People having too much of tension, worry and anxiety have been found to suffer from duodenal ulcer.
In Ayurveda, the condition — duodenal ulcer – is referred to as Grahani. People having the Vatika type of physical composition are prone to suffer from duodenal ulcer. Even those having the psychic temperament can suffer from this condition. Duodenal ulcer affects the duodenum.
Mentionably, a person with a strong mind and determination can cure this disease even without any treatment. The ailment automatically subsides.
However, it may again recur during a psychic strain or stress. It may recur even if there is a disturbance in the intake of food.
The Duodenum
The duodenum plays a pivotal role in the digestive process. The duodenum is a horseshoe-shaped section surrounding a part of the pancreas and the pancreatic duct. It also envelops the ducts from the liver and gall bladder that open into it. Two ducts are connected to the duodenum. One duct excretes pancreatic juice into the duodenum; the other secretes bile.
The topmost portion of the duodenum is connected to the lowest end of the stomach. The duodenum is about 20 cm in length.
The Duodenum And The Small Intestine
The middle part of the small intestine, extending from the duodenum to the ileum, is called the jejunum, and the terminal portion is the ileum, which leads into the side of the first part of the large intestine, known as the cecum.
The lining membrane, or mucosa, of the small intestine is especially suited for the purpose of digestion and absorption. The mucosa is folded; the folds are covered with minute mucosal projections called villi.
Each villus is a small tube of epithelium surrounding a small lymphatic vessel, or lacteal, and many capillaries. Tiny glandular pits, called the crypts of Lieberkühn, open at the bases of the villi. These pits secrete the enzymes necessary for intestinal digestion.
The Digestive Process
Digested carbohydrates and proteins pass into the capillaries of the villi and then to the portal vein, which enters the liver; digested fats are absorbed into the lacteals in the villi, and they are transported through the lymphatic system into the general bloodstream. The lining of the small intestine also secretes a hormone called secretin, which stimulates the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes.
Causes of Duodenal Ulcer And Colic Pain
During this process, the patient suffering from duodenal ulcer at times experiences pain in the abdomen. This colic pain is termed as Parinama shula. It takes place due to the predominance of Vayu. Colic pain results after the formation of duodenal ulcer.
More often than not, colic pain takes place when one is hungry. It, however, subsides after one takes food. There may be exceptions, though.
Symptoms of Duodenal Ulcer
- Chronic colic pain arising due to duodenal ulcer causes the patient starts to lose weight. This happens because the body fails to absorb the food consumed. The digestive system fails to function to its optimum capacity.
- The patient becomes too sensitive and irritable due to his/her weak constitution.
- Sometimes, the ulcers start bleeding as well.
- The blood appears back in colour as it has to come out through non-functioning intestines.
- The stool may also appear black due to this bleeding process.
- The patient may vomit during this condition. On rare occasions blood may accompany the purged mucous substances.
Cure Constipation For Speedy Recovery
Constipation accelerates and aggravates the wind formation process inside the tummy in particular and the abdomen in general. This condition, in turn, precipitates the attack of pain.
The patient should be tendered laxative to cure constipation. Two very effective laxatives are the husk of Isahagol and castor oil. Either of these medications should be given to the patient at bedtime.
Dietary Regimen
The patient should regularly have pomegranate, amalaki, wheat, old (the one preserved for at least one year) rice, ghee and cheese prepared from cow’s milk, and skimmed milk.
What Not To Eat
- Don’t consume pulses;
- Fried food items are also prohibited;
- Similarly stay away from sour and hot items like curd, chillies, and spices.
- All in all, avoid all food items that promote roughness and dryness in the physique.
Other Important Points
- The patient should have sound sleep at nights;
- The patient must have sufficient rest;
- The patient must not be allowed to tolerate any tension, worry or mental strain and stress.
- Such persons should not observe fasts;
- Nor should a patient remain on an empty tummy for long.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Duodenal Ulcer
Ayurveda prescribed medications prepared from pure ghee (prepared from only cow’s milk) for patients suffering from chronic colic pain arising due to duodenal ulcer. In fact, these medications work for both the aforementioned conditions.
Common Delusion
One should not be under the delusion that disappearance of the colic pain connotes cure of duodenal ulcer or colic pain.
Both can return with a vengeance!
Adopt A Counter-Offensive Posture
Hence, it is always advisable to adopt a counter-offensive posture. The strategy is to strike at the very root of both the ailments. This can be possible only when the patient continues the medicines (prepared from the medicated ghee). These medicines need to be consumed over a sufficiently long time to enjoy permanent respite from the ailment.
The 2-Fold Medical Strategy
The medicines work in a two-fold strategy:
First, they cure the symptoms;
Finally these medicines prepare a shield against these diseases.
Ayurvedic Medication for Duodenal Ulcer
These five Ayurvedic medicines are Shatavari ghritta, Amalaki ghrita, Shankha bhasma, Mahashankha vati and Sukumara ghrita.
Mahashankha Ghrita And Sukumara Ghrita
Medicated ghee is the primary ingredient of the first two mentioned medications, viz., Shatavari ghritta and Amalaki ghrita. The others also have a considerable portion of the medicated ghee; but they also require considerable ratios of other ingredients.
Shankha Bhasma
Shankha bhasma is prescribed against colic pain.
The dose: Give the patient half a teaspoonful of this powder thrice daily. He/she should follow it up with a cup of hot water.
Mahashankha Vati
Mahashankha ghritta is recommended for patients suffering from acute colic pain. As the terminology ‘Vati’ implies, this medication is available in the tablet (pill) form across the Ayurvedic counters. It is an intense form of Shankha bhasma.
The dose: Two tablets thrice daily. The dose can be increased to four times if the intensity and frequency of colic pain is intense and frequent respectively.
Mentionably, the patient should drink a cup of warm water immediately after taking this tablet.
Uses: It cuts down on the colic pain intensity and boosts digestion.
Sukumara Ghrita
Sukumara ghrita is the commonly prescribed medicine by the Ayurvedic practitioners. The major ingredients of Sukumara ghrita is castor oil and pure ghee (prepared from only cow’s milk).
The dose: Two teaspoonfuls mixed with a cup of warm milk. The medications should be taken on an empty tummy.
Alternative: If the patient cannot have milk, then it can be mixed with a cup of warm water as well.
Note: In case, the symptoms subsist the dose should be increased, but gradually.
Caution Note: If the digestion process fails to respond adequately, it is due to the ghee component. Then, decrease the dose.
However, the digestive capacity of the patient does increase considerably within three-four days of taking the medicine.
In such cases, the person is able to consume additional amount of ghee as well. In such instances, increase the dose by half a teaspoonful daily.
Mentionably, the patient will not experience any discomfort or inconvenience till the dosage is increased to six teaspoonfuls of ghee.
Nonetheless, in such increased dosage the patient may at times feel laziness. It happens due to headache and drowsiness.
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