Irritable bowel syndrome and homeopathy
It’s ‘only’ IBS, ‘your tests are normal – can be your doctor’s response in finding out what is causing your ‘tummy aches’. As if the tummy aches, constipation and/or diarrhoea weren’t annoying enough. Although it is reassuring to find out that you do not have stomach ulcers, diverticulitis, or colon cancer.
However, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not managed well or holistically with conventional treatment as it focusses on 1 symptom at a time. (Antispasmodics, anti-acids, dietary exclusion diet)
IBS is a cluster of symptoms; the triggers could be stress, after-effects of a stomach bug, food intolerance or a sudden change of diet.
‘Gut reactions’ are real; the bowel reacts to emotional states of anger or anxiety. These more likely affect people who find it difficult to express or share feelings, thus expressing mental distress through physical symptoms.
Other possible causes of IBS symptoms are food sensitivities (not allergy which occurs very swiftly and intensely after ingesting a small quantity of the allergen), consequences of antibiotic usage that has caused abnormal fermentation in the colon and candida.
It is a fairly common condition that can occur at any age, affecting as much as 20% of the population, with more sufferers in the 20-40 age group and more females than males affected.
It is essential to treat IBS by prescribing on the totality of the patient’s symptoms, including the emotional and mental as well as any other physical symptoms besides the bowel ones.
Some common symptoms of IBS;
- Abdominal pain associated with defecation.
- Irregular pattern of defecation for at least two days a week.
- Three or more of the following: alteration in stool frequency, in form, change in straining or urgency, sense of incomplete evacuation, bloating or abdominal distension, mucous in the stools.
WARNING: Do not ignore the symptoms below; they need investigation:
- Change in bowel habit.
- Passing blood via the rectum.
- Weight loss.
- Constant abdominal pain.
Homeopathy can treat the root cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, resulting in gentle and permanent relief from painful and stressful symptoms.