Irritable bowel system ( IBS ) And Homoeopathy

Irritable bowel system ( IBS )also known as spastic or irritable colon , usually starts in the early to mild adult years .once you have it , the condition tends to come and go through out your life .

What is it ?

Irritable bowel system ( IBS ) is a disturbance of the action of the muscles in the wall of the large bowel that propel the residue from the digestive system towards the rectum , Before the diagnosis can be made it is essential that your doctor excludes other diseases

What are the symptoms ?

• Intermittent , cramping abdominal pain .
• Irregular bowel habit , i.e., constipation , diarrhoea or bouts of both
• Abdominal distension Is swelling), usually on the left side , that is relieved by a bowel movement or by passing wind
• Excessive wind in the bowel with rumbles and gurgles
• A sense of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement
• Eating often makes the symptoms worse

What are the causes ?

The causes of IBS are not fully understood , but they appear to be related , or at least made worse by stress , Many doctors believe that there are also dietary causes involved

SELF HELP

1.Reduce stress

• Think about changes in your life style that would reduce your stress levels .Take time off work regularly to relax , have at least one holiday a year
• Take more exercise . This helps to burn up the adrenalin produced by the anxieties and frustrations of life . Exercise also benefits your heart and bones
• Learn relaxation , meditation or yoga . Treat yourself to a massage or aromatherapy , If you can’t afford to go to an expert , get a self book from the library and experiment with your partner or a friend
• Adopt a positive approach to your life , go to self assertion classes . Do some thing about the office bully or any thing else that is upsetting you

2.change your diet

Make changes to your diet gradually . Dramatic changes on your eating habits tends to upset the digestive system .

There is no single change that will benefit every one to be prepared to spend some time finding out what really suits your best .

• Try eating more fiber you should eat 25-30 gm /1/2-1ozof fiber a day
• Eat less sugar , including honey , if you crave a sweet snack , choose dried fruit ( this will not increase your fiber intake )
• Some people are helped by eating less fat , drinking more water , or by eating smaller meals more frequently
• Keep a food and symptom dairy for a weeks ; this may help to suggest food that are causing problematic symptom

BELCHING AND FLATULANCE

Sudden explosion of gas from the stomach through the mouth known as belching often  eating certain foods , especially highly seasoned foods , peas and beans , some vegetables and fruit that have a high carbohydrate content . Flatulence is also often present with the digestive systems such as indigestion or when you suffer from a stomach problem and diarrhoea abroad . It can also be problem if you have swallowed excess air when you are rushing and eat a meal too quickly

SYMPTOMS/MEDICINES

·       Sour belching and vomiting …………….acetic acid

·       Violent stomach pain ……………………….”-“

·       A cold sweat and cold skin ……………….. “-“

·       Loss of appetite …………………………..antimonium crud

·       Violent stomach pain ………………………”-“-“

·       Belch taste of the food just eaten………….antimonium crud

·       Belching accompanies stomach upsets …argentum nitricum

·       Pain over stomach…………………………..”-“……….

·       Belching heaviness ………………………..carbo vegetabilis

·       Much flatulence that is not relieved ………..”-“………

·       Belching is worse after eating fruit ………..”-“………..

·       Large quantities of offensive gas are belched —dioscorea

• A burning sensation in the pharynx……………lycopodium
• Food tastes sour …………………………………….”……..
• Abdomen is bloated …………………………………”…….
• Flatulent colic accompanied by belching of gas …magnesia phosphorica
• Bending double provides relief ……………………………..”……….
• Chronic indigestion…………………………………natrum carbonicum
• Frequent belching ………………………………………..”……….
• Sour stomach……………………………………………..”…………..
• Sour bitter difficult belches ……………………  ……..nux vomica……
• Belches large quantities of wind straight after eating …phosphoous
• Hot sour belching…………………………………………podophylum
• Belching alternates ………………………………………wyethia  

Dosage : use the 30c potency take three times a day for two to three days

CONSTIPATION :

Constipation is a condition where the bowels are opened only infrequently and with difficulty . Most cases arise from a poor diet , where too much refined food such as white bread and cakes is eaten ,an increased intake fiber in the form of fruits and vegetables , bran , whole meal ,bread and brown rice will often relieve the condition , unfortunately constipation is a common occurrence during pregnancy where is then tends to aggravate piles and varicose veins , if they are present it is also one of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome .

SYMPTOMS/MEDICINES

• Stools are either , soft and sticky or hard and dry ……………….alumina
• Defecation is difficult and there is no desire to open the bowels……”…..
• Even a soft stool requires considerable straining ‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’”
• Stools are hard dry dark , and lumpy ……………………………bryonia alba
• Defecation is difficult because of a lack of urge ……………………..”………
• Tools are smelly and lumpy and stick together and mucus ………graphites
• Stools are painful to pass and causes a smarting sore and pain …….”……
• Hard dry stools which are pain full to pass ………………………..lycopodium
• Influential urging with the rectum protruding ……………………….”…….
• Piles frequently develop…………………………………………………”…….
• Frequent ineffectual desire ………………………………………….nux vomica
• Incomplete stools so the rectum feels un emptied ……………………..”……
• Purgatives may have been taken for a long time ……………………….”….
• A complete lack of desire to pass stools ………………………………     opium
• Stool is composed of hard little balls which protrude and then recede……”…
• Constipation affects the appetite , which is poor ………………………       “  
• Frequent unsuccessful  urging ………………………………………platina
• Stools seem to adhere to the rectum…………………………………..”….
• Often helpful if other homoeopathic medicines fail ………………….”…
• Stools are hard dry , lumpy and black and may become impacted /plumbum
• Rectum feels paralysed …………………………………………………..”….
• Stools are hard in balls and are difficult to pass ……………………….sepia
• Rectal pain during and after stools are passed ………………………….sepia
• A hard stool is felt which may slip back when partially expelled ………silica
• Stools are hard , dry black and smelly ………………………………sulphur
• Anal irritation ……………………………………………………………..”…

• Pain and burning with defecation …………………………….sulphur
• Reluctance to defecate because of the pain……………………sulphur

Dosage : use the 6c potency take these three times a day until an improvement occurs then reduce to twice a day for three days then stop.

INDIGESTION AND HEART BURN

Indigestion is the discomfort that is felt in the upper abdomen which usually occurs after eating too much food , eating too quickly or Indigestion is the discomfort that is felt in the upper abdomen which usually occurs after eating too much food , eating too quickly or after eating fatty or highly spiced food , emotional stress can also be a factor . however the term indigestion is often also used to describe a variety of symptoms including belching , nausea and vomiting and also heart burn .

Heart burn is a burning pain behind the breast bone that can be caused by the back flow. of stomach acid during pregnancy a hairus hernia ( protrusion of part of the stomach into the chest ) or obesity . It is aggravated by lying flat , by bending over and drinking alcohol .If you have regular bouts of indigestion , you should see your doctor so that the underlying cause can be investigated .

SYMPTOMS /MEDICINES ;

• Indigestion from stress and tension ………………aletris farinose
• No food is desired ……………………………………….”………
• Vomiting is also usually present ………………………….”……..
• Pain in the pit of the stomach ……………………………..”………
• Heart burn and nausea with belching ………….ammonium carbonicum
• Chilliness ………………………………………………..”………….
• Nervous indigestion is relieved by food …………anacardium      
• Indigestion after eating fruit , acedic foods ,ice cream or cold drinks ..arsenic album,
• Indigestion after drinking cold drinks , taken when you are over heated ..bryonia album
• Heart burn with loud belching ………………………calcarea carb 
• Craving for indigestible things …………………………..” ……..
• Flatulent  indigestion …………………………………..capsicum
• Craving for stimulants such as coffee …………..capsicum
• A sinking feeling   in the pit of the stomach ………….” …..
• A sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach ………..”…….
• Great thirst ………………………………………….”…..
• Nausea acid heart burn and acid belching……….conium maculatum
• Indigestion is worse after going to bed and lying down …..”……
• Eating relieves the indigestion temporarily ……………….” ………
• Food tastes sour ……………………………………            lycopodium 
• Distension and indigestion from eating carbo hydrates……..” “”….
• Excessive hunger but the stomach feels full after eating only a small amount of food ……lycopodium
• Thirst for cold drinks ……………………..mercurius solubilus
• Continental hunger ………………………………””……….
• Hiccough and acid regurgitation …………….    “  ………..
• Heart burn and palpitations ……………….Natrum muriaticum
• Sour belches and taste ……………………….natrum phos 
• A yellow creamy coating ……………………..natrum phos
• Depression …………………………………….nitric acid
• Immense hunger ……………………………….”.’………
• Flatulent indigestion and hiccoughs ………….nux muschata
• Ravenous appetite for foods that disagree as well as highly seasoned foods…nux vomica
• Acid indigestion …………………………sepia
• Abdomen feels bloated …………………..”….
• Nausea at the sight or smell of food ….. sepia
• A faint sinking feeling that is not eased  sepia
• Great acidity with either a complete loss of or excessive appetite ..sulphur
• Milk disagrees with the digestive system …………sulphur
• Feels week and faint at around 11 am …………….sulphur
• Heart burn eating sweet things ……………………zincum metalicum

Dosage : use the 12c potency take every two hours until an improvement occurs repeat as and when necessary

PEPTIC ULCERS

Peptic ulcers are raw areas that have been eroded by gastric acid and can occur in the stomach or the duodenum . Typically an ulcer causes gnawing upper abdominal pain when the stomach is empty .The pain is normally relieved by eating , drinking or taking an antacid preparation , but occasionally gastric ulcer become more pain full after eating other symptoms are belching , indigestion or nausea and vomiting . if you suspect an ulcer you should consult your doctor for medical advice and investigation –urgently  the pain becomes severe your stools are black or if you are losing the weight .

SYMTOMS/MEDICINES

• A loss of appetite and solid food is vomited………….hydrastis
• A constant dull pain ……………………………………..”…….
• An aversion to bread and vegetables ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,”….
• Pain in the small area over the stomach …………….kalibichromium
• Vomiting of yellow fluid……………………………………”……..
• A heavy feeling is felt after eating………………………….”..”……
• Great hunger , but without any increase in weight …….psorinum
• A need to get up at night to eat ……………………………..”……
• Regurgitation of our liquid which may have a smell……                   psorinum

Dosage : use the 30c potency, take three times a day for two or three days.

NAUSEA AND VOMITING

Nausea /and vomiting rarely last for more than 24 hours ,but if you have frequent or prolonged episodes of nausea and vomiting , you should consult your doctor so that the cause can be investigated .

However your need urgent medical advise , if in addition to nausea and /or vomiting , the vomit contains blood or particles that look like coffee grounds and also bare

Severe abdominal pain , a head ache , fever or have had a recent head injury 

SYMPTOMS /MEDICINES

• Indigestion and after dietary indiscretion …………….antimonium crudum

• Nausea that is made worse by drinking ……………………….”-“………..
• A white coating on tongue …………………………………………”.”……..
• Nausea , vomiting and diarrhoea ……………………..arsenicum album….
• Nauseous symptoms brought on by over ripe fruit ………….” ……….
• A burning discomfort that is relieved by warm drinks ………”………
• Nausea from odors , especially eggs and fish ……………..colchicum  
• A distended abdomen …………………………………………..” …….
• Nausea that is not relieved by being sick ……………….ipecacuhona
• Strong aversion to food , even to smell ……………………..”…..
• Profile salivation………………………………………………” …….
• Vomiting occurs 2-3 hours after eating …………………nux vomica
• Symptoms are brought on by anger , over indulgence in food alcohol …nux vomica
• Symptoms are relieved by warmth applied to the abdomen or warm drinks ……….nux vomica
• Symptoms are improved by cold drinks , but these are vomited back as soon as they are warmed up in the stomach ………..phosphorous
• Symptoms are brought on by fats , rich food , ice cream and pork …pulsatilla
• Lack of thirst ………………..pulsatilla
• A desire for open air ………..pulsatilla
• Travel sickness , made worse by the thought of food ….cocculus
• Nausea and vomiting accompanied by copious salivation ….cocculus
• A need to lie down …………………………………………cocculus
• Nausea on seeing , smelling food ………………..sepia
• Nausea aggravated by cigarette smoke …………sepia
• Nausea before eating in the morning or after a meal …sepia
• Copious vomiting made worse by drinking …….veratrum album
• A craving for fruit cold or acidic drinks ……………..”…………
• Nausea gets worse when moving about ………………”……….
• Feels very week after vomiting ………………      veratrum album

Dosage :  use the 30c potency take the selected medicine three times a day for two or three days.

DIARRHOEA AND COLITIS

Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the digestive tract and it is the most frequent cause of diarrhoea , inflammation that is confined to the colon is called colitis ( part of the large intestine ) is called colitis and here the diarrohea usually contains blood and mucus and may also be accompanied by abdominal pain and fever . colitis is a feature of Crohnn’s disease and ulcerative colitis .

If you have either of these conditions , you should treat them homoeopathically only under the supervision of a doctor .

SYMPTOMS/MEDICINES

• Cold drinks may bring on the diarrhoea ……………………………………”…..aconitum
• Diarrhoea after exposure to cold dry winds or as a result of a fright ….aconitum
• Vomiting at the same time as the diarrhoea ……….,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,………………………arsenicum album
• Symptoms are worse during the night ……………….”-.’………
• Thirst for small quantities of warm drinks ………….”  ………..
• Restleness and anxiety ………………………………arsenicum album
• Painless watery offensive yellow tools ……………  
• Diarrhoea after eating too much fruits…………………………………….”……….china officianallis
• Painless watery offensive yellow stools ………….china officinalis
• Painfull cramping colic relieved by pressure or by bending double ………….colocynthis
• Thin , spluttery , copious , yellow stools immediately after eating …..colocynthis
• Painless , profuse , watery stools containing undigested food .. acid phosphoric
• Illness may be of a nervous origin ……….phosphoric acid
• Profuse , spluttery , watery stools containing undigested food ..podophylum
• Diarrhoea is worse in the early morning and is often preceded painful colic ………………..podophylum
• Stools are extremely offensive …………….podophylum
• Diarrhoea is followed by weakness……….podophylum
• Morning diarrhoea is mixed with wind and the stools are lumpy and watery ……………aloe socortina
• A sudden urging with a fear of being incontinent …..aloe socortina
• Stools containing blood and mucus ……………….cantharis
• Pain in the rectum after passing stools …………..cantharis
• Green watery stools when the summer weather turns cool ,,,,,,,,,dulcamara
• Diarrhoea comes with damp , cold weather …………………………””……
• Diarrhoea in the evening ………………………………………….dulcamara
• Yellow watery stools in the morning after break fast…………natrum sulph
• Diarrhoea from vegetables and after wet weather …………….natrum sulph

Dosage : use the 12 c potency , take every hour until an improvement is maintained

PILES;  haemorroids

Piles can occur at any age , but they are a frequent complication of pregnancy , Internal piles are varicose veins occurring in the anal canal , often however plies become external and although these are painless ,they may develop a clot with in them selves which may be very painful .An early symptom of piles is an anal irritation . There may be feeling of some thing coming down . Particularly after defecation and in about half of the cases , there is anal bleeding .

Although haemmorroids are not a serious medical problem rectal or anal pain or bleeding requires early medical diagnosis .

SYMPTOMS/MEDICINES

• A sensation of splinters in the rectum ………aesculus hippocastarnum
• Aching in the lower back ………………………………….”…”””’
• Purple piles ………………………………………………” “……..
• Burning itching dryness of the anus …………………….”’’’’……..
• And pain for hours after stools are passed ……………..”-……….
• Severe lower back ache ………………………aesculus hippocastarrnum
• Piles protrude like a bunch of grapes and bleed easily…aloe socortia
• Cold water applications provide relief ……………………….””””…..
• Marked burning in the anus …………………………………….”””…
• A tendency to diarrhoea …………………………………aloe socortina
• Bluish colored piles ………………………………………arsenicum album
• A stretching pain when walking or sitting ………………..””””……..
• A burning pain , itching ,smarting and stinging occurs …………………………………arsenicum album
• Bleeding piles ……………………………………………..capsicum
• Anal burning , itching , smarting and stinging occurs when passing stools ………………….capsicum
• Painful bleeding piles ………………………………colinsonia
• Constipation with no urge to defecate ………………..”’……
• Itching around the anus …………………………………”’….
• Piles protrude , burn and sting …………………graphites
• Piles are worse when sitting ………………………..”.”’’’
• Piles  bleed  profusely……………………………hamamalis
• Burning , soreness and a sensation of fullness …….” “…..
• Anus feel raw …………………………………………..”…..
• Back ache and urging to pass stool …………………”’…..
• A stitching  pain shoots up the rectum ………….                        Ignatia
• Piles protrude when stools are passed and need pushing back…Ignatia
• Painful piles ………………………………………………….mellifolium
• Bluish , hot , painful piles ……………….muratic acid
• Piles and prolapse ………………………  podophylum
• Anal oozing soft faeces ……………………sulphur
• Itching and burning ………………………….”….
• Early morning diarrhoea………………….sulphur

Dosage : use the 6c potency take twice a day until an improvement is maintained for thrombosed , painful piles a dose may be taken every three hours until there is relief

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

IBS—IBS is said to be most common reason for people seeking the advice of a doctor specializing in the diseases of the digestive tract

SYMPTOMS /MEDICINES

• Considerable stomach distension with much flatulence /..argentums nitricum
• Stools are green like chopped spinach ……………………………”.”………..
• Diarrhoea comes on immediately after eating or drinking ……………”….
• Motions are loose and are made much worse by any anxiety or fear ,….”…..
• Anticipation an ordeal such as an examination or an interview , may produce the symptoms…………………………..argantum nitricum
• Diarrhoea alternates with constipation ………..               antimonium crudum
• Stools are slimy with much mucus , but also contain hard lumps …….”….
• Tongue becomes coated thick and white …………………………..”……….
• A craving for acids and pickles ……………………………………..”-“……..
• Diarrhoea is frothy , painless and yellow ……………china officianalis
• Symptoms worse at night and after eating …………………”………..
• Very weak and has a good deal of flatulence ……………….”..”……..
• Frequent belching does not help to ease the symptoms ……..”………
• A pain full area just below the navel …………………colocynthis
• Stools are loose and are like jelly ……………………………”….
• Severe colic pains in the abdomen eased by bending double and pressing on the abdomen or by applying a hot water bottle ………..colocynthis
• Abdomen is pain full rumbling and distended ………..gambogia
• Sudden diarrhoea with a burning anus …………………….”….
• Cramping pain after stools have been passed ………….     graphites
• Loose, brown , and mixed with undigested food particles….graphites
•  Stools are very smelly and have a sour odor …………………..”….
• colic pains in both right and left sides of the abdomen ……                  ignatia
• painful constriction of the anus after passing stools ……….                 ignatia
• diarrhoea and pain come on after experiencing a shock or a fright….ignatia
• stabbing abdominal pains , stools are greenish bloody  and slimy and all the symptoms are worse at night ………………mercurius solubilus
• loose stools more frequent during the morning are yellow and watery …………………………………………………natrum sulphuricum
• large amount of stools are passed ……………………””””””…….
• Tight clothing around the waist causes burning sensations in the colon and abdominal pain as , if bruised ……………..natrum sulph
• Early morning diarrhoea on waking ………sulphur
• Abdomen is very sensitive to pressure and colic tends to occur after drinking ……………………………………………….sulphur
• Dosage: use the 12 c potency take every hour until there is an improvement repeat as and when necessary