The good news is there are natural treatments for IBS.
If you regularly suffer with gut issues such as bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, constipation, and/or diarrhoea, then it could be Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
The name implies that it’s a bowel disorder, but in fact it is much broader than that, affecting many of the body’s systems.
IBS can affect anyone, even children, but it does tend to be more common in women.
The Many Causes of IBS
There are many factors which may contribute to the discomfort of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
- Studies have found that IBS patients often have the parasitic infections Blastocystis hominis (BH) and Dientameoba fragilis. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing is recommended to detect genetic material from a specific organism.
- After taking antibiotics, a microbial imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract, Dysbiosis, can develop. This is commonly diagnosed alongside BH infections and symptoms include altered bowel motions, pain, bloating and flatulence.
- Food poisoning or acute gastroenteritis can trigger an overgrowth of short intestinal bacteria in the small intestine.
- Chronic, elevated stress hormones have a negative impact on your digestion. Your digestive enzyme function is reduced, disrupting the movement of food along the gastrointestinal tract.
- Food intolerances can cause IBS with wheat, gluten, yeast, dairy, and eggs being some of the most common culprits.
- A “leaky gut” can occur when there is a weakening of the protein fibres that line the gut wall, meaning that you’re unable to absorb vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
While traditional medical treatment aims to relieve the symptoms (usually with mixed results), naturopathy takes a different approach to IBS – identifying and treating the underlying cause/s so that the symptoms reduce.
Natural Treatments for IBS
As with many conditions, a combination of therapies is most successful in treating IBS.
One of the most important treatments involves restoring digestive acid and enzymes to support your body to break down food and extract nutrients.
Natural supplements may help to soothe and reduce gut inflammation, since IBS patients often have an inflamed digestive tract.
You may be also advised to start taking powerful probiotics to re-establish healthy gut bacteria. Since there are many different strains of bacteria, your naturopath will identify which are the most suitable for your body.
Learning how to reduce stress and anxiety can help tremendously since IBS plays havoc with your mind as well as your body. As a holistic health professional, a naturopath can give you practical and caring techniques, such as relaxation therapy, to reduce the impact of stress and boost your energy and vitality.
If you suffer from IBS and are looking for relief without the need to rely on long-term medication, it’s worth booking an appointment with your local naturopath.
