Digestive Problems Ayurvedic Treatment

Any discomfort associated with the digestion and related organs (like mouth, salivary gland, esophagus, pancreas, stomach, liver, spleen, intestine) are considered as digestive problems. They include irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea, gastric esophageal reflux disease, gas trouble etc. The common causes of discomforts are improper diet, certain medication, changes in lifestyle and climate etc.

Digestive Problems Signs and Symptoms

There are some common signs and symptoms of the digestive problems- like heartburn, excess salivation or dry mouth, tastelessness, loss of appetite, regurgitation of acidic fluid into mouth, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, weight loss etc.

Digestive Problems Ayurvedic Analysis

The symptoms like amlaka (regurgitation of acidic fluid into mouth), aruchi (loss of taste/ appetite), chardi (vomiting), tikta asyata (bad taste in mouth), shoola (abdominal pain), malasanga (constipation), atisara (diarrhoea), anaha/ adhmana (bloating) etc results from agnimandya (reduced digestive fire) and ama (indigestion) as per Ayurveda. Here, samana vayu (vata that controls digestion), apana vayu (vata which is responsible for assimilation and evacuation), pachaka pitta (pitta that enables digestion of food) and kledaka kapha (the type of kapha involved in digestion and assimilation) are vitiated.

Digestive Problems Causative Factors (Ayurveda)

The common causative factors are intake of asatmya ahara (unaccustomed food), viruddha ahara (incompatible diet), ashuchi bhojana (unhygienic food), atyahara (excess food intake), adhyashana (consumption of food without proper interval), divaswapna (day sleep), aswapna (keeping awake at night), excess intake of spicy/ very hot or cold food/ alcohol, stress, reduced or excess intake of water or some diseases (eg: jwara/ fever, arshas/ haemorrhoids, grahani/ IBS etc).

Possible Complications of Digestive Problems Disease

If left untreated, this condition may lead to serious health issues like ulcerative colitis, IBS, Chron’s disease, cancer, intestinal perforations, reduced quality of life etc.

Other systemic diseases and precautions to be taken

Consider other health issues like infections, malnutrition, liver diseases, cancer etc before planning treatment.

Digestive Problems Disease Management with Ayurveda Treatment

The management of this condition is based on the cause and state of dosha. All the efforts are focused on correcting agni and remove ama, and thereby bringing back the dosha to their normal state. Internal medicines are provided depending on the symptoms, along with mild virechana (purgation), nasya (nasal instillation of medicine), vamana (emetic therapy), vasthi (enema with suitable medicine), gandusha (gargling with medicines) etc. For relieving stress, yoga, meditation, pranayama and psychotherapy can be provided.

Diet

Include more whole grains, green vegetables, pulses, milk and fruits in diet. Reduce the consumption of spicy and hot food, very oily and heavy to digest food items, tea/ coffee/ alcohol/ carbonated drink.

Exercise

Mild to moderate exercise is effective to correct agni. Avoid bending exercises during phases of acid reflux, nausea etc.

Digestive Problems Preventive Aspects in Ayurveda

Take healthy nutritious diet. Reduce the consumption of very spicy, hot, oily and heavy to digest food. Exercise regularly. Ensure adequate sleep. Avoid stress. Follow a regular bowel habit. Avoid over-eating or having unfamiliar food during travelling. Clean the hands before taking food. Quit smoking and limit the intake of alcohol.

Importance of Diet

Choosing the right food is essential to avoid digestive complaints especially during travel. Avoid those food that trigger the symptoms. Follow a diet pattern based on prakrti (body constitution).

Lifestyle

Take more semi-solid/ liquid diet. Avoid over-eating, late night dinner, skipping of meals, alcohol, tea, coffee, spicy food, hot food etc. Drink enough water. Avoid exercise during acid reflux. Ensure adequate sleep. Take food in small quantity at frequent interval. Take more fibrous diet, fruits, juices, buttermilk etc.