Naturopathic treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Calgary

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a condition that affects the digestive system causing a myriad of symptoms including diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, cramping, pain and mucus in the stool. Along with digestive symptoms, individuals can also experience fatigue and psychological issues stemming from the stress and embarrassment that come from the their bowel related issues and the symptom associated with this condition can range from mild to severe. The Canadian Digestive Health Foundation states that Canada has one of the highest rates of IBS with over five million Canadians currently suffering from this condition. This condition generally affects women more than men and is one of the most common reasons that people miss school and work.

At the present time, it remains unclear why some people develop irritable bowel syndrome although it may be a result of previous infections, stress, food intolerances or an inappropriate digestive environment. From a diagnosis perspective, people can have blood testing and GI scopes to rule out inflammatory bowel diseases such as Ulcerative colitis, Chrone’s and Celiac’s disease or conditions such as bacterial infections or colon cancer however, often the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome is provided simply from symptom presentation in a physician’s office.

General recommendations for dietary changes to improve IBS include:
•Eating foods high in fiber such as fruits and vegetables
•Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water daily
•Consuming protein for breakfast
•Avoiding “white” refined foods such as breads, pasta, sugar and milk-based products
•Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol and tobacco and sugar substitutes
•Reducing red meat and fatty foods especially foods containing trans-fats

There are many natural treatments that have been shown to be beneficial in treating this condition such as probiotics and fiber supplementation, however, often a more specific program needs to be developed based on the individuals history to alleviate the symptoms over the long term. Herbals such as peppermint, DGL, marshmallow root, aloe vera or slippery elm all work to soothe the lining of the digestive tract to decrease irritation and restore function. Magnesium can be used to relax the smooth muscle in the bowel to safely treat constipation and L-glutamine is often effective in treating diarrhea-based symptoms. Digestive cleanses can be effective in removing organisms such as candida or bacterial components that may be normal in small amounts in the bowel but problematic if allowed to proliferate to higher levels and exercise can be very helpful in reducing the body’s stress response for those that participate din a moderate intensity exercise program 5 days a week.

Naturopathic treatments of IBS works to identify foods that may be irritating to the digestive tract and to re-institute the environment of the bowel using supplementation if necessary. These treatments also focus on moderating the body’s reaction to stress to decrease the effect on an individuals digestive system which leads to a reduction in symptom presentation. At the Integrative Health Centre, Dr. Chantelle Drobot has worked with patients suffering from IBS for over 10 years and work with the individual to design a program that identifies food intolerances and specific supplements that can be helpful in alleviating the symptoms of this frustrating condition allowing the person to get their life back. To discuss your IBS symptoms, please give us a call at 403-287-2901.