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Irritable bowel syndrome: a catch-all
diagnosis
Irritable bowel syndrome is just what the phrase implies — a syndrome.
That means that not only is the bowel irritated, but a whole
constellation of symptoms and causes is found in association with IBS,
not just one specific pathology. Scientists haven’t discovered
physiological evidence of disease in the bowel, so a clear-cut definition
has yet to be developed. Without recognizable pathology, IBS has
been classified as a functional disease — an umbrella term
encompassing bowel dysfunction that can play out in numerous ways,
for numerous underlying reasons. This is why the functional medicine
model provides the most useful approach for treating it.
So what causes irritable bowel syndrome?
While conventional practitioners do their best to address IBS
symptoms, we have learned that true healing of functional bowel
disease can take place only when you treat the root causes. We take
this approach because there is wide overlap between the causes and
symptoms seen in irritable bowel syndrome and those of other
problems, including yeast overgrowth, endometriosis, and food
sensitivities, to name just a few. All these other disorders can cause,
influence, or exacerbate IBS. Eventually mainstream providers will
catch up and recognize that IBS can arise for many different reasons,
and when we address all the factors one by one, patients can see real
results.(see GI Health saliva testing)
Here are some of the major triggers we’ve seen for irritable bowel
syndrome:
Imbalanced gut flora. The flora that populate our guts are so
important to every aspect of our health. Many women don’t realize that
when they take an antibiotic, especially repeatedly, it can wipe out their
bacteria — good and bad. Once the friendly bacteria that help digest
your food and protect the gut lining become imbalanced, digestive and
immune capabilities are compromised, potentially leading to IBS.
Certain steroid medications can also disturb floral balance in the gut,
as does an overgrowth of yeast such as Candida in the intestines.
Both can lead to or worsen IBS.
GI infection. Along the same track, research clearly shows a much
higher incidence of IBS following GI infection — twice as high, by some
reports. Some women develop IBS after contracting a case of food
poisoning or any one of numerous other intestinal parasites. Most of
these pathogens can be easily treated with herbs or antibiotics once
recognized, but resistance in certain bugs is becoming increasingly
worrisome, so I generally don’t hand out antibiotics to patients
complaining of IBS without first sending a stool sample for testing.
Food sensitivities/intolerances. Over half of the women I see with
irritable bowel syndrome have unidentified food sensitivities or
intolerances. Some of the most common food triggers are wheat, dairy,
corn, sugar, chocolate, coffee, tea and citrus fruits. Although food
sensitivities and allergies can be complex and change over time, we
use sensitive allergy antibody tests and an elimination diet to treat
them effectively. Once the problematic foods are discovered and
eliminated from the diet, the gut will quiet down and the symptoms of
IBS often disappear.
Hormonal imbalance. Lots of women notice that their IBS symptoms
are worst just before their periods. Why this occurs is not clear, but it
may have to do with the pattern of hormonal fluctuation in the second
half of the cycle: estrogen is lower for several days, whereas
progesterone is relatively high at the end of the cycle, then drops off
suddenly just before menses. Progesterone in general slows gut
motility, and lower-than-normal estrogen levels have been identified in
women with IBS. It’s possible that when the ratio between these two
sex hormones is off, sluggish bowels could in turn worsen pelvic
congestion, cramping, and abdominal distention.(see saliva testing)
Stress and anxiety. As anyone with IBS knows, stress and anxiety
can affect the body in many ways. When we’re stressed, changes
occur in the autonomic nervous system — the system of nerves that
make up the sympathetic (governs our “fight or flight” responses) and
parasympathetic (regulates the “rest and digest” responses) nervous
systems. In patients with irritable bowel syndrome, input from the brain
sends a message to decrease digestion and increase motility of the
colon, resulting in the rapid passage of incompletely digested stool.
But there are many other disease processes that can lead to IBS-like
symptoms, and we practitioners and our patients have to be mindful
about checking that nothing more serious is at the core of an irritated
bowel. For example, endometriosis, ovarian and colon cancer, and
inflammatory bowel disease can often cause or exacerbate bloating
and other symptoms that resemble IBS, which can lead to a
misdiagnosis. To be safe, these more serious disorders should always
be ruled out by your healthcare practitioner before settling on a
diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.
Living with IBS — it doesn’t have to be this way!
IBS is not a simple cause-and-effect disorder. Its intricacies reflect the
complexities of our own lives and bodies. To treat it, we have to look
deeper than high-fiber diets, Metamucil, antispasmodics and
antidepressants. It’s neither just in your head nor just in your gut. IBS
can result from numerous stressors in our environments, our diets,
even our thoughts — and the best way to begin the healing process is
by understanding that your own symptoms have their own solutions.
Our clinical experience proves that you don’t have to live with IBS
forever. It may feel like you’re stuck with the discomfort, but with some
careful attention and time, I know you can find your path to healthy,
happy bowel function — naturally. And we can promise the time and
attention you invest will be worth it, because healthy digestion delivers
a healthier life on every level.
A Personalized Program is a great place to start. At Balanced
Body Wellness Centre each person is treated as a unique
individual. Our personalized programs promote natural
hormonal balance with nutritional supplements, endocrine
support formulas, dietary and lifestyle guidance.
Call 770-425-6068 today to get started!
diagnosis
Irritable bowel syndrome is just what the phrase implies — a syndrome.
That means that not only is the bowel irritated, but a whole
constellation of symptoms and causes is found in association with IBS,
not just one specific pathology. Scientists haven’t discovered
physiological evidence of disease in the bowel, so a clear-cut definition
has yet to be developed. Without recognizable pathology, IBS has
been classified as a functional disease — an umbrella term
encompassing bowel dysfunction that can play out in numerous ways,
for numerous underlying reasons. This is why the functional medicine
model provides the most useful approach for treating it.
So what causes irritable bowel syndrome?
While conventional practitioners do their best to address IBS
symptoms, we have learned that true healing of functional bowel
disease can take place only when you treat the root causes. We take
this approach because there is wide overlap between the causes and
symptoms seen in irritable bowel syndrome and those of other
problems, including yeast overgrowth, endometriosis, and food
sensitivities, to name just a few. All these other disorders can cause,
influence, or exacerbate IBS. Eventually mainstream providers will
catch up and recognize that IBS can arise for many different reasons,
and when we address all the factors one by one, patients can see real
results.(see GI Health saliva testing)
Here are some of the major triggers we’ve seen for irritable bowel
syndrome:
Imbalanced gut flora. The flora that populate our guts are so
important to every aspect of our health. Many women don’t realize that
when they take an antibiotic, especially repeatedly, it can wipe out their
bacteria — good and bad. Once the friendly bacteria that help digest
your food and protect the gut lining become imbalanced, digestive and
immune capabilities are compromised, potentially leading to IBS.
Certain steroid medications can also disturb floral balance in the gut,
as does an overgrowth of yeast such as Candida in the intestines.
Both can lead to or worsen IBS.
GI infection. Along the same track, research clearly shows a much
higher incidence of IBS following GI infection — twice as high, by some
reports. Some women develop IBS after contracting a case of food
poisoning or any one of numerous other intestinal parasites. Most of
these pathogens can be easily treated with herbs or antibiotics once
recognized, but resistance in certain bugs is becoming increasingly
worrisome, so I generally don’t hand out antibiotics to patients
complaining of IBS without first sending a stool sample for testing.
Food sensitivities/intolerances. Over half of the women I see with
irritable bowel syndrome have unidentified food sensitivities or
intolerances. Some of the most common food triggers are wheat, dairy,
corn, sugar, chocolate, coffee, tea and citrus fruits. Although food
sensitivities and allergies can be complex and change over time, we
use sensitive allergy antibody tests and an elimination diet to treat
them effectively. Once the problematic foods are discovered and
eliminated from the diet, the gut will quiet down and the symptoms of
IBS often disappear.
Hormonal imbalance. Lots of women notice that their IBS symptoms
are worst just before their periods. Why this occurs is not clear, but it
may have to do with the pattern of hormonal fluctuation in the second
half of the cycle: estrogen is lower for several days, whereas
progesterone is relatively high at the end of the cycle, then drops off
suddenly just before menses. Progesterone in general slows gut
motility, and lower-than-normal estrogen levels have been identified in
women with IBS. It’s possible that when the ratio between these two
sex hormones is off, sluggish bowels could in turn worsen pelvic
congestion, cramping, and abdominal distention.(see saliva testing)
Stress and anxiety. As anyone with IBS knows, stress and anxiety
can affect the body in many ways. When we’re stressed, changes
occur in the autonomic nervous system — the system of nerves that
make up the sympathetic (governs our “fight or flight” responses) and
parasympathetic (regulates the “rest and digest” responses) nervous
systems. In patients with irritable bowel syndrome, input from the brain
sends a message to decrease digestion and increase motility of the
colon, resulting in the rapid passage of incompletely digested stool.
But there are many other disease processes that can lead to IBS-like
symptoms, and we practitioners and our patients have to be mindful
about checking that nothing more serious is at the core of an irritated
bowel. For example, endometriosis, ovarian and colon cancer, and
inflammatory bowel disease can often cause or exacerbate bloating
and other symptoms that resemble IBS, which can lead to a
misdiagnosis. To be safe, these more serious disorders should always
be ruled out by your healthcare practitioner before settling on a
diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.
Living with IBS — it doesn’t have to be this way!
IBS is not a simple cause-and-effect disorder. Its intricacies reflect the
complexities of our own lives and bodies. To treat it, we have to look
deeper than high-fiber diets, Metamucil, antispasmodics and
antidepressants. It’s neither just in your head nor just in your gut. IBS
can result from numerous stressors in our environments, our diets,
even our thoughts — and the best way to begin the healing process is
by understanding that your own symptoms have their own solutions.
Our clinical experience proves that you don’t have to live with IBS
forever. It may feel like you’re stuck with the discomfort, but with some
careful attention and time, I know you can find your path to healthy,
happy bowel function — naturally. And we can promise the time and
attention you invest will be worth it, because healthy digestion delivers
a healthier life on every level.
A Personalized Program is a great place to start. At Balanced
Body Wellness Centre each person is treated as a unique
individual. Our personalized programs promote natural
hormonal balance with nutritional supplements, endocrine
support formulas, dietary and lifestyle guidance.
Call 770-425-6068 today to get started!
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