Irritable Bowel Syndrome - When the Bowels Get Stressed
2013-02-06
Today I will talk about Irritable Bowel Syndrome or shortly IBS, a digestive problem which manifests through symptoms such as cramping, abdominal pain with sometimes frequent loose stools or diarrhea, sometimes also alternating with constipation.
IBS is described as a 'functional' illness. This means that the small and large intestines are functioning inappropriately, although there is no structural damage found through diagnostic testing. The cause of the illness is unknown, but there is a definite link between emotional triggers and the onset of symptoms.
The gastrointestinal tract of an IBS sufferer is hypersensitive to such stimuli as emotional stress, anxiety, depression, diet, alcohol, drugs and hormones. Treatment through conventional medicine can be a frustrating experience for both patients and doctors. Fortunately, traditional Korean medicine provides an effective, alternative approach to treatment of IBS because it views the body as an integrated whole, based on the “Theory of Internal Organs.”
The Korean medical definition of an internal organ is very different from the Western concept. In Western medicine, an organ is a material-anatomical structure. In Korean medicine, each internal organ is associated with a corresponding emotion, color and element, in addition to its anatomical structure.
Western medical treatment of IBS considers only the large and small intestines, but Korean medicine recognizes the potential roles of the spleen, liver, kidney, and large intestine in the common patterns of disharmony. These patterns include “spleen Qi deficiency”, “spleen distressed by dampness”, “liver Qi stagnation”, and “damp-heat in the large intestine.”
The spleen-pancreas is considered to be the key organ in regulating digestion. IBS patients with a pattern of spleen Qi deficiency, for instance, will suffer from fatigue and diarrhea, which worsens with physical overexertion. It is often accompanied by abdominal pain, which may be relieved by exerting pressure over the painful area. Patients may also experience gas, bloating and hemorrhoids.
The liver is the organ most affected by stress, aggravation and anger. Correspondingly, it is frequently implicated in modern illnesses, most commonly when its Qi becomes stagnant. The IBS patient with liver Qi stagnation may feel depressed or moody, and may have pellet shaped stools with distending pain, particularly in the area below the ribs. Patients might experience nausea, belching, or acid reflux. All symptoms can be triggered or aggravated by stress.
Damp-heat in the large intestine typically provokes abdominal pain and diarrhea that is accompanied by a sense of urgency. The diarrhea is commonly yellow and explosive, with a strong odor and burning sensation.
Treatment for the different syndrome patterns may include a combination of acupuncture, which regulates the energy flow in the meridians of the related organs, and herbal medicinal formulas. In Oriental herbalism, herbs are combined to specifically address a person's unique constitution and health situation.
Additionally, special forms of meditation, breathing techniques and Qi-Gong exercises may be advised. These help the individual to reestablish harmony within the body systems, and provide a strategy to cope with the emotional stress factors that are closely associated with this modern civilization disease.
IBS is described as a 'functional' illness. This means that the small and large intestines are functioning inappropriately, although there is no structural damage found through diagnostic testing. The cause of the illness is unknown, but there is a definite link between emotional triggers and the onset of symptoms.
The gastrointestinal tract of an IBS sufferer is hypersensitive to such stimuli as emotional stress, anxiety, depression, diet, alcohol, drugs and hormones. Treatment through conventional medicine can be a frustrating experience for both patients and doctors. Fortunately, traditional Korean medicine provides an effective, alternative approach to treatment of IBS because it views the body as an integrated whole, based on the “Theory of Internal Organs.”
The Korean medical definition of an internal organ is very different from the Western concept. In Western medicine, an organ is a material-anatomical structure. In Korean medicine, each internal organ is associated with a corresponding emotion, color and element, in addition to its anatomical structure.
Western medical treatment of IBS considers only the large and small intestines, but Korean medicine recognizes the potential roles of the spleen, liver, kidney, and large intestine in the common patterns of disharmony. These patterns include “spleen Qi deficiency”, “spleen distressed by dampness”, “liver Qi stagnation”, and “damp-heat in the large intestine.”
The spleen-pancreas is considered to be the key organ in regulating digestion. IBS patients with a pattern of spleen Qi deficiency, for instance, will suffer from fatigue and diarrhea, which worsens with physical overexertion. It is often accompanied by abdominal pain, which may be relieved by exerting pressure over the painful area. Patients may also experience gas, bloating and hemorrhoids.
The liver is the organ most affected by stress, aggravation and anger. Correspondingly, it is frequently implicated in modern illnesses, most commonly when its Qi becomes stagnant. The IBS patient with liver Qi stagnation may feel depressed or moody, and may have pellet shaped stools with distending pain, particularly in the area below the ribs. Patients might experience nausea, belching, or acid reflux. All symptoms can be triggered or aggravated by stress.
Damp-heat in the large intestine typically provokes abdominal pain and diarrhea that is accompanied by a sense of urgency. The diarrhea is commonly yellow and explosive, with a strong odor and burning sensation.
Treatment for the different syndrome patterns may include a combination of acupuncture, which regulates the energy flow in the meridians of the related organs, and herbal medicinal formulas. In Oriental herbalism, herbs are combined to specifically address a person's unique constitution and health situation.
Additionally, special forms of meditation, breathing techniques and Qi-Gong exercises may be advised. These help the individual to reestablish harmony within the body systems, and provide a strategy to cope with the emotional stress factors that are closely associated with this modern civilization disease.
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