How to cure IBS like condition and stomachache - #32171
Age - 25, Female, Height - 5 feet My sister sometimes has severe stomachache after having food. It stays for a while and then goes away. Five years back, she had this condition which persisted for 25 days. We did tests like ultrasound and endoscopy. However, the doctor found nothing and suggested it's because of stress. But she didnt have any stress. Later we did stool test and there was some infection. She took digestives and after 8-9 days, it was gone. Now it has started again. Its always after having food. My father has same condition. He also did many tests but a different doctor found nothing and suggested it's because of stress. It seems like it has passed on to my sister. We give her Shunthi with black pepper and salt at the time of stomachache. After a while she feels better. She tells the pain is bearable but uncomfortable and she feels it above her navel. Please suggest what could be the reason and how it can be treated.


Doctors’ responses
Get a H.pylori test done , if not already. Maintain a food notebook to know what kind of food worsens the condition. Don’t drink water immediately after meal . Her digestive fire seems a bit off so maintaining that is also necessary. I assume that she’s not having any allopathic medicines as of now . If so , please let me know .
Include masala chhacha ( takra / mattha ) in diet. Avoid oily and heavy meals . Eat khichdi if possible. Eat in multiple chunks rather than having all at once .
Hingwastak churna ½ tsp with warm water after meal . [ Aviipatikar churna ( if there’s acidity) ]
And please let me know about stools , if it’s on time , texture or something off as such ?
When considering recurring stomachaches after meals in this scenario, balance in the doshas—particularly Vata and Pitta—must be considered. Given the symptoms and context you’ve shared, it’s possible that an imbalance in Vata dosha may be contributing to these digestive issues. Vata predominately governs movement in the body, and can create irregular digestive patterns including pain.
A practical first step would be to cultivate regular meal timings, ensuring meals are taken in a calm environment. This helps to stabilize Vata. The diet should include warm, cooked meals, seasoned moderately with spices like cumin, coriander, and fennel which are beneficial for digestion. Avoid raw, cold, and heavy-to-digest foods, as they can aggravate Vata.
Moreover, excessive Pitta in the digestive tract can lead to pain if certain foods overheats the system. Encourage meals that are not overly spicy or oily, and introduce cooling foods like Aloe vera juice as a morning tonic—taking about 1-2 tablespoons diluted with water before breakfast. This can help soothe the digestive tract.
Practices such as chewing slowly and thoroughly can also support digestion, ensuring that the digestive fire (Agni) is not burdened. Ginger tea or warm water sipped during meals can aid in digesting food without irritation.
Additionally, addressing stress and incorporating relaxation techniques can be helpful even if stress doesn’t appear like a primary factor. Practicing gentle yoga or pranayama can help calm the mind and regulate the body’s energies.
It could also be worthwhile to examine the possibility of a food intolerance, as these can sometimes mimic similar symptoms. Eliminating potential problematic foods such as dairy or wheat, one at a time, might help identify any that might be causing the pain.
If symptoms persist, seek collaboration with an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner in person. They can provide a more tailored assessment considering additional symptoms or lifestyle aspects that may not be immediately apparent in this context.
The symptoms you describe suggest an imbalance in her digestion, possibly aggravated by vata implications. The pain occurring post-meal often indicates insufficient agni, or digestive fire, leading to undigested food and toxins (ama) accumulation. Stress might be a suggestion from previous doctors, but in Ayurveda, the imbalance in agni is a more pertinent consideration for post-prandial discomfort.
Begin by focusing on meal regularity, ensuring she has meals at consistent times each day to regulate her digestive cycle. Shunthi (dried ginger), which you are already using, is effective for stimulating digestion and alleviating discomfort. It might be more beneficial for her to have it regularly about 15-20 minutes before meals to pre-empt the discomfort.
Additionally, try including a blend of a pinch of ajwain (carom seeds) and half a teaspoon of hing (asafoetida) in her diet. Add this gently sautéed in a tablespoon of ghee into her cooked meals. This combination can help in balancing vata and improving digestive fire, potentially reducing symptoms.
Encourage her to chew her food thoroughly and avoid drinking too much water immediately before or during meals. Sipping warm water throughout the day can help maintain agni and cleanse digestive tract. A half-cup of fresh buttermilk taken after meals supports digestion and reduces ama.
Observe triggers in diet causing increased discomfort. Avoid cold and stale foods, which might dampen her digestive fire further. Yoga asanas focused on digestion, like Pavanmuktasana and Vajrasana, post meals can be helpful.
If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a skilled practitioner to assess the necessity of personalized medication or Panchakarma therapies, ensuring no serious underlying conditions are being overlooked.

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