Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or spastic colon is a rather common intestinal tract disease which is characterized by sharp pain in the stomach, stomach gas, diarrhea or constipation. It is a chronic condition whose exact cause, although unknown, is sometimes attributed to the dysfunctional production of the neurotransmitter, dopamine.

There is no particular treatment for IBS. However, the symptoms can be brought under control through various methods. The symptoms of IBS can be controlled by making lifestyle changes such as incorporating certain modifications to your diet and reducing or managing stress levels. For severe symptoms, you may require medications.

Patients may also consider homeopathic treatment for a rather wholesome effect and lesser side effects. The purpose of homeopathic treatment is to stimulate the body s inner self-balancing mechanisms. In order to achieve this, this person must be provided with the right solution at the right time. Since homeopathy aims at treating the root cause of the problem, the treatment is stretched over a longer period of time. Additionally, homeopathy functions by stimulating the natural healing capabilities of the body. Some of the common homeopathic medications that can be used to treat IBS are listed below:

Pulsatilla: Prepared from a medicinal plant known as wind flower, Pulsatilla is effective in the cure of IBS with its remedying effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
Nux Vomica: This too is derived from a plant and has a positive effect on the digestive and nervous system, thereby being effective in the treatment of IBS.
Sulphur: It is one of the most common choices among homeopathic practitioners for IBS. Sulphur affects the digestive tract and is helpful in the treatment of intestinal gas and constipation. It is usually prescribed for individuals who are rather thin and physically weak.
Lycopodium Clavatum: This is mainly prescribed for people with diarrhea and stomach gas. This drug acts specifically on the gastrointestinal tract
Asafoetida: This drug is prescribed when there is a fairly common constriction in the bowel muscles.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - 5 Homeopathic Remedies For It

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS as it is more commonly known is a problem with the gastrointestinal tract, where, as the name suggests, the bowel is irritated. It is a syndrome, which is a group of symptoms, and not a single issue. The exact cause is still not known, but most people with IBS have higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. It is therefore considered a psychosomatic condition, where an unhealthy state of mind is reflected in body symptoms.

Unani also refers to IBS as nervous indigestion, intestinal neurosis, and irritable colon.
Symptoms: 

These are worsened when there is an actual episode, which is usually during increased stress levels.
Altered bowel movement (violent episodes of diarrhoea) alternating with constipation
Severe stomach cramps, which is worsened with eating and better after passing stools
Bloated feeling (stomach full of gas)
Change in stool (flat ribbon stools or pencil stools)
Feeling of incomplete stool emptying
General fatigue and malaise
Diagnosis is confirmed with a combination of symptoms, clinical exam, and investigations including stool tests. The two common findings are altered intestinal motility and increased visceral perception to stimulus.
If a patient presents with constipation, the bowel motility is reduced, and in those presenting with diarrhoea, the movement of food through the colon is very rapid.

While there are no sure remedies for IBS in allopathy, natural medicine systems like Unani have effective remedies. Both single and compound drugs are tried, and in most studies, the results have been very encouraging. The commonly used products are listed below.

Bel (Aegle marmelos): The fruit and leaves of bel are known for their stomach-friendly properties. It is useful in chronic diarrhoea conditions and also during typhoid. Bel juice is available for ready use. Also, the leaves can be boiled in water, and this extract can be stored and consumed over a period of time.
Cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum): This common ingredient in most curries does wonders for the stomach. It is very friendly on the stomach and soothes the stomach lining. It reduces irritation and eases bowel movement. In addition to regular usage, when IBS flares up, cumin seeds can be boiled in water, and this can be cooled and stored for use over a period of time.
Amla (gooseberry) (Embilica Oficinalis): This again is useful in treating diarrhoea and has a cooling and soothing effect on the stomach. This is used in multiple forms   raw gooseberry, boiled, and even juice forms.
These are used either as a single agent or as compound agents for treating IBS. Unani also believes that controlling anxiety and emotional symptoms can help in avoiding flare-ups of IBS.

Irritable Bowel - How Unani Medicine Can Help to Treat It?

The bowel is a very important part of your body within the digestive system as it plays a vital role in the absorption of nutrients and minerals within your body as well as excreting toxic matter. The bowel contains the small bowel or small intestine as well as the large bowel or the large intestine. However, parts of the bowel may be infected or damaged in such a manner that they may need to be removed in order to save further worsening. Thus, the removal of sections of the bowels is known as bowel resection surgery.

How is bowel resection surgery performed?

In this procedure, sections of either the large intestine or the small intestine are removed which have either become diseased, infected or have malignant growths within them. The doctors and surgeons first identify the sections that need to be removed and then perform the surgery wherein a section of the tissue is excised and then two ends of the bowel are stitched together to form a new section of continuous small intestine or large intestine.

Types of bowel resection
There are two types of bowel resection, namely small bowel resection performed on the small intestine and large bowel resection performed on the large intestine. The indications for both of them are mentioned below:
Small Bowel resection: Some of the cases wherein small bowel resection may be required are as follows:

Cancerous or benign polyps or growth
Precancerous growths and polyps
Damage to the small intestine due to injuries
Congenital defects in the small intestine
Blockages in the intestine
Growth of ulcers, bleeding, and infection within the small intestine
Infections within the intestines
Other disorders of the small intestine
Large bowel resection: Large bowel resection is also carried out due to many of the same reasons as mentioned above. However, some of the specific reasons for large bowel resection are mentioned below:

Colon cancer
Diverticulitis, disorder that specifically affects the large intestine
Bowel inflammation or ulcerative colitis
Abnormal twisting of the bowel also known as volvulus
Intestines which slide into another section of the intestine; also known as intussusception
Risks of the bowel resection
Like any other surgery, bowel resection also carries its own risks just as any other form of surgery. Some of the common risks of bowel resection are  

Adverse reaction to anesthesia
Infections
Heart attacks or strokes during the operation
Infections
Excessive bleeding among others
Specific risks for large and small bowel resections are mentioned as follows:

Small bowel resection: Certain common risks include accumulation of pus in the abdomen, internal bleeding within the intestine after surgery, diarrhea, infection of the incision area and the stitched area breaking open among others
Large bowel resection: In this case, tissues protruding through the cut causing an incisional hernia is the most common element of risk. Nearby organs may be damaged as well; scar tissue, problems with the passage of material within the colon among others are some of the other complications.
However, these issues occur rarely and resections are performed very successfully and quite regularly by surgeons.

Bowel Resection Surgery - Facts You Should be Aware of 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a blend of stomach discomfort or pain and issues with bowel routines: either constipation or diarrhea; or having a different kind of stool (slender, hard, or delicate and fluid). A healthy routine diet by and large comprises of eating a wide number of nutritious, low-fat nourishments with some restraint. Be that as it may, you may see an increase in your symptoms after you eat certain kinds of food when you have an irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Since side effects can fluctuate between patients, there is not just one list of off-limit foods, but with that said, there are a plenty of foods that are good for your health and do not irritate your bowel habits. By staying away from the most basic irritants of IBS, you may see more consistency and also less cramps and bloating. Some of the foods that you can consume during IBS are as follows:

Fiber adds bulk to your digestive system. It is broadly accessible in grains, vegetables and natural products. Eating a lot of insoluble fiber as grains can increase your trips to the bathroom. Concentrate on soluble fiber. This includes vegetables and natural products.
While the insoluble fiber content in whole grains might be an irritant in IBS indications, certain grains cause different issues. Items containing rye, wheat, and grain contain gluten. This is a sort of protein that can harm your digestion tracts and increase symptoms of IBS. While a hypersensitivity to gluten is known as celiac infection, in any case half the patients in IBS are gluten-intolerant. Fortunately, more gluten-free items are available in the market these days. In case you cannot manage without pizza, pasta, cakes, you can simply substitute them with gluten-free products of the same kind.
Consume plenty fruits and vegetables.
Take carbohydrates in required quantity like bread, rice, oats, pasta, potatoes, chapattis and plantain.
 If you happen to be lactose intolerant, include substitutes like soya, rice or oat, milk and yogurts that are rich in calcium.
Some meat, fish, eggs and alternatives like beans.
Take a limited amount of foods high in fats and sugars. Decrease intake of saturated fat that is found in butter, ghee, cheddar, meat, cakes and baked goods. Substitute these with unsaturated fats found in vegetable oils, for example, sunflower, rapeseed and olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds.
Drink a lot of liquid, no less than two liters every day, for example, water or natural teas.
Whenever you go out to eat, make sure you ask for gluten-free food. Sometimes, certain kinds of food might appeal to you but try not to get tempted too often by the menu and harm your health because of it. Stick to a healthy diet.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - What Should You Eat?

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of the large intestine. It may cause abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. The condition is not life threatening in nature and does not make you susceptible to colon disorders such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and colon cancer, however, symptoms of IBS may act as deterrents in leading a normal life.

Symptoms
The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are: 
1. You may experience symptoms of constipation
2. Frequent episodes of diarrhea
3. Abdominal cramps especially on the lower part of the abdomen
4. Constant bloating
5. Abnormal stool structure 
6. You belly might stick out 
In some cases, you may experience sexual problems and urinary problems. In addition, if you also suffer from stress related disorders then it might aggravate the symptoms.

Causes
The primary cause is that the colon becomes very sensitive such that small stimulation may cause it to react. When the food passes through the colon, it tends contract strongly and leads to complications, such as bloating and constipation. It may also lead to weak contractions of the colon which leads to hardened stool.
There are certain things which may symptoms of IBS, they are: 

1. Stress: Any type of stress tends to aggravate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

2. Foods: Certain foods such as chocolate, spices, cabbage, milk and carbonated beverages may trigger symptoms of IBS.

3. Hormones: Hormonal changes such as the ones during menstrual cycles may aggravate symptoms of IBS. 

4. Illnesses: Various illnesses such as diarrhea or conditions such as overproduction of bacteria in the intestines may lead to symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Women are more likely to be affected by symptoms of IBS as are people who are below 45 years of age. If someone in your family has irritable bowel syndrome, then you are also likely to develop this disorder. It may also aggravate symptoms of hemorrhoids, along with aggravating symptoms of stress.

All About Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS ( Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or Spastic Colon, is a disorder of the intestines that causes discomfort including stomach pain, abdominal gas, trouble with bowel movement,diarrhea, and even constipation. It isn't a life-threatening disease but having said that, it can be severe enough in some patients to interfere with daily functioning and routines.

Although difficult to cure completely, IBS can be managed with some alterations in a person's lifestyle, especially one's diet, which plays a crucial role in easing symptoms and improving the quality of life. Hence, following a dietary regime suited to the IBS system is paramount.

There is no one-size-fits-all, single best diet for IBS sufferers, but one must develop one's own diet plan by carefully observing and monitoring their food intake, whilst taking into account foods that generally provoke symptoms and those foods that are well tolerated.

Firstly, food allergies and intolerances such as lactose intolerance must be considered. Try dairy alternatives like soya milk, oat milk or even yogurt rich in calcium and vitamins.
Other culprits are fatty foods which worsen bowel symptoms as they are difficult to digest. Embark on a low-fat diet which is good for your heart and doesn't irritate the digestive tract's delicate lining. Steer clear of fried foods and instead choose low fat foods with minimal processing.
Should you go for a high fiber diet or a low fiber one? To decide, it's essential to consider which is more suited to your body. For some, a high fiber diet may be beneficial adding bulk to stools enabling a smooth trouble free bowel movement. Fibrous foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains. However, if fiber ends up giving you a sense of bloating, include soluble fiber in your diet and limit grains.
Avoid hot, spicy foods, coffee, carbonated drinks, alcohol, and sugars: These are known triggers for IBS sufferers, and may stimulate colonic spasms. Eating healthy and getting the right mix of nutrients is essential as one needs to be careful about what his or her stomach can digest. And this makes avoiding unhealthy junk food a must.

Maintaining a food diary to observe and track the impact of different foods can be a good start towards planning a healthy diet.

Best Diet for IBS Patients

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