Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can feel like battling an invisible foe every single day. It’s waking up not knowing if today’s challenge will be abdominal pain so severe that it affects your productivity or an overwhelming bout of bloating that makes you reluctant to attend social gatherings.
The unpredictability of bowel movements like diarrhea, constipation, or both can cast a long shadow on daily activities, affecting aspects of life from meal planning to last-minute outings. Beyond the physical discomfort, IBS can stir feelings of anxiety or embarrassment, creating a roller-coaster of emotions that can be exhausting to navigate. Given these challenges, it’s completely natural to seek help and find a solution that provides relief.
At PrimeHealth, we’re here to guide you on your path to recovery. Our dedicated team of experienced functional medical practitioners utilizes a holistic approach to dig into the root causes of your IBS. We believe in addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of your health to craft personalized treatment plans that cater specifically to your needs.
In this article, our team will share insight into various strategies and lifestyle adjustments designed to help you achieve a greater sense of well-being and reclaim control over your life.
Personalized Assessment
By looking closely at these factors, our functional medicine practitioners can create a personalized treatment plan just for you, helping you relieve IBS symptoms and improve your health.
Medical History
Your medical history, including past illnesses, surgeries, and treatments, plays a crucial role in understanding your current health. It helps our functional medicine team identify any existing conditions or genetic factors that may impact your IBS.
We’ll look for patterns in your gastrointestinal issues, previous diagnoses, and treatments you’ve tried, along with how they worked for you. Your drug history, including over-the-counter medications and supplements, can also aid in identifying potential triggers or other factors contributing to your IBS.
Diet
What you eat really matters for your digestive health, especially when it comes to IBS symptoms. Our team will chat with you about your eating habits, like any food sensitivities, and how much fiber, fat, and sugar you’re getting. We’ll help identify any trigger foods or nutritional gaps that might be making the situation rougher for you.
Lifestyle Habits
Your lifestyle choices, including how much you exercise, your sleep habits, and your daily routines, play a significant role in your overall health and can impact IBS symptoms. Our team will look closely at your exercise habits, the quality of your sleep, and any daily stressors you may have. By identifying these areas, we can suggest changes that may help improve your gut health and overall well-being.
Stress Levels
Psychological stress is a well-known factor that can worsen irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Our practitioners will examine your stress levels and how you handle stress, as ongoing stress can disrupt your digestive system.
They will also check for signs of anxiety, depression, or other emotional issues that might affect your symptoms and your overall health. Understanding these connections is important for managing IBS effectively.
Environmental Exposures
Studies show that environmental factors like toxins, allergens, and pollutants can significantly impact your gut health. Our team will evaluate both your home and work environments to identify any irritants that might be affecting your digestive tract.
This assessment will include checking for exposure to harmful chemicals, mold, or other stressors in your surroundings that could lead to symptoms of IBS. By understanding these influences, we can better support your overall gastrointestinal well-being.
Comprehensive Testing
Your medical history may be a great start but it’s still just a start. Comprehensive testing now allows us to go much deeper to diagnose IBS and identify the root causes. Here are some tests we may recommend based on your needs:
Microbiome/Stool Analysis
A microbiome or stool analysis checks the balance of good and bad bacteria in your digestive system. Having the right mix of bacteria is essential for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and keeping your immune system strong. If this balance is off, it might contribute to IBS symptoms.
Additionally, this analysis can help us rule out symptoms caused by pathogenic infections like giardia, Clostridium difficile, and Cryptosporidium. By identifying any harmful microorganisms, we can address specific infections that may be impacting your gut health.
Digestive Enzyme Production
Digestive enzymes are important for keeping our digestive system running smoothly, and they have a big connection to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These enzymes are proteins that help break down food into smaller pieces so our bodies can absorb nutrients effectively. When we don’t produce enough digestive enzymes, it can throw a wrench in this process, leading to incomplete digestion.
This incomplete digestion can cause fermentation of leftover food in our intestines, which results in gas, bloating, and discomfort—symptoms many people with IBS know all too well. Plus, not having enough digestive enzymes can mean we don’t absorb nutrients properly, also known as malabsorption, which can make digestive issues worse and contribute to IBS symptoms.
If you’re dealing with IBS, there’s a good chance your digestive enzyme levels might be out of balance. Testing these levels can help figure out if low enzyme production is part of the problem. Based on what the tests show, our functional health providers can suggest dietary changes or enzyme supplements to help with digestion. By boosting enzyme production, many patients find relief from IBS symptoms and improve their overall digestive health.
Food Sensitivity Testing
Food sensitivities can amplify IBS symptoms by triggering inflammation in your digestive system. If you’re experiencing discomfort, our team might recommend some testing to identify any specific foods that could be causing you trouble.
We’ll be looking for signs of food sensitivities, such as abdominal pain, nausea, and frequent bowel movement, which are different from immediate food allergies. While food allergies typically cause an immune response within minutes to hours after eating a particular food, food sensitivities can take much longer to show up and may arise hours or even days later. This delayed reaction can make it challenging to link specific foods to IBS symptoms.
Once we have that information, we can work together to develop a personalized diet plan that eliminates those problematic foods. This tailored approach not only addresses your immediate concerns but also promotes better gut health overall.
Addressing Gut Health
Here at PrimeHealth, we take a caring approach, believing that healing your gut can boost your overall well-being. With the functional medicine model, we focus on repairing any problems and strengthening your gut to prevent future problems.
With a patient-centered plan, our goal is to support your body’s natural healing ability, bringing comfort, relief, and hope back into your life by putting your gut health first.
Dietary Interventions
Figuring out a diet that works for managing IBS is a must, and one great way to do it is through elimination diets. You start by cutting out certain foods for a bit, then slowly bring them back one by one while paying attention to how your body reacts.
A few usual culprits include:
- FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols)
- Gluten
- Dairy products
We often find that patients who try a low-FODMAP diet, experience a reduction in IBS symptoms. Similarly, some people may not tolerate gluten or dairy products well, leading to digestive issues. Our team can help you identify any food sensitivities that might be contributing to your IBS and create an individualized diet plan to support your gut health.
Targeted Supplementation
When it comes to helping your gut feel its best, sometimes our bodies need a little extra support. That’s where we may recommend supplements for IBS. These can include:
- Probiotics
- Magnesium
- Peppermint Oil
- Flaxseed
- Ginger and more!
Everyone’s gut needs are unique, and supplements can be tailored to meet your particular circumstances. Perhaps your body isn’t getting all the vitamins and minerals it requires for optimal functioning, or maybe there’s lingering inflammation causing discomfort.
In those cases, specially chosen supplements can help address these issues, bringing balance back to your digestive ecosystem. Taking a little daily supplement as part of your journey can empower you to reclaim control over your health, one step at a time.
Treating Underlying Conditions
At times, IBS is present because of an underlying condition. In these cases, simply treating the IBS symptoms doesn’t effectively address the root cause.
Our team of functional medicine experts identify and treat any underlying conditions that may be contributing to your IBS symptoms. By addressing these issues directly, we can help alleviate discomfort and promote long-term gut health.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
SIBO, or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, occurs when there are too many bacteria in the small intestine. This can upset normal digestion and cause various digestive issues. Symptoms may include bloating, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort, which can be quite bothersome.
To diagnose SIBO, functional medicine practitioners check for specific signs and often conduct breath tests. Once SIBO is confirmed, the aim is to restore balance by eliminating the extra bacteria. This is usually achieved through dietary changes, probiotics, and sometimes antibiotics, helping your gut return to a calm and healthy state.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition where the pancreas doesn’t produce enough enzymes, which are essential for digesting food. As a result, individuals with EPI may experience symptoms like indigestion and unexpected weight loss because their bodies struggle to absorb nutrients effectively.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, a functional medicine practitioner can assist you. They will evaluate your symptoms and may recommend specific stool tests to assess pancreatic function.
If diagnosed with EPI, there are treatments available, such as enzyme replacement therapy, which supplies the necessary enzymes for proper digestion, helping you absorb nutrients from your food effectively.
Patient Education & Empowerment
Understanding your health and being empowered to make informed decisions are vital for managing your well-being. Patient education means learning about your body, your health conditions, and how you can take control of your health journey. Our team at PrimeHealth believes in empowering you with knowledge that makes a real difference.
We start by explaining complex medical terms in a way that’s easy to understand, so you feel confident in discussing your health. We provide simple guides and resources tailored just for you, whether it’s about nutrition, exercise, or stress management.
By educating you on recognizing early signs of health issues, we encourage you to take action promptly, preventing minor concerns from becoming bigger problems. This approach helps build your confidence and peace of mind because you’re partnering with your healthcare team rather than just being a patient.
Moreover, we make communication easy. You can contact us with any questions or concerns, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way. This knowledge not only helps you manage conditions like IBS but also brings you hope and encouragement to lead a healthier, more empowered life.
Final Thoughts
Managing IBS is all about a personalized approach that fits your unique needs, including dietary changes, supplements, and treatments. By focusing on your gut health and tackling any underlying issues, we can help you find long-lasting relief from IBS symptoms.
If you’re in Colorado, our team of functional medicine practitioners is ready to assist you in your journey to better health. We’re here to support you every step of the way with a caring, tailored approach!
