conversation. We worked with some breathing techniques to help her to deal with the symptoms of anxiety and she was given a herbal formulation to take orally.
It is hardly surprising that just as she began to create and awareness of the source of her anxiety, her symptoms began to shift and she began to experience abdominal cramps for which she consulted her regular GP. He sent her home with a PPI (acid suppressive medication commonly used to treat ulcers), an antispasmodic and an antidepressant...She may have experienced some temporary respite, however there was nothing in that prescription that addressed the root cause of her symptoms. In fact, it was just creating even more of an imbalance.
IBS can be a tricky condition to treat. There is no pathology that is visible under the microscope or that can be excised in surgery. Strictly speaking, it is a functional condition of the bowel meaning that there is a disruption to the rhythmical and wavelike contractions that move the contents of bowl along towards the rectum. This can be caused by the erratic firing of the nerves that supply the bowel, resulting in the symptoms of diarrhoea, constipation or both.
However, in many cases IBS is a diagnosis that’s thrown around loosely for any vague abdominal symptom of the bowel without really understanding the imbalance from a broader perspective and without having an awareness of the patient’ s unique diet, personality, lifestyle and stressors.
Any digestive symptom is an indication that the is not occurring optimally is often the first sign that the body is out of sync – It’s our early warning system!
So much more goes on in the gastrointestinal tract than simply the digestion of food, assimilation of nutrients and elimination of waste. It is a vital part of the immune system and it not surprising that the gut is called the second brain. It is home to 500 million neurons, produces 50% of all dopamine and 95% of serotonin, the feel good hormones! Every day more and more discoveries are being made about the vast and complex nature of the gastrointestinal system, deepening our understanding of the intimate connection between our gut and brain and why a healthy gut is fundamental to the optimum functioning of all our other physiological systems.
If we can take heed of the subtle signals that our digestive system sends us, we can take early action to prevent infection, cancer and chronic illness in general. Good health begins in the bowel.
The Ayurvedic system acknowledges this and places a great deal of emphasis on the importance of having a strong digestive fire. “Digestive Fire” refers to the digestive juices , acids and enzymes produced by the liver, pancreas and stomach secreted in the perfect dose to ensure that the meal can be completely digested and all the nutrients are assimilated and absorbed to support all the bodiestissue, functions and systems. The dance of the digestive fire is also perfectly in tune with nature and the sun. Digestive fire is strongest when the sun is highest in the sky at noon.
When this system is functioning well and we are living and eating in accordance with this rhythm, we feel satisfied yet light after a meal, there is no bloating or heartburn. Bowel movements are soft ,regular and energy levels are high.
This is rarely what occurs in modern life. Our digestive fire cannot keep up with what are feeding itand what gets pushed into the bowel is partially digested food that is seen as a foreign invader. The immune system within the bowel goes into full alert to mount an chronic inflammatory responsewhich manifests as allergies, sinusitis and skin rashes.
Stress also has a huge role to play. Many of us are unconsciously locked in the “ fight- flight “ mode- all the body’s energy and resources are directed to the muscles and senses to maintain our hyper vigilant and reactive state, and away from the digestive system.
So here are 5 simple tips that you can try to deal with your digestive complaints:
1.Eliminate Wheat.
I truly believe that wheat is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to digestive disorders. Mass produced bread from over processed wheat is poison to the bowel. Wheat is a relatively new grain to humans and our body’s haven’t adapted to producing the necessary enzymes to digest wheat.
Try eliminating all wheat from your diet for just 2 weeks and see the difference it makes to your bowel function and energy levels.
2. Answers from Ayurveda
- try eating your main meal at lunch time when the digestive fire is strongest. Lunch time is also the perfect time to be eating raw food and salads.s
- Dinner should be light and should be eaten as far from bedtime as possible. A short walk after dinner always helps.
- Avoid eating fruit as dessert as this will cause bloating. Fruit should be eaten on it’s own or as a snack
- Slow down your eating and chew your food properly.
- Avoid drinking too much water with your meals as this will dilute your digestive fire.
- avoid drinking cold water as this will have the same effect.
- Begin your morning with a big glass of hot water infused with fresh ginger and a slice of honey. This will clear toxins that have accumulated at night and will stimulate your bowel for elimination.
3. Supplements guide
- Probiotics. It is imperative to maintain a healthy balance of good bacteria in the bowel .Taking a good probiotic supplement will repopulate the bowel. However ensure that you are taking high enough potency.
- Omega 3/ Fish oil to help heal the lining of the gut. It also acts as an ant inflammatory.
- Digestive enzymes taken with meals will assist the stomach to break down meals and will assist with bloating and constipation
- Glutamine also assists in healing the lining of the bowel.
- A supplement or formula containing peppermint oil has been shown to be effective in treating the spasm associated with IBS. I personally prescribe a great product called Iberogast.
4. Breathing
Many of us have breathing patterns are dysfunctional. Shallow fast breathing activates the fight flight response and vice versa. Deep slow conscious breathing can break this pattern and activate the parasympathetic nervous system which will assist better digestive function.
When we breathe deeply, the movement of the diaphragm works assists to massage and nourish the digestive organs with every breath.
Try this technique: Breath in for a count of 5, hold for a count of 5 then exhale slowly for a count of 10. Repeat 10 times.
5. Solar Plexus
It is always helpful to address emotional and psychological aspects when treating IBS. Mind Body medicine recognises that the digestive system is linked to the “ Solar Plexus energy centre” which is connected to self esteem, self worth, personal power and boundary setting. It is also often linked to the need for control and perfection.
In conclusion....
Remember that these tips are general and that each individual is unique with a different body type, lifestyle and emotional factors. What works for one person might not work for another. It is often a longer and more challenging path to the root cause but so worth the effort. Find a doctor or a healthcare professional who takes the time to listen to your story and who will assist you to create a healthcare regime that is most supportive of your unique body and soul.
Good luck!
No comments:
Post a Comment