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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.
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.
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Health & Wellness Blog
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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 or e-mail us today to get started!
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 or e-mail us today to get started!