keywords : homeoapthy for IBS, homeopathy for stress, diarrhoea, constipation, leaky gut, gut health, irritable bowel syndrome
Stress has a significant connection with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal disorder marked by symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation, or both).
Stress and IBS are related in several ways:
#1 - Gut-Brain Axis Connection
The gut-brain axis is the network linking the central nervous system (brain) and the enteric nervous system (gut). Stress can disrupt this connection, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms. For people with IBS, the brain tends to overreact to signals from the gut, amplifying symptoms like pain, discomfort, and irregular bowel movements.
#2 - Effect of Stress on Digestive Function
Stress triggers the "fight or flight" response, which can slow down digestion, cause intestinal spasms, or increase gut sensitivity. This leads to symptoms commonly seen in IBS, such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, and bloating.
#3 - Psychological Stress and IBS
Individuals with IBS often report that stress worsens their symptoms. Emotional stressors like anxiety, depression, or daily life challenges can trigger or exacerbate IBS flare-ups. Chronic stress can make IBS harder to manage and increase the frequency or severity of symptoms.
#4 - Impact of IBS on Stress Levels
IBS itself can create a vicious cycle. Coping with frequent digestive issues can increase stress, leading to a cycle of stress aggravating IBS and IBS worsening stress, which can significantly affect one's quality of life, contributing to anxiety and depression.
#5 - Homeopathy for Stress in IBS
Effective strategies for controlling IBS symptoms include mindfulness and relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), physical activity, dietary adjustments, etc. These approaches can help manage stress, improve digestive health, and enhance mental well-being.
Moreover, homeopathy is available to help manage stress. Here are some examples.
Asafoetida
Hysteria, especially if combined with intestinal problems.
Maybe unable to tell whether the symptoms are anxiety or gut disturbance.
The sensation of a bubble or lump rising from the stomach into the throat.
The abdomen may become filled with gas and greatly distended, without any flatus being passed, despite frequent eructation.
A feeling of constriction in the throat or chest.
Other symptoms may include flatulence, regurgitation of liquids in the stomach, constipation, and extremely offensive diarrhoea with bloating
Phosphorus
Oversensitive to external impressions, noise, odours and lights. Easily excitable and sympathetic. Feels anxious, restless, and fidgety, and can't sit still for a moment, better while standing. Gets frightened easily.
The abdomen is distended and painful to touch, so the person rubs their abdomen for relief. Feels sharp cutting pain.
A very weak, empty, gone sensation is felt in the whole abdominal cavity.
Colocynthis
Anger with indignation. Extremely irritable. Ailments after anger, with silent grief.
Agonising cutting pain causes the patient to bend over double.
Abdominal pain ameliorated by pressure by lying face downward.
Nux Vomica
Irritable, impatient, ambitious, and driven patients who are easily offended. Anger from contradiction. Inpatient - hates waiting in line or traffic. Workaholic. Compulsive. Cannot bear noises, odours, lights, touch and music.
They experience stomach pains that worsen with anger, tight clothes, and after eating, but feel better with warmth, warm applications, or warm drinks.
Constipation with constant, ineffectual urging for a stool.
Diarrhoea alternating with constipation, constant urging for stool but passes small amounts. Diarrhoea, worse cold and alcohol.
Chamomilla
Irritable, fussy, whining and moaning. Discontented, dissatisfied and demanding.
Extremely sensitive to every type of pain, always complaining.
Sensitive to music and noise. Aversion to being touched.
Distended abdomen. Stools like cut grass green or spinach in colour.
Abdominal pain worsened by touch and coffee. Cutting pain.
Pain from side to side or going upward after anger.
Ignatia
Suppressed or deep grief with long-drawn sighs. Sobs in long-drawn-out sighs. Sadness and sighing with an empty feeling in the pit of the stomach. Oversensitive and nervous. Highly emotional and moody. Oversensitive to pain.
Abdominal pain worsens with brandy, coffee, and sweet things. Flatulence colic, especially at night. Extreme flatulence with hysteria. Fullness and distention cause the inability to breathe.
Cina
Hard to please. Irritability of temper. Aversion to being touched.
Twisting pain about the navel, relieved by pressure. Pressing outward in the belly. Pain on pressing upon navel.
Cramping and diarrhoea.
wants to lie in the knee-chest position. feels better with pressure.
Itching of anus.
Arg Nit
Anticipation, apprehension and fear before visiting the doctor or dentist. Performance anxiety. Fear of heights, flying in airplanes and having panic attacks. Impulsiveness, rushing to do things. Feeling anxious when alone, but feeling better in the company of others.
Experiencing bloating and a swollen abdomen due to flatulence. Having diarrhoea triggered by emotions, anticipation, and consumption of sugary candy.
Lycopodium
Low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
Bullying, domineering and arrogant behaviour towards family members and those with less authority, while being overly submissive to superiors.
Ailments from domineering parents or siblings.
Anxiety about health, conflicts and career-related stress. Fears of failure, public speaking, stage fright.
Craving for sweets and food allergies.
A bloated and distended abdomen, which is relieved by burping and passing gas, and worsened by eating even small amounts of food. The issue may be right-sided or may transition from the right side to the left.
Remedies such as Arsenicum album, Aconite, Ambra Grisea, and Gelsemium can alleviate excessive worry or anxiety, too.
For more details about anxiety remedies, please visit a blog about "Homeopathy for anxiety and worry"
#6 Conclusions …
Stress management is crucial for improving both mental well-being and digestive health when dealing with IBS, and a combination of lifestyle changes, psychological therapies, and dietary modifications often yields the best results.
However, if your symptoms persist or keep returning, leading to a relapse, please consider a full consultation that can resolve the problems from the root cause.
If you need more information, you can chat with us for a 15-minute free consultation.
The secret is:
Ensuring a healthy gut is crucial for enhancing both digestive well-being and mental health, supporting immune function, and overall physical well-being. A well-rounded diet containing fiber, fermented foods, sufficient hydration, stress management, and probiotics can significantly contribute to gut health. The gut is often referred to as the "internal skin," so it should be cared for with the same attention as you would your skin.
I hope this blog can deliver hope and courage to as many people as possible who suffer from IBS.
With Love and gratitude
Hiroko
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Reference :
Murphy. R.(2006) Nature's Materia Medica. Third edition. Lotus Health Institute. Virginia. USA
Morrison. R. (1993) Desktop Guide To Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms. Hahnemann Clinic Publishing. California. USA.
Gamble.J (2006) Mastering Homeopathy 2 - the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Karuna Publishing. Wollongong. Australia.
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