Integrative Perspectives on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches in Western and Unani Medicine

Research Article | Open Access

Volume 2025 - 4 | Article ID 279 | http://dx.doi.org/10.51521/IJFMPH.2025.41.120

Integrative Perspectives on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches in Western and Unani Medicine

Academic Editor: John Bose

Received 2025-05-29
Revised 2025-06-15
Accepted 2025-06-17
Published 2025-06-20

Mohd Mushfiq¹, Mursaleen Naseer², Mohammad Afif Khan¹, Naved Ahmad¹

¹PG Scholar, Department of Moalejat, Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, AMU, Aligarh 202001, India

²Assistant Professor, Department of Moalejat, Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, AMU, Aligarh 202001, India

Corresponding Author: Mohammad Afif Khan, PG Scholar, Department of Moalejat, Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, AMU, Aligarh 202001, India.

Citation: Mohd Mushfiq, Mursaleen Naseer, Mohammad Afif Khan, Naved Ahmad (2025) Integrative Perspectives on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches in Western and Unani Medicine. Int J Fam Med Pub Health, 4(1);1-5.

Copyrights: © 2025, Mohammad Afif Khan, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Abstract
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits, occurring in the absence of any identifiable structural abnormalities. Despite extensive research, the exact pathophysiology of IBS remains unclear, and current treatment approaches in modern medicine are primarily focused on symptomatic relief. IBS is among the most prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorders and is attributed to a complex interplay of gut-brain axis dysfunction, visceral hypersensitivity, dysbiosis of gut microbiota, and psychosocial stressors. In contrast, Unani medicine conceptualizes IBS within the framework of humoral imbalance, emphasizing disturbances in digestive temperament and dysfunctions of the liver and intestines. Symptoms resembling IBS are elaborated in Unani literature under various conditions affecting the sub-faculties of Quwa-e-Tabi‘iyah (natural faculties), including entities such as Ishaal-e-Dimāghī, Ishāl-e-Idwārī, Zarb-wa-Khulfa, Asbi Dast, and disorders involving Balgham and Safrā’. Other contributing factors described include altered Harkat-e-Dūdiyah (peristaltic movements), increased activity of Urūq-e-Jāzibah (absorptive vessels), and disturbances in Asbāb-e-Sitta Zarūriyya (six essential factors), as well as various forms of Qaulanj (colic). Unani scholars advocate for a holistic treatment approach involving dietary regulation (Ilāj bil Ghidhā), herbal formulations (Ilāj bil Dawa), and regimental therapies (Ilāj bil Tadbīr) such as cupping (Hijāmah) and massage to restore gastrointestinal balance and overall health.

Keywords: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder, Gut-Brain Axis, Visceral Hypersensitivity, Unani Medicine, Quwa-e-Tabi‘iyah, Humoral Imbalance, Herbal Medicine.