Digestive Disorders Treatment in Ayurveda

Overview

Common digestive issues are Bloating and Abdomen Distension, Gastritis, GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease), IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), and Constipation.

• Bloating and Abdomen Distension: A feeling of fullness or painful pressure in stomach. Poor digestion, low metabolism, heavy fatty diet causes bloating and gaseous distension of stomach.
• Gastritis: Is the inflammation of lining inside the stomach. It is very common, can be caused by food infection, stress, certain medicines, alcohol etc. Stomach bloating, pain, nausea are the symptoms. Left untreated can lead to peptic ulcer.
• GERD: Stomach acid reflux upwards the esophagus causing heart burn, regurgitation, sour taste in mouth and chest pain. Weakness of lower esophageal sphincter, Hiatus Hernia, Obesity, Pregnancy, Fatty and spicy food etc. can be the cause.
• IBS: Is a chronic functional gastrointestinal condition presented as nonspecific bowel movements (constipation or loose motion), abdominal pain and bloating.
• Constipation: If stools are passed less than three times per week or dry hard stools which is difficult to pass, this condition is called Constipation. Food habits and water intake are the main factors causing constipation.

Digestive Issues in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda Digestive System is very important, as Jataragni is a part of digestive system and production of ama also starts from the digestive tract. Dosa vitiation in digestive system not only shows digestive issues they are manifested as other systemic illness too like fever, skin issues, joint issues, head ache etc.

Based the properties of Vatha, Pitha and Kapha, agni can be:

• Thikshnagni (high digestive fire): Pitha is more, digestion and metabolism will be fast may have acidity, heart burn, and gastritis.
• Mandagni (low digestive fire): Kapha is more. Digestion, appetite and metabolism will be slow may have heaviness or bloating.
• Vishamagni (constantly changing): Vatha is more. Shows mixed effects.

So depending upon one’s agni, their food habits and treatments are also varied. Their personalities or character also affected by agni.

Common Conditions Mentioned in Ayurveda

• Amlapitham: Avipaka (indigestion), ThikthaAmlolgara (Bitter-Sour belching), HritKanda Daha (Heart and throat burn). Correlated to GERD.
• Grahani: Irregular motion of digested or undigested food, with or without ama. Due to eating food which is hard to digest. Can be correlated to IBS.
• Anaham: Abdominal distension due to vatha.
• Gulmam: Due to irregular food habit, eating more vatha causing food and activities, holding or forcefully doing natural urges like vomiting, bowel motion or flatulence. Eating heavy food after loose motion or vomiting etc, Vatha got vitiated along with other doshas and it is obstructed in the bowel. Can be correlated to just abdominal distension to tumors or anything causing bowel obstruction.

Herbal House Ayurveda Treatments for Digestive Issues

Mainly focused on Agni correction. After detailed history taking doctor will prescribe medicines according to conditions and will give dietary and lifestyle advice.

Gandharvahasthadi Kashaym, Amrthotharam Kashyam, Vaiswanara churnam, Dadimashtakam churnam etc. are commonly prescribed for digestive problems.

Along with that Virechanam for pitha elimination, Vasthy for vatha correction are also done.