Yoga Relieves Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation and/or diarrhea. People with IBS often have high levels of anxiety and stress. The drug loperamide is commonly prescribed to treat IBS symptoms. Now research reports that yoga practice may relieve diarrhea-predominant IBS more effectively than loperamide drug treatment.
The Study
The study, published in Applied Physiology and Biofeedback, compared the effects of yoga and loperamide drug treatment in men with diarrhea-predominant IBS. Researchers from All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, India, administered either 2-6 mg loperamide daily or yoga twice daily to 22 men (aged 20 to 50 years old) diagnosed with diarrhea-predominant IBS, for two months. The yoga program included 12 common yoga poses, such as Paschimottanasana (seated forward bend), Trikonasana (triangle), Dhanurasana (bow), Vajrasana (thunderbolt) and Ustrasana (camel), and yoga nostril breathing (Surya Nadi pranayama). The researchers evaluated the participants' bowel symptoms and anxiety profile with psychological tests, autonomic reactivity tests, and surface electrogastrography, at the beginning, first month and second month of the study.
The Results
The researchers found that both groups had a decrease in IBS symptoms and anxiety.
However, the yoga group had a greater activation of the parasympathetic nervous system's relaxation response. The loperamide group had a greater increase in gastrointestinal (GI) activity.
"The study indicates a beneficial effect of yogic intervention over conventional treatment in diarrhea-predominant IBS," the study authors conclude.
The Main Point
Although this is a small study it is significant because it shows that yoga can help relieve IBS symptoms and anxiety. Yoga practice may help IBS by turning on the parasympathetic nervous system's relaxation response. This can help counteract the effects of stress and chronic anxiety.
Your Thoughts
Are you a practicing yoga to help manage digestive problems or chronic stress? Please share with us below.
Sources
Gavalas, Elaine. Yogi in the Kitchen. Penguin Putnam Avery. elainegavalas.com .
Published by Elaine Gavalas
Elaine's featured on the Today Show, Martha Stewart Living Today and other media. She's an exercise physiologist, nutritionist, yoga therapist and author of Yogi in the Kitchen, Yoga Minibook Series and Secr... View profile
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