Call Us Today

NEW PATIENTS RECEIVE A 15% OFF FIRST VISIT.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Do you find yourself scouting out a bathroom everywhere you go? Are you afraid that you may need to run to the bathroom at any moment? Or, do you no longer leave your house in fears of having an accident? If so, you might be one of the 25-45 million Americans that struggles with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

 
IBS is an intestinal issue that causes mild to severe abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, and/or diarrhea. Unfortunately, conventional medicine does not offer much hope in addressing IBS. Within conventional medicine, IBS is diagnosed when other structural issues of the intestines have been ruled out. At this point, there are few answers and little hope for patients and they are often prescribed anti-diarrheal and antispasmodic medications. The root cause of the problem is never addressed.
 
However, in the world of functional medicine, we know that finding the underlying cause(s) of IBS is imperative in addressing the problem. The good news is that IBS can be better supported when the specific causes are identified. At Bodyworks Wellness, we know that every patient is different and we take an individual approach in determining the root cause(s) of IBS.
 
What are some of the underlying causes of IBS? Well, it depends on the individual patient. But, research and clinical practice has shown us that there are four major factors that must be considered when supporting a patient’s IBS: dysbiosis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, leaky gut/food sensitives, and gut infections are all causes of IBS.
 
•    Dysbiosis: Is the disruption of the gut microbiota. This means that the gut flora becomes imbalanced with too many pathogenic bacteria (bad guys) to healthy bacteria (good guys). When this happens, it results in altered bowel function, constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating, Identifying the health of the microbiota is pivotal in addressing IBS.


•    Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO):  Another area of concern with IBS is a condition known as SIBO. SIBO is a complex problem where bacterium from the colon overgrows and trans-locates into the small intestine. These bacteria produce gas when we eat certain carbohydrates, which results in extensive bloating. Often times with SIBO we see constipation, diarrhea, or alternating constipation and diarrhea. Using dietary interventions and herbal supplementation is the best way to eradicate SIBO associated with IBS.
 

•    Leaky gut/Food sensitives: One of the biggest factors with IBS is intestinal permeability, also known as leaky gut. Leaky gut results in the breakdown of the intestinal lining. The intestinal wall is our first defense between our outside environment and our body. When leaky gut is present, it disrupts digestion allowing food particles to pass through the gut lining into our blood stream. When this occurs, our immune system begins to attack these “foreign” substances, causing numerous inflammatory responses throughout the body and digestive system. Unfortunately, in the presence of leaky gut, we are at a higher risk of developing food sensitivities, resulting in many reactions and digestive issues. Leaky gut is a compounding issue. We must work on supporting the intestinal lining while also identifying foods that might be promoting additional inflammatory processes in the intestines. The use of an elimination-provocation diet coupled with gut healing supplements works to cool this inflammatory process down addressing many IBS symptoms.
 

•    Gut infections: Gut infections such as yeast, harmful bacteria, and parasites must also be evaluated in IBS patients. These gut infections live in the gastrointestinal track and wreak havoc which causes a number of IBS symptoms. It is essential to work on identifying and eradicating gut infections when dealing with IBS.
 
In our office we take a multi-faceted approach to helping patients identify and address the root causes of their IBS. Don’t find yourself tied to your bathroom. If you struggle with IBS, we are here to help.