By Kyntiewborlang Kharakor
This op-ed was conceived when I was in my washroom throne; typed it in my workspace and then again, polished it in the next washroom session. My 15-20 minutes’ time in the throne is not wasted. I assure readers that the subject of this short write-up itself is silly, gross, or slightly a taboo, but it is worth sharing. I am a ‘toilet-lover’ or ‘someone whose gut’s have opinions and they’re loud’. I prioritize awareness and education even at the cost of embarrassing myself. I have a thousand numbers of REAL (as opposed to REEL) Followers IRL. I intend to share this with my tiny followers as an article-writing sample and a lesson about living and eating healthy. My ‘Flushy Fiend’ had taught, and forced me to journey a complete lifestyle-change for the better (or worse).
Signs
It all started in NEHU one day. I was on the bus from Mawiong-NEHU. A sudden jerk of the bus in one speed breaker in Mawlai Nonglum sent shockwaves into my stomach instigating a Tsunami from within. Never in my life had I been so tense, it was a race against time – but time moved slowly. As soon as our Blue Elephant stopped in the Cluster Classrooms, I sped off to the nearest washroom to relieve myself. From that day, it had become a regular experience (not only in NEHU), which later turned into a habit. The urgency to use the loo increases- many times the only thing that comes out is frustrated sighs. I never realised the signs thinking that it was only a minor stomach infection, hence the medicines of Dr. Mukhim from the NEHU clinic only gave temporary cure.
Diagnosis
Mother wondered that it might still be that nasty ‘niangsohpet’ that didn’t heal because Kiaw Bah Spi’s tonic didn’t work on me like it did on my seven siblings. My father insisted, “It’s just your head- Control it!” – he’s somewhat right but I couldn’t muster the courage to eat his spicy dishes as a test. My neighbour, (Late) Meiieid, after kneading my stomach, rules out my mother’s suspicion – ‘a lump in your stomach!’. ‘Bah B’s traditional herbal medicines will surely help’, I dragged my foot towards the clinic, a stone’s throw away from my house, after hearing Aunt Meimei’s loving concern. Finally, my wife yelled some sense into my spongy head – HOSPITAL. But again, I heard conspiracy theories about hospitals; “They’ll only find excuses to send you to a Covid Ward and charge exorbitant rates! Might even treat you as a Covid patient… You’ll definitely die!!”. I held on to my pants for the entire first wave, until a family event in the next Covid wave rendered me bedridden for three days, with only sudden spurts of energy for frequent trips to the washroom. Hesitantly, I entered the premises of Robert’s Hospital and met Dr Kharsyntiew – my saviour. After a series of “…scopies’ and enduring the uncomfortable tubes on both ends, we found the culprit – Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It is a common condition that affects the stomach and intestines which includes symptoms like cramping, belly pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhoea/constipation or both. It is an ongoing condition that needs long-term management. There is no possible cure so far. The causes of IBS aren’t really known but a few factors can play a role like abnormal contractions of the muscles in the intestine, nervous system, severe infections, early-life stress or changes in gut microbes.
Research Phase
Life after this discovery changed drastically for me as I have to monitor what I eat and maintain a diary with complex charts of – ‘Can have’, ‘Can have but 2/3 tablespoons only’ and ‘Strictly cannot have or you’ll blow up.’ There’s not much options, but dairy (except Dahi), fried food drowned in oil (pakoras, food items with artificial colours), heavily oiled masala dishes, soups (fatty) and several others are major triggers that can erupt a nuclear war which will last for 2 – 3 days. This and the cool off period are the worst because the body is susceptible to another attack. Stress is a major trigger that can prolong flare ups and even cause it. Medicines help a lot in such times.
Twist
However, diet and stress are not the only major concerns. Gut brain axis also plays a key role. At times when I eat a certain trigger food item, my stomach doesn’t react instantly and the opposite happens with my ‘chart-approved and safe non-trigger’ food item. Eating a plate of rice or snacks in my mother’s house/my in-laws versus eating in someone else’s house, travelling in a cab versus my father’s car or my own personal bike – these are two completely different situations that determine my stomach cramp. The comfort or ’got-used-to’ experience in the latter greatly appeals to my ailment. Training the brain (or fooling it at times) to adjust to new situations and environments is a daily challenge that I have to undergo. Travelling in a cab in Shillong’s traffic is a wild daring adventure for me. It is extremely hard and embarrassing to explain to people the reason for my refusal to attend an event or eat in a public gathering (funerals and other celebrations) or visit friends and family members. I often had to endure judging eyes, eyes that say – ‘U riewspah/u bam standard/u sarong kyreit/u kheinpoh ba ngi duk’ or worse ‘u tieng BIH’.
Enlightenment
I turned 30 recently. Medicines are crucial in managing IBS. But why be dependent on it at such a young age. IBS is a FIEND that lives inside of me but it is also a blessing in disguise – a clarion call for a change in lifestyle. I found my life’s mantra – GNC (Gym ‘N’ Church), after I contracted this disease. For mental and physical well-being, I turn to the Gym (and lately – “Shillong Times – Lyzander Vrs Bhogtoram). My brother introduced me to Genfit Gym Mawlai where I met a bunch of fighters who are struggling with personal demons like me. It is a safe-therapeutic haven where we churn physical wellness out of stress, and develop long lasting healthy habits and discipline. For emotional and spiritual well-being, nothing beats a regular silent solo meditation with God in a Chapel/Church. It is not a fool proof mantra, but personally for me, it works. I may not be able to get rid of IBS, but I can manage it in the long run. One of the greatest lessons it taught me was the ability to say ‘NO’ – No to late night celebrations, NO to offers of drinks and smoke, NO to Fast food and NO to a lot of things which are not good for my body even if it offends people. If I get tempted or become reckless at any point of time in life, I know that my lovely FRIEND will always remind me to stay on the right track with harsher punishments as I grow old.
(The writer is a school teacher in St. Mary’s English School, Laitumkhrah. While most teachers get headaches, Rowdy students give him diarrhoea.)