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IBS Treatment, IBS Symptoms, and IBS Diet

IBS treatment for IBS symptoms from London and Oxford specialist

Some 287 helminth species have been reported in human species [1]

IBS Treatment

Treatment selection, as driven by the patient, depends on how the clinician explains, understands, or apprehends the clinical phenomena.[8,9]

The Wilma Kirsten Clinic frequently sees patients presenting with symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) including IBS pain in the abdomen, bloating, constipation and flatulence. By a process of non-invasive IBS testing to confirm the suspected diagnosis of IBS and in-depth consultations to determine an appropriate diet for the IBS sufferer, many previous Wilma Kirsten Clinic IBS patients have experienced relief as can be seen by the following testimonials:

Dear Wilma, there is definitely a marked improvement in my gut health which has generally made me feel much healthier. Thank you once again for your valuable help in my quest for optimal health. – Elizabeth

Wilma, did you know it’s 10yrs since you treated me! That’s 10yrs IBS free!! Getting your help has changed my life (and my attitude to food!) THANK YOU – JenniJust to let you know that I am getting better. My nails are growing for the first time in years and a lot of other things are happening which is great. I seem to be able to eat a lot more foods now which is terrific but no tea or coffee at present. You really are terrific!!!! Thanks so very much. Your care is amazing. – Mrs L.

I have realised I forgot to write a thank you line for doing such a great job ridding me of all those foul parasites! Anyway, its been six months and the bad flatulence, bloating and other unfortunate side affects of infections have gone. – Matt

A big thanks for all your help and advice and setting me on the road to recovering from what has been a dark, long period of illness. – Edward

To read two IBS case studies using real examples from the Wilma Kirsten Clinic, please click here.

Test kits are non-invasive and are sent directly to patients for completion in the comfort of their own homes.

To identify the underlying cause of your IBS order a non-invasive Comprehensive Stool Analysis or a Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) lactulose test test today. These results will form the basis of your specific IBS treatment.

Email me direct to order your test

What is IBS?

The causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are not clear and certainly not well understood. IBS is defined as a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder characterised by the following presenting IBS symptoms which significantly affect quality of life for the patient:

  1. Abdominal pain and discomfort
  2. Constipation
  3. Diarrhoea
  4. Bloating

IBS is one of the top 10 reasons for seeking primary care and few effective therapies have been identified [2]. It is globally the most common functional digestive disorder and affects 10-20% of the adult population in several western countries compared to 9% reported in most Asian countries [3]. It is believed that 75% of patients suffering with IBS symptoms in the USA remain undiagnosed [4]. Statistics show that women are 1.5 to 2% more likely to develop IBS symptoms compared to men.

Traditional dietary measures may be just as effective as a low FODMAP diet – [5]

IBS symptoms often result after a stressful event such as a recent separation, miscarriage, redundancy, a public speaking event and sometimes after travels abroad where you suffered from traveller’s diarrhoea. A stressful event requires a much higher level of nutritional support and can impact the biological pathways in your body. Psychological stress has the propensity to exacerbate IBS symptoms particularly pertaining to bowel function. Depression and anxiety furthermore aggravate symptoms of IBS, which highlights the importance of considering individual health status, lifestyle, and state of emotional well-being when addressing symptoms of IBS and formulating a specific IBS diet.

IBS symptoms are classified as follows:

  • IBS-D: diarrhoea predominant
  • IBS-C: constipation predominant
  • IBS-M: mixed form

Conventional treatment may include anti-spasmodic medication, stool softeners, anti-diarrhoea medication, anti-depressants and peppermint containing capsules.

Recent research[3] shows that small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may contribute to IBS related symptoms. SIBO is a common cause for chronic diarrhoea. It develops as a result of colonization of the proximal small bowel by bacteria that is normally restricted to the colon (big bowel) and sometimes from overgrowth of oropharyngeal flora. Patients at risk are those who have had surgery (eg. blind loop syndrome), stricture (abnormal narrowing), or impaired gut motility and prolonged orocecal transit time. Other factors include progressive systemic sclerosis, jejenul diverticulosis, some patients with portal hypertension, chronic renal failure, acute diverticulosis, overt hypothyroidism, acromegaly and a large percentage of Crohn’s patients with small-bowel strictures[4]. Female patients with IBS-D may present with SIBO and lactose malabsorption more frequently than males[3].

To uncover the root cause of your IBS symptoms it is imperative to investigate and eliminate the following as a possible contributory factor:

  • Food Intolerances / Allergies
  • Candida or yeast overgrowth
  • Hormonal Imbalances
  • Lack of digestive enzymes
  • Intestinal permeability, commonly referred to as Leaky gut
  • Parasites, including Blastocystis hominis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Endilomax nana, Entamoeba hartmanni, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Giardia lamblia
  • Bacterial infections, including Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter braakii
  • Insufficient good gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium
  • Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
  • Stress related to abnormal or elevated cortisol secretion

A recent survey, conducted in a general urban population and using Rome III criteria revealed that IBS may be associated with a higher consumption of canned food, processed meat, legumes, whole cereals, confectionary, fruit compotes and herb tea. [7]

In order to pinpoint the real causes of a patient’s IBS symptoms and formulate a specific IBS treatment protocol, the Wilma Kirsten Clinic offers a comprehensive range of non-invasive tests.

How can the Wilma Kirsten Clinic provide help for IBS?

Once your medical practitioner has ruled out Inflammatory Bowel Disease, including Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Coeliac Disease, you may be diagnosed with IBS. Diagnosis in hand, you may continue to experience the same IBS symptoms and be offered no lasting relief, either because you have been misdiagnosed or because the exact cause of your IBS symptoms has not been fully investigated and addressed. You may even have been given medication which did not alleviate your symptoms despite long-term use.

The testimonial below shows how a non-systemic methodology to diagnosis and treatment can lead to years of frustration and misery for a patient.

I just want to say a huge thank you for all your help and support with everything. For the first time in years I really feel like I’m getting better, and I can’t tell you what a relief it has been to have someone who has been so supportive, understanding and constructive as yourself in amongst the frustration of candida and the other candida related conditions I was suffering from. After years of visiting GPs and specialists who dismissed my ailments as the untreatable ‘IBS’, it was only in my dreams that I would find someone who could pinpoint exactly what I had and how I could treat it in a natural yet effective manner. Thank you so much once again. – Francesca, who shared her experience on the Jeremy Vine show on BBC radio 2

At the Wilma Kirsten Clinic we believe in a testing first approach in order that we can fully understand the reasons behind the IBS symptoms that patients have been experiencing.

We start from a basis of fact and take a detailed medical history and review of a patient’s lifestyle in order that we can accurately identify the most beneficial test for each unique, individual person. This results in IBS treatment formulated to suit your needs and will include an IBS diet suggestion to address your distressing IBS symptoms.

Previous IBS patients have frequently been shocked by the results of these tests.

For example, in a study of 707 samples* tested at the Wilma Kirsten Clinic, 37% of patients suspected of suffering from IBS were found to have one or more parasite in their digestive system. It is therefore imperative to perform suitable tests prior to reaching a conclusion on a specific protocol to implement in order to alleviate IBS symptoms.

*Full details of the sample and IBS test results can be found here.

In your consultation I will identify which specific IBS tests will give you the most value and benefit. I will also assess your individual nutritional needs and suggest specific dietary changes which fit in with your lifestyle. We will discuss an IBS diet that takes your likes and dislikes into consideration.

For any queries, to order an IBS test kit or to make an appointment please contact The Wilma Kirsten Clinic by email.

If you would like to speak to Wilma Kirsten direct, call +44 (0)787 608 4829

Alternatively email your telephone number and Wilma Kirsten will contact you at a convenient time to discuss how to proceed without any cost to you.

For more information on Wilma Kirsten including her experience and qualifications please click here

Further Testimonials from the Wilma Kirsten Clinic

On getting her re-test results which showed no more bacterial infection and no more Candida, Charlotte send this reply:

I’m thrilled!! That’s really good news, so glad that it has all paid off, thank you for all your help with it.

I can’t believe how something as simple as altering my diet has ultimately changed my life! When I first met you I genuinely felt my Crohn’s Disease was getting so bad I’d need to be admitted into a hospital, and yet 6 months on from taking your dietary advice I’m healthier and more symptom-free than I’ve ever been! I’ve learnt that you can indeed be healthy and live a normal life despite living with an illness, and for that I am truly grateful!– Lawrence

References:

1. Taylor, L.H., Latham, S.M. and Woolhouse, M.E.J. (2001) ‘Risk Factors for Human Disease Emergence’, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society London, B, Vol. 356, No. 1411, pp. 983-9

2. Greenfield, R.H. (MD) (2011). An Honest Response – Placebos and IBS. Alternative Medicine Alert. Vol. 14, Issue 2, p. 20.

3. Sachdeva, S., Rawat, A.K., Reddy, R.S. and Puri, A.S. (2011). Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in irritable bowel syndrome: Frequency and predictors. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Vol. 26, Supplement 3, pp. 135-138

4. Yoon, S.L., Gruhndmann, O., Koepp, L. and Farrell, L. (2011). Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Adults: Conventional and Complementary/Alternative Approaches

5. Böhn, L., Störsrud, S., Liljebo, T., Collin, L., Lindfors, P., Törnblom, H. and Simrén, M. (2015) Diet low in FODMAPs reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome as well as traditional dietary advice: A randomized controlled trial. Gastroenterology. Vol. 149, pp. 1399–1407

6. Lappinga, P.J., Abraham, S.C., Murray, J.A., Vetter, E.A., Patel, R. and Wu, T.T. (2010). Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. Arch Pathol Lab Med. Vol. 134, pp. 264-270

7. Ioan Chirila et al. (2012) ‘Diet and Irritable Bowel Syndrome’, Journal of Gastrointestinal & Liver Diseases, Vol. 21 No 4, pp. 357-362

8. Engel, G.L. (1977) ‘The Need for a New Medical Model: A Challenge for Biomedicine’, Science, Vol, 196, No, 4286, pp 129-196

9. Alvarez, A.S., Pagani, M., and Meucci, P. (2012), ‘The Clinical Application of the Biopsychosocial Model in Mental Health’, American Journal of Medical Rehabilitation, Vol. 91, No. 2 (Supplement), pp. 173-180