Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Part 1
What is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS, is a common digestive condition that could affect as many as 13-20% of Canadians. This means that a large part of the population is suffering from digestive issues and are unfortunately, left without answers or effective treatment. It can start at any stage of life and sometimes resolves on its own.
It is considered a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that other digestive conditions or diseases, such as Celiac Disease and inflammatory bowel diseases, have been ruled out. As there aren’t many conventional treatments for IBS, many people are are told to follow a low FODMAP diet or start taking a probiotic by their primary care provider. This causes a lot of frustration for those experiencing symptoms. Many people accept that they will always have these symptom but you don’t have to!
Common Symptoms
Abdominal cramping or pain
Diarrhea, constipation or alternating between these two forms
Bloating
Gas
Mucus in the stool
Possible Causes of IBS
Stress
Anxiety
Poor digestive function
Food sensitivities
Thyroid dysfunction
Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO)
What Can You do?
Track your diet for at least a week along with your symptoms to try to find a connection between what you are eating and how you are feeling.
Ensure you take a break to eat your meals.
Avoid screens and work while eating so your nervous system is focused on digesting your food.
Chew your food thoroughly.
Avoid grazing throughout the day and focus on well-balanced meals.
Avoid drinking a lot of fluid with meals as this can dilute your digestive juices and compromise digestion.
Watch sugar intake as this causes inflammation in the gut and the growth of “bad bugs”.
Be careful using laxatives and other medications to control symptoms as they can be habit forming and difficult to discontinue in the future.
Avoid processed and packaged foods as much as possible.
Consider seeing a Naturopathic Doctor to help you find the root cause of your IBS and a safe and effective treatment tailored to you.
What Can I Do For You?
Give you my undivided attention so I fully understand your whole health picture and you as an individual.
Be your health detective and advocate.
Discuss testing options with you if they would help determine the cause of your IBS.
Empower you and provide education so you understand your health better.
Find a diet that is specific for you that allows you to be symptom-free and feel your best.
Create a plan tailored to your specific health goals, which may include supplements and/or herbs.
Yours in health,
Dr. Tiffany Eberhard, ND