Stomach Diseases & Treatments

The digestive system extends from mouth to the anus. It receives food, breaks it down to nutrients, absorbs nutrients into blood stream and eliminates undigested food from the body. It consists of mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus. Organs that help digestion but lie outside the digestive tract are pancreas, liver and gall bladder

Digestion includes mechanical processes such as chewing, churning and grinding food It also involves mixing of the food, the movement through the digestive tract, chemical breakdown of larger molecular to smaller molecules.

Digestion is defined as a process that involves physical and chemical break down of insoluble complex food materials into soluble simple food materials. During digestion carbohydrate is converted into glucose. Proteins are converted into Amino – acids. Lipids are converted into fatty acids and glycerol. Juice secreted in the mouth (Saliva), in the stomach (Gastric juice), pancreas (pancreatic juice) and succus entericus (intestinal juice,) aid digestion.

There is a powerful connection between the digestive system and brain. Hence psychological factors greatly influence contractions of the Intestine, secretion of digestive enzymes and other functions of digestive system. Even susceptibility to infection leading to digestive disorders is influenced by the brain.

The reverse, i.e. digestive system influencing brain, also happens. Eg – chronic irritable bowel syndrome and other painful diseases affect emotions, behavior and daily functions.

This two way association is called the brain – gut axis.

Ayurveda on diet

Ayurveda gives primary importance to food and Nutrition

Charaka samhita says” Food is the life of all living things, the world seeks food. Complexion, clarity, excellent voice, long life, understanding, happiness, satisfaction, Growth, intellect etc are all well established in food.”

Ayurveda has extensive prescriptions on foods to be eaten during different seasons. There is a specific, definite Ayurvedic advice on foods that suit or do not suit a particular individual (Prakrithi)

Ayurvedic concepts on Food, Nutrition and Digestion are sophisticated and relevant to the present modern living.

Facts about Digestion

It takes 3 hours for food to move though intestine.

Food disintegration in the stomach can last 3 to 4 hours

Large intestine can hold dried out remains of food for 18 hours to 2 days.

Digestive disorders

Indigestion (Ajeerna)

Also called “Dyspepsis”, Indigestion is pain or bloating, discomfort in the upper abdomen, after eating; sometimes accompanied by nausea & vomiting. Causes could be stomach ulcer, gastritis, Bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, stress, anxiety, certain drugs like aspirin, over eating, eating wrong foods, flatulence or gas. Vomiting may really bring relief. It can be induced with rock salt and water. Indigestion may cause heart burn. Take Raisins (10), dry ginger (1/4 tsp), sugar (1 tsp), Bottle gourd juice (1/4 cup) for immediate relief.

Fasting for 4 – 6 hours may help. Lemon is the best fruit to treat dyspepsia. Lemon juice (of one lemon) diluted with water, can be taken twice daily before each meal. Grapes, Pineapple, Pomegranate fruits (Juices) help

Raw carrot can be chewed or juice can be taken. Fenugreek leaves, Mint juice, Butter milk, Aniseed etc help.

Other measures:-

Avoid fatty, spicy, large meals. Also avoid – tea, coffee, soft drinks, smoking, alcohol. Eat your meals slowly in a calm atmosphere. Do not over eat. Do not eat when you are not hungry.

Constipation

Constipation is a condition in which the bowels do not move regularly or not completely emptied when they move. A constipated person may have hard stools that are difficult to pass. Bowel movements are usually fewer than 3 times a week. Constipated person has to strain to pass stools and may experience pain during bowel movement. Constipation can cause nausea and curb appetite. Constipation can lead to anal fissures, hemorrhoids (Piles) and bowel impactions. Causes are faulty diet and life style, in adequate food intake, low fiber diet, dehydration, inactivity, weakness, holding up / Ignoring the natural urge to defecate, abuse of laxatives, Drugs; Besides irregular, painful bowel movements, other symptoms are coated tongue, foul breath, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, dark circles under the eye, nausea, pimples on the face, mouth ulcers, constant fullness of stomach, alternating constipation and diarrhea, varicose veins, acidity, pain in the lumbar region, heart burn and insomnia. Best remedies for constipation are dietary changes and life style changes

Avoid bakery products and sugar products, white flour white sugar, cheese etc. Include more fruits in your daily diet – Bael, pear, Guava Grapes, orange, papaya, figs, help reduce constipation. Half a lime squeezed in half a glass of hot water with ½ tsp of salt is a good remedy. Drink plenty of water preferably kept in copper vessel overnight Chew the food in the mouth properly for 30-40 times before swallowing Dry figs soaked overnight and eaten in the morning helps. Drink 1-2 cups of saline hot water one hour before your usual wake up time. Go back to sleep. This drink clears the bowel. Before going to bed take one ripe banana and drink a cup of milk. When you get up in the morning drink a cup of hot black coffee without milk

Try drinking 2 glasses of water on empty stomach in the morning.

Other measures

Go for morning walk. Have physical activities, exercises, yoga. Give your body frequent oil massage

PILES

Piles or Haemorrhoids denotes inflamed conditions of the veins around the anal canal. Technically Piles / Haemorrhoids are dilated twisted varicose veins located in the wall of rectum and anus. The dilated veins may eventually bleed. Haemorrhoids that form above the boundary between the rectum and anus (anorectal junction) are called INTERNAL PILES. Those that form below the ano –rectal junction are called EXTERNAL PILES. Both types may remain in the anus or protrude out side anus.

Causes are

Constipation. Wrong food habits. Controlling the natural urge to defaecate or urinate. Not drinking enough water. Sedentary life style. Diet deficient in fibre foods. Lack of physical exercise, activities. Obesity. Drugs / Medicines. Poor hygiene. Pregnancy.

The Risk factors: Untreated piles may lead to Rectum prolapse, impotence, inflammation of the rectum, haemorrhage, anal fissures

Symptoms:

Feeling of swelling or heaviness in the Anus area

Pain or tightness during bowel movements

Feeling of incomplete bowel movements

Mucous discharge

Itching around Anus

Pain in the anus while sitting, driving

Bleeding after bowel movements

Increased pain, bleeding when piles get to severe stage.

Ayurvedic concepts

While sushruta recommended surgery, charaka, the physician advised drug therapy

Ayurvedic drugs enhance digestive power, relive constipation and flatulence and alleviates the pain

Treatment

Warm sitz baths, local anesthetic ointments or witch – hazel compreses

Diet regimen

Besides medicines, if the patient does not adopt diet regimen, Piles can not be cured.

Diet must consist of grains and cereal. Unpolished rice is recommended. Include 40 gm of fibre rich food every day.

Reduce salt intake by half. Avoid salty pickles.

Drink plenty of water

Avoid fast foods specially containing Ajina – moto, meat fish, coffee, tea, alcohol.

For at least 2 months do not take milk, Dairy products, butter cheese, khova. After 2 months these may be eaten moderately.

Life style changes

Avoid sitting or standing for a too long period

Take steps to avoid constipation – Take Bananas in the night.

Do physical exercises

Practice yoga.

ACIDITY IN STOMACH

Hyperacidity or acidity in stomach is used rather loosely to describe sour belching, acidity and indigestion.

Stomach produces Hydrochloric acid to help in digestion process. When this acid production is excessive, it causes a burning sensation.

Ayurveda describes this as excessive pilta dosha. Excessive secretion of Hydro chloric acid in the stomach is described as Amalpitta.

Causes are sedentary life, skipping meals, untimely meals, faulty eating habits, alcohol, smoking, excessive coffee, tea, stress, drugs, antibiotic medicines, steroids, junk food, excessive drinking of water during meals etc.

Symptoms:- Constipation, Burning sensation, sour belching, vomiting, Diarrhea, indigestion etc.

PEPTIC ULCER

A peptic ulcer is a round or oval sore where the living of stomach or duodenum has been eaten away by stomach acid and digestive juices. The term peptic ulcer is a general term applied to all ulcers in the stomach. There are two types. Gastric ulcer – denotes ulcers of the stomach. Duodenal Ulcer – the ulcer that occur in the duodenum. Ulcer is a painful disease. The ulcer may bleed, the blood mixing with stools weight loss may occur

Causes

Excessive secretion of stomach acid and the enzyme pepsin. – Hyper acidity Infection with bacteria “HELICOBACTER PYLORI”. Spicy, hot food. Anxiety, stress. Smoking, drinking. Medicines like aspirin, anti – biotic. Coffee & Tea.

Symptoms

Gnawing, burning, aching, soreness, empty feeling and hunger. The pain is usually located just below the breast – bone.

Night pain typically wakes up the person at night.

Pain that is relieved by food, milk and antacid.

Heart burn, loss of appetite, vomiting.

Management

For immediate relief milk, food and antacid may be given

Rice gruel (prepared with 1 part of rice with 14 parts of water) is very beneficial. Also is rice – ‘pongal!

Eating Pomegranate fruit alleviates burning & thirst

Medication

Ayurveda has a well documented study of Ulcers. It divides Ulcers into 3 types – Vataja Parinama shoola – Dominance of vata dosha – constipation, distension of abdomen. Pitaja Parinama shoola – vitiation of pitta dosha – thirst, burning sensations. Kaphaja Parinama shoola – kapha vitiation – nausa, excess saliva.

Ayurveda has a large number of drugs.

Sour belching is caused by sudden release of stomach acids through the mouth. Ayurveda calls it “Udgar”. Swallowing hastily large quantities of food may cause it.

For sour belching, take 12 to 16 raisins with ½ a cup of milk twice a day.

For hyperacidity, try these home remedies / tips

On an empty stomach, take 2 tablespoons of cabbage with 1 tablespoon of honey, early morning

Do not skip break fast

Take small quantities of food at short intervals

Drink cow’s milk 2-3 times a day

Take buttermilk, 1-2 glasses daily

Avoid eating pulses especially horse gram

Stick to vegetarian food

Do physical exercises, Yoga.

General Tips on improving digestion

Take your meals in a well ventilated room, in a calm and relaxed atmosphere.

Relax while eating. Avoid anger, stress, arguments while eating.

Chew well the food in the mouth.

Eat with a moderate speed – not too fast – not too slow.

As far as possible eat warm, fresh food.

Warm water facilitates digestion process. Avoid cold water.

Have food at regular intervals.

Dinner should be taken before 8 p.m. and should be lighter than lunch.

Drink fresh buttermilk either after or during meals.

Drinking liquid with meals may affect digestive process.

The Liver

The liver is largest glandular organ of the body. Iit weighs 1200 to 1600 gms. It is a complex chemical and detoxifying factory of the body. It has an unique character – it is capable of regenerating its lost tissues. Just 25% of remaining liver can regenerate into a whole liver again. Functions of the liver:-

Manufactures about half of the body’s cholesterol. About 80% of liver made cholesterol is used to make bile that aids in digestion. Cholesterol is also needed to make hormones – estrogen, testosterone etc. Liver also makes proteins for body function. It is an important site of metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It regulates the amount of blood sugar converting excess glucose to glycogen. It also synthesizes essential blood clotting substances. It synthesizes & stores vitamin ‘A’, iron reserves and minerals. Importantly, it breaks down toxic substances of the body and then to excrete them as harmless by – products. Liver is the site for drug metabolism. It contains many immunological active cells that keep up body’s immune ability.

Liver disorders

Jaundice: Yellowish colouration of the skin and whites of the eye caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood stream. Common in new born babies.

Cholestasis:- It is a reduction or stopping of bile flow.

Enlargement of liver:- May be due to several causes. It indicates liver disease.

Ascites:- Accumulation of protein containing fluid in the abdominal cavity.

Liver Encephalopathy:- is a disorder in which brain function deteriorates because toxic substances normally removed by the liver, build up in the blood.

Liver failure:- severe deterioration in liver function.

Fatty liver:- Excessive accumulation of triglycerides (fat) inside the liver cells.

Cirrhosis:- is destruction of normal liver tissue, that leaves non functioning scar tissue surrounding areas of functioning liver tissue. This is a serious disease main cause being drinking alcohol. This may be also caused by blood transfusions frequently needed by Haemophilic patients.

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver from any cause. It is caused by viruses. There are five hepatitis viruses. It is common through out the world.

Ayurvedic Herbs

Phyllanthus Niruri, Eclipta prostate, Phyllanthus emblica, Tribulus terrestris, Androgrophis paniculata,

Chichorium Intylu, Solanum nigum, Trikatu, Glycyrihza glabra, Aloevera, Emblia ribes, Elettaria cardam,

Myrstica fragrans, Caryophyllus aromatic, Ferula Foetida, Coriandrum Sativum, Musa paradisica heamoptysis

Cinnamomum Zeylanica, Zingiber officinale, Piper nigrum, Acorus calamus, Foeniculam Valgare, Cuminum cyminum, Vitis Vinifera, Cedrus deodara, Aloe vera etc.

Some Ayurvedic Preparations

For Anorexia (loss of appetite) Aravindasavam, Draksharishtam, Kumarayasavam, Ashtachuranam, Jambirathi Panakam (syrup) and Dasamoola Harithaki

For Acidity / Ulcers Chadurmukha Rasa, Kamadugha Rasa and Leelavilasa Rasa

For constipation & piles Abayarishtam, Drakshnishlam, Thribala churanam, Kutaja Paniham and Chandraprabha vati

For Stomach ache Manipathra lehiyam, Chulakutaram and Harithaki kandam

For Liver Rohishakarishtam, Lavangasavum, Arka lavanam, kanjanura Guggulu and Jasatha Bhasma