IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome??

So many of my clients suffer with IBS and there are countless people that suffer daily with this uncomfortable, painful and miserable condition. Women are twice as likely to suffer from it as men are.

Irritable bowel syndrome is an umbrella term for any digestive problem that can’t be categorised. I have clients that come to me who have been suffering for years. And after numerous visits to their Doctors yet still with nothing resolved. What they suffer from differs greatly and their definition of it varies from person to person. For some it is constipation and for others diarrhoea and sometimes a combination of both. Bloating, cramps, pain, fatigue and wind are additional symptoms. Misery and despair seems to be an all too common cry.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?
There really is light at the end of tunnel, you do not have to suffer the rest of your life. Finding the cause is the first thing, and then treating that problem.

THE CAUSES

• candida
• bad bugs and/or lack of beneficial bacteria - compromised gut flora
• parasites
• food intolerances, particularly to wheat, dairy or fruit
• lowered immune system
• lack of digestive enzymes
• low stomach acid
• stress and anxiety
• hormonal imbalances
• compromised gut permeability
  

HOW TO FIND OUT THE CAUSE.
This can be done through symptom checks by a trained nutritional therapist who can if necessary use functional testing by a laboratory. Tests such as digestive stool analysis, food intolerance testing, adrenal and hormone tests are thorough and can give scientific evidence of a cause. These tests are much more comprehensive and specialised than most tests you can get from your doctor.

HOW TO TREAT
This can vary depending on the results of symptoms and tests but here are some good general guidelines to follow to help.

ENJOY THESE FOODS - 'THE GOODIES'

• Plenty of vegetables and wholegrains such as brown rice, oats, wholemeal pasta, wholemeal bread. All contains fibre which bulks up the stool, speeds up transit time and provides food for healthy gut flora.
• Have porridge for breakfast.
• Try gluten-free grains such as corn, quinoa, spelt, buckwheat, oats and rice.
• Snack on a handful of nuts and/or seeds or oatcakes and humus.
• Add a tablespoon of linseeds to your breakfast every day - particularly good for constipation.
• Drink plenty, at least one and a half litres a day. Best way is to have a pint glass and fill it up first thing in the morning, after lunch and in the evening. Or go to bed with it and drink as soon as you wake up.
• Experiment with plain bio-yoghurt, have with seeds, blend with fruit, add as sauce to meals or just have as a snack.
• Drink peppermint tea.

AVOID THESE FOODS - 'THE BADDIES'

• Irritating foods such as wheat and dairy, spicy and hot foods
• Stimulants such as coffee, tea, alcohol and chocolate
• All refined foods - anything white - white bread, white rice, white pasta, biscuits, cakes.
• Processed foods and soft drinks
• Caution with beans, cruciferous vegetables and sulphur foods such as eggs, onions and dried fruit.

FINAL NOTE

It is always advisable to go on a food plan for at least a month to see the effects.

Keep a symptom diary to see where you are now and where you will be.


To find out more about functional testing, interested in a consultation or just what to find out more, check out the web site on http://www.sunflowernutrition.com/