Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-Homeopathic medicine

Nature of the condition
 IBS is a very common condition, affecting as many as 20 per cent of the population,
 with more females suffering than males.
 It is concentrated in the 20 to 40 year age group, but can occur at all ages.

It is a cluster of symptoms, (see below) rather than a pathological disease,
 and is assumed to be due to disordered bowel motility, or possibly increased sensitivity to gut sensation, which in turn may be due to a variety of factors. These may include stress, food intolerance or the after-effects of a tummy bug. Sometimes the condition seems to be a consequence of simple constipation, or a sudden change in diet.

The bowel may also react to emotional states,
 such as anger or anxiety. Such “gut reactions”
 appear to be especially likely in those who find it difficult to share their feelings with others,
 expressing mental distress through physical symptoms.

Food sensitivities or intolerances can cause IBS symptoms
 (as opposed to true food allergy which occurs rapidly after ingesting very small quantities of the food concerned, for example peanuts or shellfish). Abnormal fermentation in the colon, following antibiotic usage and candidal colonisation of the bowel,can also cause IBS symptoms.

Different types of IBS -IBS is classified according to which symptoms are the most frequent. Several classifications exist;the following one is used at the Central Middlesex Hospital.

Extra-bowel manifestations:
IBS sufferers often have other symptoms including lethargy, backache, urinary symptoms
(“irritable bladder”), pelvic pain and migraine.

Symptoms of irritable bowel disease

   - Abdominal pain associated with defecation.
   - Irregular pattern of defecation for at least two days a week.
    -Three or more of the following:

   – altered stool frequency;
   – altered stool form (hard/loose);
   – altered stool passage (straining/urgency/ sense of incomplete evacuation);
   – mucus per rectum;
   – bloating or feeling of abdominal distension.

Warning symptoms that need investigation:

    Change in bowel habit.
    Passing blood per rectum.
    Weight loss.
    Constant abdominal pain.


used Homeopathic  medicine in the treatment of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) :

1 nux vomica 30 2 drops 2 times a day
2 podophyllum 30 2 drops 2 times a day
3 hydrastis mother tincture 20 drops 3 times a day with half cup of water
4 R 5 10 drops three times a day with some water


 anther Commonly used medicine in the treatment of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are:
 Sulphur 200,
 Lycopodium 200,                                             
 Nux Vomica 200,
 Argentum Nitricum 200,
 Pulsatilla 30,
 Colocynthis 30,
 Podophyllum 30
 and Aloe 200 .

The following cases show how IBS can be treated with different homeopathic medicines:
The following cases show how IBS can be treated with different homeopathic medicines according to the underlying problems.

Take John, for instance. He was a 40 year-old engineer, happily married with one daughter. However,
 his life was plagued by frequent attacks of abdominal pain, with distension, wind and constipation.
 He also suffered from heartburn, which woke him in the night.It all seemed to start after several courses of antibiotics given
 for severe pneumonia.He was now unable to eat bread (something he loved) or fruit or curries or fatty food.
 His own GP had investigated him thoroughly and ascertained that there was “nothing wrong” other than IBS.
 He was treating him with the usual anti­spasmodics and antacids, which helped each attack,
 but did nothing to prevent a recurrence.John was very upset that his GP appeared to be dismissive of him,
 and did not listen to him.He was quite emotional while I was taking his history,
 and also told me with tears in his eyes about the death of his father. Because of this,
 and because of his food intolerances, I gave him Pulsatilla 30c, and he was incredulous of the improvement.
 His heartburn stopped completely, but he still had occasional attacks of left-sided abdominal pain,
 causing him to bend double, and which were relieved with a hot water bottle. He was still quite angry with his GP,
 so this time I gave him Colocynth 30c, 
 which resolved the problem.