Q: I suffer from chronic abdominal pain with loose stools and lots of gas. My MD has diagnosed me with irritable bowel syndrome. Is there anything naturopathic medicine can do for me?

A: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an extremely uncomfortable chronic condition of the large intestine that afflicts both men and women. It is the most common digestive illness in North America, affecting approximately 15% of the population.

IBS may prevent vital nutrients from being properly absorbed and used by the body. Many digestive disorders can mimic IBS so it is important to have a complete evaluation by your medical or naturopathic doctor to determine if you truly have IBS. Other disorders such as disorders such as malabsorption disorders, lactose intolerance, diverticulosis, inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer may produce similar symptoms.

Factors that contribute to IBS

The factors that contribute to IBS vary for each individual, though research supports the following aggravating or causative factors: Multiple food sensitivities, high levels of stress, altered microbial balance in the intestines including overgrowth of harmful bacteria or yeast organisms, parasitic infections, poor food combining, lack of digestive enzymes and others.

Testing and IBS

With all digestive disorders, including IBS, I will take an individualized approach to your health. To assess the causes of your IBS we may utilize specialized food sensitivity testing and sophisticated stool and digestive analysis testing. To help rebalance digestion and repair your gastrointestinal tract, I may recommend dietary changes, nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, homeopathic remedies or acupuncture