Ayurveda for Gut Health
Acid relux
Constipation
IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome)
Acid reflux
Reflux is when stomach acids flow back up into the oesophagus, causing reflux. This can irritate the lining of your oesophagus.
Causes
- Eating before bed time
- Lying down immediately after taking food
- Excessive intake of caffeine, tea and alcohol
- Excessive intake of spicy, fatty, acidic, salty and irritant foods
- Irregular eating habits
- Negative emotions
- Being overweight or obese
Ayurveda’s perspective
According to Ayurveda acid reflux is triggered by excessive acid production and is a result of aggravation or imbalance in the pitta dosha. Pitta dosha can increase and cause a burning sensation.
Visit our Ayurveda physician if you are experiencing the following signs and symptoms.
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chest pain
- Burning sensation in your chest, usually after eating
- Disrupted sleep
- Chronic coughing
- Nausea after eating
- Headaches
Ayurveda recognises that we are not the same. We are all unique and therefore need something different. Two people can present with the same problem, however, the treatment may be different for both. Ayurveda focuses on eliminating the root cause of all problems.
Treatments may include
- Herbs
- Change in diet and lifestyle
- Yoga and pranayama
- Detoxification treatments
Constipation
Constipation is a condition in which you may have infrequent, incomplete bowel movements or consist of hard, dry stools that are difficult and painful to pass. Constipation is common among all ages and populations.
Causes
- Overeating
- Irregular eating habit
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Liver disorders
- Travel
- Parasites
- Little or no physical exercise
- Stress and Anxiety
- Low water intake
- Some medications
Ayurveda’s perspective
According to Ayurveda, constipation occurs when vata’s cold and dry qualities disturb the colon, inhibiting its proper functioning. The remedy is to add warmth, oil, and hydration to the system in order to counter the excess vata.
Visit our Ayurveda physician if you are experiencing the following signs and symptoms.
- Difficulties in passing a bowel movement
- Bleeding from the rectum
- The stools are dry, hard, and pellet-like
- Being unable to have a bowel movement
- A sense that a bowel movement was incomplete
- Hemorrhoids
- A feeling of being bloated and blocked up
- Parasites
- Excessive flatulence
- Aching feeling in the back
- Fatigue
Ayurveda recognises that we are not the same. We are all unique and therefore need something different. Two people can present with the same problem, however, the treatment may be different for both. Ayurveda focuses on eliminating the root cause of all problems.
Treatments may include
- Diet and regimen to support elimination
- Internal herbal medication
- Oil or herbal enemas
- Oil massage
- Yoga asanas and Pranayama
IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can present with abdominal pain, alternating constipation and diarrhoea or with bloating. There is no specific cause in modern science but in Ayurveda improper qualities of diet causes similar disease called Grahani. The factors such as emotional stress, infection and some foods can worsen the condition. Almost one in five Australians experience IBS at some time in their life. Women are more prone to IBS than men as their stress levels are comparatively higher. The symptoms of IBS tend to first occur in early adulthood.
Causes
- Changes of routine
- Emotional stress
- Suppression of urges
- Skipping or eating cold oily food
- Neurotransmitter serotonin dysfunction.
According to Ayurveda, the main cause of Grahani is Manda agni (low digestive fire). The digestive fire may be vitiated due to incompatible diet and lifestyle. This causes acidity in the stomach, stomachache and dryness of mouth. If not treated properly the neurological coordination of digestion and bowel movement become imbalanced.
Ayurveda’s perspective
Ayurveda views stress as a disturbance of the nervous system, which is mainly regulated by Vata dosha. The Vata dosha qualities are cold, light, subtle and erratic and is easily disturbed by too much sensory stimulation, overeating and a heavy schedule of activities. The aggravated Vata dosha weakens the mental strength of a person making one vulnerable to stress and related disorders.
Visit our Ayurveda physician if you are experiencing the following signs and symptoms
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Intermittent diarrhoea and constipation
- The feeling of bowel urges soon after defecation
- Abdominal bloating
- Mucus present in the stools
Ayurveda recognises that we are not the same. We are all unique and therefore need something different. Two people can present with the same problem, however, the treatment may be different for both. Ayurveda focuses on eliminating the root cause of all problems.
Treatments may include
- Oil and sweating therapies
- Diet and lifestyle recommendations
- Correction of the digestive system with herbs/herbal infusions
- Herbal enema
- Medicated bolus massage
- Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation