IBS Treatment in Mumbai

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects the large intestine which causes symptoms like - abdominal pain, diarrhoea, bloating, gas, and constipation. It can hugely impact a person's life. Medical centres like Gleneagles Hospitals offer comprehensive IBS treatment in Mumbai that includes a combination of dietary changes, medications, and lifestyle modifications - depending on the condition of the patient. Research has found that the symptoms of IBS are connected to the hypersensitivity of the nerves found in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. Managing IBS requires a personalised approach that includes dietary modifications and stress management techniques. Also, it includes irritable bowel syndrome medications such as - laxatives, probiotics, antispasmodics, etc. Diagnosing early can help manage the symptoms effectively and improve the quality of life.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome causes chronic digestive discomfort and can adversely affect a person’s life. It is not yet sure what causes IBS, but certain factors contribute to the development of the condition, such as:

• Imbalance in gut microbiota
• Abnormal gut motility (fast or slow digestion)
• Increased gut sensitivity (exaggerated pain response)
• Food intolerance (dairy, gluten, high FODMAP foods)
• Low serotonin can slow down digestion, while increased serotonin levels speed up the process.  
• Stress and mental health disorders such as Generalized Anxiety
• Disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety, etc.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome may cause symptoms as mentioned below:

• Gastrointestinal Symptoms: These include - excessive gas, cramping, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, etc, which worsen after eating.
• Non-Gastrointestinal Symptoms: These include - anxiety, sleep disturbance, depression, headaches, muscle pain, fatigue, etc. These symptoms indicate the role of gut-brain interaction in IBS.  

Most people can tolerate their symptoms, but others may find it difficult to manage, which impacts their lives and prevents them from working or doing other important activities. Managing IBS requires lifestyle changes, medications, and stress management. Irritable Bowel Syndrome self-care includes doing exercises, dietary modifications, relaxation techniques, etc. It improves the severity of the symptoms and overall well-being.

There are four subcategories of IBS, as mentioned below:

1. IBS-D (IBS With Diarrhea)

IBS-D is characterized by frequent, loose, and water stools along with abdominal cramping (mild or severe) and urgency. It is mostly triggered by abnormal gut motility, where the intestines contract quickly, which leads to rapid stool passage. It is mainly caused by gut infection and stress and is worsened by foods like - high-fat meals, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, etc.

It causes social anxiety and fear of sudden diarrhoea, as it can disrupt the normal living of a person. Sometimes, people driven by emotional stress struggle with the frequent need to empty their stomachs.

2. IBS-C (IBS With Constipation)

IBS-C is marked by infrequent, lumpy, or hard stool that is followed by bloating, straining, and a feeling of complete evacuation. This is due to slow intestinal motility, where the colon's muscle contracts weakly. This causes stools to move sluggishly through the intestines and absorb too much water.

Common causes of the condition include - low fibre intake, dehydration, hormonal imbalances, and stress. The gut's serotonin level plays a vital role in motility, and an imbalance can lead to delayed bowel movement. Also, patients with IBS-C have an overactive pain response - which makes the passage of stool and gas extremely uncomfortable. It also causes reduced concentration, loss of appetite, and fatigue.

3. IBS-M (IBS With Mixed Symptoms)

IBS-M involves alternating episodes of diarrhoea and constipation. It is often accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating, and gas and presents unpredictable bowel habits. The main cause of the condition is dysregulated gut motility - where the intestinal muscles alternate between overactive contractions (diarrhoea) and sluggish movement (constipation).

The condition is mostly triggered due to hormonal fluctuations, gut infections, diet changes, and stress. Also, gut bacteria imbalance (dysbiosis) affects digestion and bowel function. It adversely affects an individual's life due to constipation or urgent diarrhoea.

4. IBS-U (IBS With Unclassified Symptoms)

IBS-U refers to conditions where the IBS symptoms do not fit neatly into the IBS-D, IBS-C, or IBS-M categories. Patients may experience irregular bowel habits, discomfort, and bloating without a clear pattern of either persistent diarrhoea or constipation. The symptoms may fluctuate without a dominant pattern, while others may experience episodes of pain and bloating without major stool changes.

The cause of IBS-U is multifactorial, involving stress, gut microbiome imbalances, food sensitivities, and nervous system dysfunction. Patients often struggle to identify triggers since it does not follow a consistent and clear pattern. 

Pharmacological IBS Treatment

Before moving on to the treatment plan, doctors closely monitor the patient’s condition using several diagnostic tests. They assess symptoms of the condition and prescribe a series of tests such as blood tests, stool analysis, colonoscopy, etc. Rome IV criteria are also used to confirm IBS based on pattern and symptoms.

Pharmacological IBS treatment in Mumbai focuses on reducing symptoms such as - abdominal pain, bloating, altered bowel habits, etc. The choice of treatment completely depends on the predominant symptoms.

1. For IBS-D (IBS With Diarrhea)

• Medications such as antidiarrheal agents are prescribed to reduce bowel frequency.
• Sometimes, bile acid binders may also be prescribed. 

2. IBS-C (IBS With Constipation)

• Laxatives to improve stool consistency and frequency.
• Medication to enhance intestinal fluid secretion for easier bowel movement. 

3. IBS-M (IBS With Mixed Symptoms)

• Antispasmodics to alleviate abdominal pain and cramping
• Medications to balance intestinal motility to reduce fluctuations

4. IBS-U (IBS With Unclassified Symptoms)

• Broad-spectrum medications that address general IBS symptoms
• Pain relief for managing abdominal discomfort

In severe pain and discomfort, low-dose tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin are prescribed for the pain-modulating effects. Customising irritable bowel syndrome medication is essential based on how the patient’s body accepts or reacts to the treatment. 
 

Psychological And Behavioral Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, manages IBS by focusing on identifying and altering negative thought patterns related to the symptoms. It helps patients understand and recognise stressors and triggers that worsen the symptoms. CBT mainly aims at reducing anxiety and pain associated with IBS - thus promoting better life quality.
• Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy: Gut-directed hypnotherapy uses relaxation techniques and guided imagery to calm the digestive system. It targets the brain-gut axis, influencing how the brain processes pain signals from the gut. It is one of the most commonly opted Irritable Bowel Syndrome therapies that aims at reducing pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements. It is mainly helpful in managing chronic symptoms and enhancing overall well-being.
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): MBSR involves meditation and mindfulness practices to increase awareness of the body and its reactions. It teaches patients how to respond calmly to stressors and reduces flare-ups and anxiety that follow. It also helps maintain emotional balance, making it the most important part of IBS therapy.

Apart from these, healthcare providers use relaxation and psychodynamic therapy in addition to counselling for managing IBS. Relaxation methods reduce stress and pain by calming the nervous system. At the same time, psychodynamic therapy addresses emotional conflict and promotes healing by understanding and identifying underlying anxieties. When combined with supportive counselling, these treatment methods enhance the patient's overall well-being. 
 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self Care

• Dietary Adjustments: Patients with IBS need to make dietary changes, which involve avoiding sugary food, caffeine, spicy foods, and fatty meals, in addition to any other food that may cause discomfort. Also, it is advisable to incorporate fibre-rich food, which helps with bowel movements while staying hydrated to promote better and healthy digestion.
• Regular Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activities helps to maintain a healthy digestive system and minimize IBS symptoms. Exercising helps stimulate bowel movement, reduce constipation, and promote better gut function. It also reduces stress and anxiety, which are known to exacerbate symptoms. Practising yoga, brisk walking, low-impact cardio, etc is advisable.
• Stress Management: It is important to manage stress to control IBS - as stress is known to trigger flare-ups. Hence, practising meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation, in addition to other IBS treatments, mostly help reduce anxieties and enhance resilience to stress. Also, it is important to have good sleep, as it helps regulate the digestive system, reduces symptoms severity, and supports effective IBS management. 

Gleneagles Hospitals is well-known as the best IBS treatment hospital in Mumbai​ for its advanced gastroenterology department, modern diagnostic facilities, and specialists with years of knowledge and experience. We offer a holistic approach to managing the condition. Our doctors include nutritionists, psychologists, and alternative medicine experts - who help you manage the symptoms and live a better life.

If you are stressed about how to cure irritable bowel syndrome - contact Gleneagles Hospitals. We understand the condition is not permanently curable - but we do everything to ensure you are relieved and stress-free.