A brief look at IBS
Rebecca Smith A.S.K C.M.H. C.Hyp P.N.L.P
Systematic Kinesiologist, Hypnotherapist, Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming
7, Barclays Bank Chambers, High Street, Newport, Shropshire. TF10 7AU
Phone: 01952 813348 Mobile: 07976 819938 Web: www.newportcomplementaryhealthclinic.co.uk
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A Brief Look at ……. “Irritable Bowel Syndrome”
Although 20% of adults suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), tests often find no physical abnormalities. In IBS, the muscles of the digestive system go into spasm and can cause the contents of the bowels to move too fast or too slow, leading to embarrassing symptoms including, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and/or constipation, mucus in the stools, intestinal wind and bloating, anxiety and depression.
The actual cause is unknown but research suggests food intolerances, emotions, yeast infections, a lack of dietary fibre and poor beneficial bacteria status, all contribute.
Complementary/ Holistic Approach.
Wheat, dairy products, chocolate, sugar, tea, coffee and alcohol can all irritate the bowel.
A simple whole food diet is usually helpful along with avoidance of raw food and coarse grains, including nuts and seeds.
As dehydration starts in the gut, 2 litres of water a day is of utmost importance.
At Newport Complementary Health Clinic, I use the “4R Bowel Restoration Programme”, as initiated by a nutritional supplement company, to offer practical solutions to treating IBS. The programme aims to remove fungus, yeasts, and bad bacteria, which could be resident in the gut after a foreign holiday, tummy bug or food poisoning. Missing digestive enzymes are replaced. Friendly bacteria (probiotics) are re-inoculated to re-establish flora balance, leading onto the final step, repair. The lining of the gut wall needs to heal and regenerate, which could contribute to prevention of food intolerances and future problems.
Nutritional Supplements.
The nutritional supplement company initiating the "4 R Programme", recommend various supplements from their range to lend support for the symptoms of irritable bowel. At the clinic, Kinesiology allows me to test for the most appropriate support, should a nutritional requirement be indicated. Therefore, there is no guesswork in finding the best support for your requirements. New legislation prevents me from giving examples of those supplements in this article.
Other Factors to Consider.
Regular exercise massages all abdominal organs, encouraging proper removal of waste. Diarrhoea is usually a sign of inappropriate bowel elimination, as only the middle part of the colon is emptying, often due to an irritation. The large pockets of the large intestine remain impacted with faecal matter which could be the root cause.
As stress can trigger IBS, learning to relax is beneficial. At the clinic, I use Hypnotherapy to find and remove the root emotional cause of IBS and teach clients to relax by using self-hypnosis, allowing them to feel in control again. IBS sufferers often need to live their life around knowing where the nearest toilet is, which is embarrassing and distressing.
It is important to contact your GP in all cases of bowel irregularities as the symptoms of IBS could mask more serious bowel diseases.
The information contained in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a medical practitioner, nor is it intended to offer to reader advice on the condition or the symptoms mentioned. Always seek the advice of a medical practitioner before embarking on any new health regime.
Rebecca Smith
Newport Complementary Health Clinic
