An experimental study to ascertain the effectiveness of homoeopathic medicines in the management of irritable bowel syndrome

It is said that all the disease begins in gut. Disturbed gut is responsible for development of

different diseases and it can also affect the person’s day to day life. Out of all the

gastrointestinal disorders Irritable Bowel Syndrome is one of the most common functional

disorder. Global burden of disease, studies have shown that IBS affects people world wide.It

is estimated that 1 out of 10 people from world suffers from IBS.[1]

Burden of IBS varies from 7%-24% across the globe, in south east Asia and middle east

countries it is about 7%.[1] Prevalence of IBS in Asian countries is rising which shows that,

cases of IBS varies between 4.2%-7.5% in India.[2] Prevalence of IBS is common in both

sexes but females are at higher risk. IBS is significantly lower in >50 years of age as

compared to <50 years.

IBS significantly affects the individual and their quality of life. Notably it has been found

that developing countries adopting westernized diet, lifestyle and behavior that might

associated with increased risk of developing IBS. Psychological factors like stress, anxiety,

depression may frequently present with IBS and it exacerbate the condition.

IBS has varied presentation, so the management focus towards the amelioration of the

symptoms. At present, the drugs available for the treatment have only a modest effect on the

symptoms improvement.

Homoeopathy being wholestic mode of treatment, it does not focus only on the diseased

part, but it consider the person as a whole including mind and body. It believes that signs

and symptoms are the outward reflection of internal derangment of vital force. Totality is

formed by combing all these individulized symptoms and signs, then medicine is prescribed

which helps to streghten the deranged vital force. In this way it can help in relieving pain

and decreasing frequency of IBS