Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common presentation seen within clinical practice. Around 1 in 5 Australians will have experienced the unpleasant symptoms of IBS at some stage in their lives. While medically there is no magic IBS treatment, a Naturopath may well be able to provide the relief you are looking for with the use of herbal medicine, nutritional advice and supplements.*

 

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) ?

IBS is primarily a disorder of bowel motility, which refers to a dysfunction in the normal functioning of the digestive system. Chronic constipation, diarrhoea and bloating or a combination of all three are the main diagnostic criteria. It is often confusing to identify the exact cause of IBS and there can be a number of reasons why a person will develop this condition.

 

How can I tell if I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

There are some common symptoms that you may experience if you suffer from IBS, they include for instance:

  • Constipation: difficult or infrequent passing of stools which may be accompanied by a feeling of incomplete evacuation.
  •  Diarrhoea: unformed stool on a regular basis including more than 2 bowel motions per day. Other causes of diarrhoea need to be ruled out first before functional diarrhoea can be diagnosed (infection, coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease).
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Excessive gas/flatulence
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Mood disorders

This can happen on a regular or intermittent basis and often over a long period of time. If you can say “yes, I experience that” to one or more of these symptoms, then it’s a good idea to see your fully qualified Healthcare Professional for potential IBS treatment.

How would I get IBS, and how do I go about IBS treatment?

The cause of IBS is multifactorial, known factors that can contribute to the development of this condition include: stress of emotional psychological factors, food intolerances, gut flora imbalance, intestinal hyper-permeability, inadequate recovery from enteric infection and low vitality. The typical Western diet and lack of fibre could also be a contributing factor in IBS. For more information on IBS and IBS treatment, contact us to see a Naturopath.

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