IBD term given to a group of different conditions, most widely Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis sufferers are major among the group. According to the conventional system there is no known cause for this condition. (ABC 2012) In Australia almost 60,000 people are suffering from above both conditions with almost no solution left other than using some corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs. It affects both the males and females equally, and tends to develop most commonly between the ages of 15 to 30.
Ayurvedic View
In Ayurveda this condition is denoted as “Grahani”. Grahani is the term given to Duodenum structurally and functionally given to entire intestine. The most import function is to digest and absorb the food.
Term Grahani is widely used in the Ayurvedic literature, with the three different types, goes according with the Ayurvedic constitutions of VATA, PITTA and KAPHA. It can also be the combinations of them or it can be caused by the “tridhoshas” (Sannipathaja).
Most of the symptoms according to Ayurvedic Grahani are increased frequency of loose motions with lots of mucus, pain and bad odour, bloating, twisting feeling, if it is aggravated with Pitta, the symptoms may associated with bleeding which is quite common in Ulcerative colitis.
Grahani is a syndrome in which AGNI, the digestive power is presumed to be the culprit. In which the Agni is suppressed, which inturns aggravate the AMA (Toxins)( Undigested or left over waste material in Gastro intestinal tract), which accumulated will pass along with the stools. So even the line of treatment should also focus on the improving the individual AGNI.
Conclusion
Ayurveda explains the Nidana (causative factors) and Samprapti ( pathophysiology)of the most of the conditions comes under IBD ( Grahani) with significant treatment methods which may be helpful in balancing the AGNI and other symptoms related. Ayurvedic Diet and lifestyle recommendations along with Ayurvedic Treatments can have combined positive impact on the GIT to get the symptoms under control. You may also combine the both conventional medicine with few ayurvedic herbs along with diet and lifestyle modification to get the better health out come.
