Irritable Bowel Syndrome – IBS Treatment
IBS Treatment: the not-so-simple diagnosis and its natural treatment
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) describes a constellation of symptoms that can fit into a gradient with severe chronic diarrhea (IBS-D) on one extreme and severe chronic constipation (IBS-C) on the other end. Another common presentation manifests midway on this gradient: alternating between diarrhea and constipation (IBS-A).
TOO LOOSE <------- TOO LOOSE + TOO HARD -------> TOO HARD
Dr.Makoto Trotter, ND Shares His Top Tips for Improving Your IBS
So you have been diagnosed with IBS. Now what?
First of all, as your doctor or gastroenterologist may or may not have explained to you, IBS is called a “diagnosis of exclusion.” Unfortunately, this does not really give you any valuable information about what is causing your symptoms. A diagnosis of exclusion means that your condition does not fit into any typical category of digestive disorders that has observable physical anomalies or laboratory value abnormalities. IBS is not a specific diagnosis, rather it is more like a “non-diagnosis”: it does not describe a specific condition with specific patterns.
A diagnosis of IBS is essentially a label that your digestive symptoms are in a realm where the mechanism(s) are not understood. Usually, a mechanism is generally required for a proper medical diagnosis or conventional treatment. This does not mean that your symptoms are insignificant. Nor does this mean that you have to continue living with an “irritable bowel”.
The one common experience shared by people suffering from IBS is that it affects your optimal daily functioning and depreciates your quality of life.
Our naturopathic doctor, Dr.Makoto Trotter, ND, can help you with IBS treatment using non-pharmaceutical methods. He will coach you on dietary and lifestyle improvements to improve your digestive health. In addition, he may use other treatments that could include herbal medicine, acupuncture or physical medicine to help you on your journey to digestive wellness.
What causes irritable bowel syndrome?
Because there are so many presentations of IBS, we do not a singular cause for this digestive condition. Abnormalities in gut motility may be linked to IBS. The nerves and muscles that regulate movement of food through the gut may not function normally. This can lead to either increased or decreased gut motility, presenting in either diarrhea or constipation, respectively.
Research confirms that stress triggers and/or aggravates IBS symptoms. Managing stress is a critical component to IBS treatment.
IBS may also present after a bout of a gastrointestinal infection, leading to a chronic presentation of new digestive symptoms. This could happen even after the infection has been resolved (called post-infectious IBS). Our naturopath can use comprehensive stool testing to understand the microbiology of your gut. This test investigates your stool for parasites, eggs, bacteria (both “good” and “bad” strains), yeast and protozoa. Information from this test helps us to determine if there are micro-organisms that may be contributing to your digestive symptoms.
Food sensitivities play a role in many patients with IBS. Various food items and ingredients may be plausible triggers for a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms in IBS. As a result, food sensitivity testing is a tool that helps to determine if food items may be aggravating your digestive symptoms. These symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation or vomiting. Consequently, identifying dietary aggravators is key to successful IBS treatment.
What symptoms are associated with IBS?
Symptoms directly or indirectly related to IBS or other digestive disorders (Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease, Colitis, Ulcerative Colitis) can include the following:
- Digestion: abdominal pain, bloating, distension, gas, heartburn, rectal pain, hemorrhoids, blood in stools, malabsorption of nutrients, diarrhea, constipation
- Dermatological: eczema, acne, rashes, hives, itchiness
- Respiratory: shortness of breath, poor endurance, congestion, sinusitis, post-nasal drip
- Musculoskeletal: joint pain, muscle cramps, muscle weakness
- Psychological: anxiety, embarrassment, depression, lack of enjoyment, decreased functioning at school/work/home
- Overall: fatigue, insomnia, frequent infections
IgG Food Sensitivity Testing
The IgG Food Sensitivity Test is a good tool to identify foods that may contribute to your digestive disorder. This test is different than the standard food/environmental allergy testing that your allergist may have run. The typical allergy test you may be familiar with (IgE allergies) involves scratching the skin in a grid-like pattern and applying a drop of each test allergen. This type of allergic response usually does not present with chronic digestive symptoms.
On the other hand, an IgG food sensitivity test, performed with your naturopath, can identify dietary culprits that lead to IBS symptoms. This type of allergy develops in a delayed response over a few hours or days making it very difficult to identify by observation alone. This type of food allergy may lead to chronic illness or inflammatory conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Your naturopath can discuss the benefits of IgG food sensitivity testing with you; it may be an appropriate option to help treat your IBS.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis
Comprehensive Stool Analysis is a test that provides information on the function of your gut. It can also help to rule out parasites and measure levels of bacteria and yeast. Furthermore, stool analaysis determines if there are adequate colonies of probiotics (“good bacteria”) or an excess of dysbiotic (“bad bacteria”) that could be contributing to your IBS. The stool test also measures the degree of inflammation in your digestive tract and whether you have malabsorption issues.
Your naturopath will work with you to normalize your gut functioning, settle inflammation and re-balance your bacteria.
How would visits work for natural treatment of my IBS?
- Comprehensive intake to discuss your digestion, immune system, hormones and many other body systems that may be impacting your digestion
- Review your diet and digestive symptoms and analyze for potential reactions
- Review previous diagnostic tests and reports relevant to your health
- Discuss test options that are relevant to treating your IBS
- Recommend a diet and lifestyle plan that is designed to reduce inflammation, support immunity and heal your gut
- Recommend nutrients and supplements to support your digestive health
- Discuss herbal medicine options for your IBS
- Discuss the connection between emotions and your IBS flare-ups and create strategies to improve your stress
- Potentially incorporate acupuncture to re-balance immunity to heal your gut
There could be several layers to your digestive health that need to be addressed. Dr. Makoto Trotter, ND will work together with you to systematically treat your digestion with a natural approach, based on how your own individual condition responds and improves. Book an appointment or contact Zentai Wellness Centre for further inquiries.