ABSTRACT
Gut health and digestion are considered as the most important processes of the human body. Anything that hampers the process of digestion and elimination disturbs the basics of the entire body. Inflammatory bowel disease or disorders are a group of disorders that cause chronic inflammation of the tissues of the digestive tract. In this article, we will look at IBD, modern treatment of mesacol in IBD and the better safer alternatives of mesacol by Ayurveda.
INTRODUCTION - WHAT IS IBD?
IBD or Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of disorders that cause prolonged inflammation of the digestive tract and majorly affects the most active period of one's life i.e. 20-30 years of age.
The two most common one are
1. Ulcerative Colitis
This condition involves inflammation and formations of sores/ulcers in the large intestine, colon and rectum. This is more common in males.
2. Crohn's Disease
This type of IBD can affect the entire digestive tract (from mouth to anus) and causes inflammation penetrating into the deeper layers of the digestive tract. This kind is more common in females.
COMMON SYMPTOMS IN IBD
COMMON CAUSES OF IBD
The exact cause is unknown however these factors are found to play a role in the occurrence of IBD
DIAGNOSIS OF IBD
Your physician may refer you to a gastroenterologist, who may then order some tests such as:
TREATMENT AS PER MODERN METHODS
In this article, we will take a deeper look into a kind of Aminosalicylates called Mesalamine (also known as mesalazine).
WHAT IS MESALAMINE?
Mesalamine (also called mesalazine), is an anti-inflammatory drug that is used to treat the inflammation of the digestive tract caused by ulcerative colitis, Crohn's and inflammatory bowel disease. It works by suppressing the chemical messengers called prostaglandins that cause inflammation of the intestine. This reduces ulceration, bleeding, flare-ups of the IBD. Mesalazine is sold under the brand name Mesacol which is a common prescription drug given by doctors. Mesacol (mesalazine) is majorly used in patients of Ulcerative colitis.
SIDE EFFECTS OF MESALAZINE (also called as Mesalamine)
While there are many benefits of Mesalamine (also known as mesalazine), long term usage can result in certain side effects of mesacol. Let us take a quick look at the side effects caused by the medicine mesacol:
Long Term usage can cause
- Worsening of colitis
- Renal toxicity
- Hypersensitivity reactions
AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
Ayurveda, a 5000 year old holistic system of medicine from India considers IBD as PITTATISARA and RAKTA ATISARA. When the digestion is hampered and there is formation of AMA in the body, it leads to the accumulation of toxins in the intestine and eventually leads to the vitiation of Pitta. Post this, when the blood in the intestine or the GI tract is vitiated by Pitta, it leads to the inflammatory change that leads to diarrhea and bloody stools. When the Pittaja Atisara is not treated, it eventually leads to Raktaja Atisara.
CAUSES AS PER AYURVEDA
As per Ayurveda, the causes for IBD are
- Consumption of excess spicy, sour foods.
- Consumption of heavy, raw products.
- Irregular eating habits
- Smoking and alcohol consumption.
AYURVEDA TREATMENT
Ayurveda treatment has a holistic approach that majorly focuses on the root cause. The treatments used are aimed at pachan (Digestion, Agni deepana (Increasing the metabolism), Vrana Ropana (to heal the ulcers) and Stambhana (to stop diarrhea). The commonly used herbs are Dadima (Punica granatum), Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica), Bilwa (Aegle marmelos), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica) and vasa (Justicia adhatoda). All these herbs are herbal alternatives to mesacol (also called mesalazine). Along with the shaman treatment (oral), certain procedures can also be done in Shodhana treatment (Panchakarma procedures) such as Vaman, virechana and pittahar vasti, nabhi lepa and shirodhara.
AYURVEDA DIET PATHYA AND APATHYA (Dos and Don'ts)
Along with the medicines, Ayurveda also recommends a strict diet with certain do's and don'ts that help in the complete recovery from IBD and prevent remission.
1. PATHYA (Dos
These are the things you should add in your diet.
2. APATHYA (DON'T'S)
These are the things that you should avoid in your diet
HERBAL ALTERNATIVES OF MESALAMINE BY PLANET AYURVEDA
Planet Ayurveda, a GMP certified company, prepares pure ayurveda formulations which are safer alternatives as compared to mesacol or mesalazine (Mesalamine). Planet Ayurveda prepares 100% pure, preservative free products .Ayurveda texts have some of the best alternatives to mesalazine (mesacol). All the ingredients in the products are aimed at providing healthy intestines and balance of the tridoshas.
The Ulcerative Colitis Care Pack includes
- Capsule Arjuna
- Vatsakadi Churna
- Pitta Balance
- Kutajghan Vati
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
1. Arjuna Capsule
Arjuna Capsules are prepared with standardized extract of Arjuna herb (Terminalia Arjuna).This formulation is soothing, nurturing and healing. Arjuna herb is cardio protective but also helps in relieving the gastric issues and burning sensations which is why it is useful in ulcerative colitis. It is also anti allergic and anti oxidant which also helps in dealing with all kinds of body pains, swelling and ulcers.
Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily after meals.3. Vatsakadi Churna
Planet Ayurveda's Vatsakadi Churna is a potent and safe formulation that has a combination of various herbs. The prime ingredients of this formulation are Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica) and Bilwa (Aegle marmelos) which are great for anti dysenteric action and also helps in reducing the inflammation in the body which makes this formulation a prime choice for IBD issues.
Dosage: 1 tsp twice daily after meal with plain water
3. Pitta Balance
A vegetarian capsule by Planet Ayurveda made with Pitta balancing herbs with the purest extracts of the ayurveda herbs. This capsule will support digestion, maintain the intestinal mucosa. It is made with Praval pishti, mukta pishti and kamdudha ras. This formulation provides a cooling effect to the body and helps in dealing with ulcers. This herbal formulation helps in balancing the aggravated Pitta from the body which makes it a perfect choice for IBD.
Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily after meal with plain water.4. Kutajghan Vati
Kutajghan Vati is a tablet formulation made from the classical Ayurveda texts with the prime ingredient as Kutaj herb. Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica) as an herb has cold potency and pacifies Pitta and Kapha dosha both of which are aggravated in IBD cases. It also has dry nature with astringent taste and helps remove ama (toxins) from the body.
Dosage: 2 Tab twice daily after meal with plain water
CONCLUSION
To achieve a healthy body, every individual needs to have proper digestion and elimination. Disorders like IBD can affect these processes and thus the normal lifestyle. While one can always go for modern treatment but considering the side effects of mesacol (which contains mesalazine/Mesalamine), there are much safer ayurveda alternatives to mesalazine. These herbal alternatives along with diet and lifestyle corrections help in dealing with inflammatory bowel disease and associated complications.
