IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common bowel disorders. It affects over 11% of the world’s population. Common IBS symptoms include
- Damage to the intestines
- Abdominal pain
- Cramping
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Indigestion
There are various treatment methods prescribed for IBS cure. But medical experts today are increasingly recommending Vijaya to help alleviate this condition. Here, we explore the common treatments for IBS and compare their approach.
Common Medications for IBS Cure
Common prescription medications for IBS cure include-
- Fiber supplements
- Laxatives
- Antispasmodics
- Antidepressants
- Antidiarrheal
- Antibiotics
- Traditional painkillers
The Adverse Effects
The prescription medications for IBS cure only focus on alleviating the IBS symptoms and not the condition itself. Moreover, they are not effective in their actions. Thus, people need to consume higher doses of those drugs, leading to serious side effects. For instance, the drugs meant to stop diarrhea can make patients constipated.
In severe cases, constipation can completely stop the function of the intestines and other vital digestive organs. On the other hand, the medicines for alleviating constipation can often cause diarrhea. This leads to loss of various critical bodily fluids and dehydration.
They can also lead to shortness of breath, mental health issues, heart attacks and strokes.
Probiotics for IBS
The gut has both good and bad bacteria. During an illness/disorder/infection, the harmful bacteria increase in number and cause an imbalance in the body. We hence need good bacteria to eliminate the extra bad ones and restore gut balance. Probiotics consist of these good bacteria and/or yeast living naturally in the gut.
Consuming them through different foods or supplements helps alleviate common digestive disorders, including IBS. Some food sources of probiotics include
- Fermented foods (yogurt, pickle, cheeses, kefir, sauerkraut),
- Buttermilk,
- Sourdough bread,
- Tempeh,
- Cottage cheese, and
- Kimchi.
Besides them, certain prescribed probiotic supplements come from foods, drinks, liquids, powders, and capsules/pills.
Benefits of Probiotics
They help improve overall IBS symptoms by altering the gut bacteria. As a result, they-
- Reduce the production of harmful bacteria,
- Enhance immune function,
- Decrease inflammation and gas production,
- Reduce gut sensitivity to such health conditions,
- Restore gut balance,
- Fight infections, and
- Improve digestion and nutrient absorption.
The Side Effects
Since probiotics are dietary supplements, they do not need to be approved by the US FDA (Federal Drug Administration). Thus, manufacturers simply sell them with their claims of efficacy and safety, with no complete surety. Medical researchers, too, are unsure about the effectiveness of these supplements.
People who have recently had surgery or are going through an illness have a huge risk of infection from external probiotic consumption.
Because many people cannot tolerate probiotic consumption. Most people with IBS have intolerances as their digestive systems become sensitive to different foods. Therefore, the milk, sugar, lactose, and yeast in the supplements can cause adverse effects for them.
They suffer side effects like gas, bloating, bowel movement issues, and abdominal pain. Furthermore, the gut contains its own mixture of different bacteria species. Consuming a different species of bacteria externally causes an imbalance in the mix and worsens the IBS symptoms.
When the proteins in foods age or gut bacteria ferment them, they turn into amines. Foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi naturally contain such amines. When consumed, they can affect the nervous system, increase or decrease blood flow, and even trigger headaches among IBS patients.
The immune system also produces a substance called histamine when it senses a danger to the body. Some bacteria in probiotic supplements cause histamine levels to rise in the digestive system. This causes redness, swelling, allergies, breathing troubles, etc.
Moreover, many probiotic supplements contain prebiotics that causes various digestive issues. Because they are plant fibers that humans cannot digest.
The Ayurvedic Approach
The initial Ayurvedic treatment for IBS is done through certain dietary and lifestyle changes. Ayurvedic doctors recommend the following for IBS cure.
- Increase dietary fiber by consuming more fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, etc.
- Avoid gluten-rich foods (processed foods, cereals, grains, pasta, bread, etc.)
- Avoid caffeine (coffee, chocolate, teas, sodas, etc.)
- Drink sufficient water
- Limit fermented foods to avoid intolerance symptoms
- Exercise regularly
- Eat smaller meals
- Get sufficient sleep
Vijaya for IBS
Besides these recommendations, Ayurvedic doctors and modern medical experts are increasingly prescribing Vijaya, an important Ayurvedic herb known for its immense therapeutic benefits. It provides a holistic approach to alleviating IBS and IBS symptoms.
The body has numerous cannabinoid receptors spread throughout the body. They are of CB1 and CB2 types. The former is dominant in the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord), while the latter is more concentrated in the gut and the immune cells. These receptors are a part of the body’s endocannabinoid system, or the ECS.
When patients consume Vijaya, it activates the CB2 receptors in the gut. This way, it directly influences the body’s digestive system and enhances gut function. It strengthens the intestines and balances the movement of food through it, so it neither leaves the gut too quick nor too slow.
Consequently, the food gets digested properly, and the nutrients are optimally broken down. This is how Vijaya effectively eases IBS symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, etc. Besides that, the herb activates the body’s ECS and enhances its function.
The ECS plays a vital role in maintaining gut balance (homeostasis) and regulating overall gut health. When the ECS’s receptors are activated, they influence the gut bacteria and balance the good and bad ones.
Often, due to an illness or genetic conditions, the ECS is unable to produce the necessary endocannabinoids to function properly. It leads to clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CED) and severely affects the gut, causing conditions like IBS.
Consuming Vijaya provides the body with the necessary supply of cannabinoids to enhance its function and allow it to regulate gut health.
Other Health Benefits For IBS Patients
A Canadian study showed that consuming Vijaya improved abdominal pain in over 84%, abdominal cramping in over 77%, and diarrhea in over 29% of the patients. The patients also felt significant improvements in their stress levels and overall well-being.
This is because, in addition to influencing the CB2 receptors in the gut, Vijaya activates the CB1 receptors present in the central nervous system. It thus controls the pain-processing regions of the brain and prevents the communication of the pain signals between the brain and the gut.
It allows the herb to reduce abdominal pain significantly. The activated CB1 receptors also help reduce stress and anxiety, some of the prominent causes of IBS.
Another study has shown that the herb effectively reduces inflammation in the gut and regulates smooth and regular bowel movements among IBS patients.
Because Vijaya activates the CB2 receptors present in the immune cells to prevent them from releasing inflammatory cytokine and chemokine cells. It helps reduce painful inflammation among the patients.
Unlike traditional prescription drugs, patients can tolerate Vijaya well. Its derived Ayurvedic medicines are made of natural ingredients, making them safe for consumption.
Though consuming them without proper consultation and dosage leads to mild side effects like drowsiness, headaches, fatigue, dry mouth, temporary loss of appetite, etc. These symptoms easily fade over time. To know more about Vijaya and how it can help you alleviate IBS, contact Hempstreet and get the right consultation for yourself.
References
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/14598-probiotics
https://bellalindemann.com/blog/side-effects-of-probiotics
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/probiotics-side-effects#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4342-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/treatment
https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/medications-for-ibs
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327421#therapies
https://www.veriheal.com/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/
