Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a group of symptoms that affect your digestive system. It’s a common but uncomfortable gastrointestinal disease, or condition that affects your intestines.

Most people with IBS have normal bowel movements on some days and abnormal ones on others. The abnormal days define the kind of IBS you have.

• IBS with constipation (IBS-C)

• IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)

• IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M)

The differences are important.

Signs and symptoms of IBS include:

• Abdominal Pain or cramps, usually related to the urge to poop.

• Excess gas and bloating.

• Diarrhea, constipation or alternating between the two.

• Mucus in your poop (may look whitish).

• Feeling like you’re unable to empty your bowels after pooping.

Exactly causes of IBS is unknown, but classify it as a neuro gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. These conditions, also called disorders of the gut brain interaction, have to do with problems with how your gut and brain coordinate to help your digestive system work.

Communication challenges between your brain and gut can cause:

* Dysmotility:

You may have problems with how your GI muscles contract and move food through your GI tract. The muscle tends to contract more in people with IBS. These contractions cause cramps and pain.

* Visceral Hypersensitivity :

You may have extra-sensitive nerves in your GI tract. People with IBS tend to have a lower pain tolerance than people without it. Your digestive tract may be super sensitive to abdominal pain or discomfort.

Other potential causes of IBS include:

* Gut bacteria:

Research has shown that people with IBS may have altered bacteria in their GI tract, contributing to symptoms. Studies have shown that the types and amounts of gut bacteria are different in people with IBS than in people without it.

* Severe infections:

Some people get diagnosed with IBS after a severe infection affecting their GI tract, suggesting germs may play a role.

Sensitivities or allergies to certain foods may contribute to IBS.

* Childhood stress:

IBS is more common in people who experienced severe stressors in childhood.

Investigations :-

Most lab tests exclude other conditions that may be causing your symptoms, like an infection, food intolerance or a different digestive condition, like IBD. Not everyone needs the same tests.

* Blood test :

To check for a digestive disease condition or another condition that may cause your symptoms.

* Stool Test :

To check for an infection or signs of inflammation in your bowel caused by a digestive condition.

* Hydrogen breath test :

To see if you have an overgrowth of bacteria in your gut or a food intolerance.

* Imaging tests

You may need imaging procedures to rule out conditions involving inflammation or abnormal growths in your GI tract.

- Colonoscopy

- Flexible sigmoidoscopy

- Upper endoscopy

Role of homeopathy in Irritable Bowel Syndrome:-

- It offers excellent treatment which has a success rate of over 70%

- It offers immuno-correction hence gives deep-level healing

- It offers long-lasting cure instead of temporary relief.

- It is absolutely harmless, safe and non-toxic.

- It helps arrest further progress of disease and hence deterioration caused by disease.

- If administered in early stage it prevents complications like joint swelling, skin and eye complication, and even chances of colon cancer.