Homeopathy Offers A Proven Treatment For IBS Associated With Anticipatory Anxiety

A 56-years-old ex-banker (PIN: 35606) visited Life Force Homeopathy, Santacruz clinic on 8th February 2018 to get treated for her Irritable Bowel Syndrome complaints (IBS). She was diagnosed as a case of IBS in 2012. Her episodes would start with nausea. She had altered stool pattern. Sometimes she would experience constipation for 2 days followed by the semi-solid stools or, at times, offensive diarrhea for 5-6 times/day with the sensation of incomplete evacuation with pain in the umbilical region and cramps. 

Sometimes, she would suffer from projectile vomiting. Her appetite was reduced. Having easy satiety, small meals would make her feel full. She was on Ayurvedic treatment for about 7-8 years. The colonoscopy report revealed a normal study. The spicy food, wheat, lentils, green vegetables, milk products, and outside foods would make her condition worse. Her diarrhea would flare-up during the panic attacks and whenever she would get stressed. Her IBS was more related to her emotional states.

Besides IBS, she was not suffering from any other major illness. In the past, she had suffered from Pyrexia of unknown origin and was hospitalized for the same. Her cousin & maternal uncle were suffering from IBS. Her mother had complaints of Rheumatoid arthritis.

Her appetite was reduced due to IBS complaints, and she loved eating fish and spicy food. She was lean and thin by stature. She had attained menopause before 10 years. Her sleep was disturbed, and she would get up frequently and had clairvoyant dreams. She would get dreams of people who will die in the near future.

Mrs. N.A was a highly anxious lady. She would have episodes of diarrhea before appearing for exams in childhood. She had anticipatory anxiety before traveling, and she had anxiety about health. She was a mild, sensitive, and emotional lady and would take the things to heart easily and weep easily. She was submissive by nature and was dependent on her husband for small things.

Dr. Shah studied the case and prescribed Sulphur-30 along with his research-based medicines.

When she gave her first feedback on 30th March 2018, her relief from the complaints was better by 10%-15%. The first positive change noticed in her case was her appetite was improved, and she was feeling better mentally too. There was a marked improvement in the relief from the passage of offensive stool, but rest of the complaints were the same as before.

On 19th June 2018, the patient reported that she is better by 30%, and her pattern of passing the stools had improved. She was no more suffering from constipation. Her recovery from nausea and vomiting was better. But still, she was experiencing pain in the abdomen, cramps, and unsatisfactory feeling after passing the stool. Dr. Shah re-evaluated the case and prescribed the revised medicines to the patient.

In the subsequent follow-ups, she continued to improve gradually. 

On 29th Oct 2018, she reported she is better by 85%. She was no more suffering from constipation or diarrhea, and her bowel habits were regularized. Her recovery from the associated symptoms, such as pain in abdomen, cramps, and vomiting, was better. She would eat outside food now that she avoided earlier due to her IBS complaints. Also, at the mind level, she showed clear noticeable changes. Her anxiety levels had reduced, and her fear of traveling alone had reduced. She was no more dependent on her husband, and, now, she would manage her daily chores herself.

Conclusion:
This case illustrates that the bowel may also react to emotional states, such as fear and anxiety, and such gut reactions appear to be more specific in those people who find it difficult to express their feelings. The above case highlights that Homeopathy is highly effective in treating cases of IBS. Homeopathy not only treats the physical symptoms but also treats a patient as a whole and gives a great relief at a mental & emotional level too by treating the condition at the root level.

Written by Dr. Mithila K, Associate doctor to Dr. Rajesh Shah