Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a commonly used term to group together a range of gastrointestinal disturbances such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. IBS is a condition that is often poorly understood and treated.
In naturopathy our main aim is always to identify and treat the root cause of any health concern, so when looking at patients suffering from gastrointestinal disturbances there can be a number of underlying causes and we can work with you to uncover and remove hidden food intolerances and restore the production of digestive acid and enzymes which may be the key to resolving your IBS issues. However often there are also other underlying disturbances such as persistent and unidentified parasite infections, short intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and dysbiosis of the gastrointestinal microbiome.
Parasitic infections such as Blastocystis hominis (BH) and Dientameoba fragilis have emerged as one of the many causes for IBS. BH has been found to be as high at 70% in patients with IBS.
The difficulty in identifying BH as the cause for IBS can often be in the testing, common one-sample stool microscopy tests have a low detection rate of 48% compared to more sensitive testing such as PCR with a 94% detection rate. It is important when dealing with any parasitic infection that retesting is completed via appropriate stool tests rather than other less conventional methods to ensure the appropriate diagnosis.
SIBO is a condition in which abnormally large amounts of commensal bacteria are present in the small intestine and this can cause abdominal discomfort, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea and intolerance to certain foods. SIBO has been found in a large percentage of patients suffering from IBS and can often be triggered after a bout of food poising or acute gastroenteritis.
A microbial imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract is often referred to as dysbiosis, this may either be a pre-existing condition or may be induced after antibiotic treatment. This imbalance may trigger symptoms such as altered bowel motions, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence and food intolerances. Dysbiosis is also commonly diagnosed alongside BH infections.
When working with a naturopath a thorough case history is taken including current and past medical history as well as a detailed dietary analysis. Testing may be recommended in some cases to identify and assist in the management of certain infections. Using dietary and lifestyle interventions alongside nutritional and herbal medicine a naturopath can assist you to identify the root causes behind your tummy troubles and get you back to feeling healthy.
If you would like to make a time to discuss your health concerns with our Naturopath or simply enquire about the services we offer, please feel free to call our reception staff on 03 9337 8572 or make an appointment online.
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Written by Natalie Earles (Clinical Naturopath).
Natalie is an empathetic and caring Clinical Naturopath who creates a relaxed and non-judgemental environment for her clients. She has a special interest in the management of skin conditions and digestive disturbances. She is registered with the National Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA).
