Ever been diagnosed with IBS, and been told you just have to live with it? Well, I am here to tell you that’s BS.
IBS, which stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is a diagnosis given when a person meets a certain criteria, when all other likely diagnoses are ruled out. However, most of the time, the underlying cause of IBS is not investigated. So in short, IBS symptoms are just that, a symptom. The most common symptoms of IBS include:
Bloating
Gas
Constipation &/or Diarrhoea
Reflux
Abdominal Discomfort
My philosophy and role as a Naturopath is to identify WHAT is causing this cluster of symptoms. Is it stress? Did your symptoms start after a bout of food poisoning? Is it a bacterial overgrowth? Whatever the underlying cause, I work with my patients to tailor a treatment protocol that will suit their individual needs as no two people are the same.
One of the most common causes of IBS (in up to 80% of sufferers) is SIBO, which stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. As the name suggests, SIBO is an overgrowth of bacteria that resides in the small intestine, and when given the right conditions, produce gasses (hydrogen or methane gas) which cause bloating, gas, reflux, constipation &/or diarrhoea & many other systemic symptoms.
If you are someone who has been diagnosed with IBS or experiences digestive discomfort, let’s chat! Book a Naturopathic consultation today!
Stay tuned for more on SIBO next month.
Written by Shannon Jolly, Gut Health & Women’s Health Naturopath, May 2024
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