Inflammatory Bowel Disease

All treatments in Ayurveda are prescribed only after a careful diagnosis of the patient's body constitution, family history, sex, age, stage of the disease etc. This will enable the patient to receive treatments that are specifically suited to his very needs. Ayurveda treatments will therefore vary from patient to patient.

The first consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, including the diagnosis will last for more than an hour. The basic step in the diagnosis will be to find the person's body humor (Dosha) - Vata, Pita or Kapha, because it is the imbalance of these body humors that creates this Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

The dominance of dosha in a person is found by asking several questions on his behavior, food habits, sleeping patterns, personal details like age, height & weight, place of life, profession, health problems and medical reports etc. Ayurveda diagnosis comprises of clinical and laboratory tests also. The doctor can decide if an ayurveda treatment is helpful on providing these details.

Pulse, tongue, nail, and eye examinations are important diagnosis methods used to reveal a person's body humor and its imbalance. This will help the doctor in treating the disease.

Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda is not just counting the beats. It also reveals the health status of the entire body constitution, including the dosha imbalance and the health of the various body organs.

In tongue diagnosis, the doctor checks the general appearance, colour and the coating of the tongue. In Ayurveda, as different areas of the tongue correspond to different organs of the body, the Ayurvedic practitioner can determine which organs of the body are out of balance by having a detailed tongue examination.

Nail examination is done to check the type, colour and shape of the person's nail. Imbalances of doshas are easily detected on close examination.

In the eye diagnosis, the colour, size and even the shape of the eyes are important in determining the dosha dominance of a person. His mental status,nervousness, anxiety, confidence level etc can also be learned through eye diagnosis.

After the diagnosis, the doctor sets out to treat the patient in a very systematic manner. This would include a set of appropriate Panchakarma treatments and Rasayana therapies. These treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.

They are, however, classified as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal purification methods, diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines etc.

The treatments suggested here are for general guidance only. It may vary according to the decision of the doctor for each person.

Pre-purification Therapies
Pre-purification therapies are the first ones applied to loosen the toxins, open up the circulation channels and get the body ready for discarding these wastes. These methods are highly relaxing for the body and mind.

The following pre-purification method is usually adopted in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Snehapanam is oleation therapy and consists of oral intake of medicated ghee in empty stomach. Common ingredients such as malabar nut, wild snake gourd, sweet flag, sandal wood, neem, amaltas, asparagus, ginger, mustard, gooseberry etc. are used.

Main Purification Therapies Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

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This is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre purification treatment stage. These therapies are highly potential methods and are usually overseen by doctors. The commonly adopted Panchakarma treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is Vasthi and virechanam.

Vasthi means medicated enema. It washes out all the toxins that were brought into the digestive tract as a result of Snehapanam done in the pre purification phase. Since medicines reach the bowels directly without enzymatic actions, its effectiveness is very high. Herbs and other ingredients used for Vasthi aredillseed, castor plant, bael, honey, rock salt, oils etc.

Virechanamis the purgation using oral intake of safe herbal medicines. This eliminates poisonous wastes through the anal route. Generally, the herbs used are turpith,embellia fruits,cardamom, long pepper,cinnamon etc.

These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind after the Panchakarma treatments. They keep the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition, restore and balance the body functions and maintain the overall health and well being of an individual for much longer periods after the Panchakarma course. Rasayana treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) consist of oral medicines and diet regulation.

Oral medicines for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

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Herbal medicines form an important part of any ayurvedic treatment. Oral medicines for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) will be extracts of pure medicinal herbs, leaves, spices etc. These are prepared specifically to restore the lost balance and to provide the needed inputs to cure Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Kashayam and Arishtam - herbal decoctions and fermentations Lehyams - semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed.

Neem, ginger, amaltas, nutmeg, liquorices, gooseberry, bael etc are some of the medicinal herbs used in the preparation of kashayams, lehyams and arishtams.

Panchamrita Parpati should be given orally in an increasing dosage schedule along with madhu( honey) and jeera(cumin seeds). The initial dosge is 125 mg of parpati for three days. Though this dosage will be increased initially, the dosage will ultimately be stopped with the decrease in the disease.

The type and quantity of the medicines to be taken are decided by the doctor after a detailed consultation and examination. The patient's body type, age etc are also important factors to be considered.

Diet regulation will be suggested for patients suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Proper diet is a brilliant means of controlling and curing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Ayurveda diet provides adequate nutrition as well as rest for the needed organs.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients are advised to stick to a pure, natural and wholesome diet, low in fat and cholesterol. They should consume curd, butter milk, cottage cheese, soya milk, banana, papaya, water melon etc. Patients are advised to reduce their intake of salt in their meals. They are also advised to avoid consumption of fish meat, eggs, cabbage, alcohol etc. The intestine should be cleansed thoroughly and one should also drink lots of water. They should consume boiled rice, roasted bread and other eatables made out of wheat flour and corn flour. You can find out your type of Prakruthi and decide a diet for yourself Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Yoga and Life Style for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

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Yoga and Meditation are proven and effective way to develop and maintain perfect harmony and balance in our body systems. It provides us with immunity against all diseases. It alters brain wave activities reflecting in increased relaxation and a better focused mind. Bhujangasana, mayurasana, shalabasana, paschimottanasana and matsyendrasana are suggested in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Each of these asanas is done two to three times and maintained for duration of 20- 30 seconds.

Life style: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients are advised to take at least one or two weeks of rest after the Panchakarma experience. At this time the body is weak after a purification process and needs time to get back to normalcy. They should avoid over indulgence in all matters as these were the causes for the vitiation of pita dosha. They should also avoid strenuous exercise, late nights, too much television, and other stimulating experiences.