April is IBS Awareness Month

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a chronic condition estimated to impact 10% of people worldwide, and IBS symptoms can get in the way of one’s quality of life. A naturopathic approach to IBS helps address symptoms in the short-term and focuses on re-establishing the foundation for health, stimulating the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

IBS symptoms include: abdominal pain, change in bowel movements, constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, changes in stool appearance, urgency, incomplete evacuation, mucus in stool, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Common triggers for IBS include: stress, inflammatory foods, microbial deficiencies, and leaky gut.

One of the best ways to investigate root causes of IBS is with a stool sample test to evaluate gut microbiome health. Our NDs often recommend the GI Effects test from Genova Laboratories. This test evaluates gut microbiome health and uncovers problems absorbing food and gut bacteria imbalances. Learn more about the GI Effects test on Genova’s website here.

Once gut microbiome health has been evaluated, the next step is to identify the underlying root cause(s). These include: altered gut motility, intestinal inflammation, changes in the gut microbiota (dysbiosis), or presence of intestinal candida or parasites. Stress also has a major impact on the aforementioned factors and can also impact visceral perception (hypersensitivity to pain), changes in secretion of gastrointestinal enzymes, increased intestinal permeability (triggering sensitivities to food), and the function of your immune system. 
Lifestyle factors also contribute to gastrointestinal health. Due to the connection between the brain and the gut, it’s important to utilize stress management techniques to help manage IBS symptoms. The goal is to shift from a sympathetic state “fight or flight” to a parasympathetic state “rest and digest.” Stress management looks different for everyone, but a few examples are: practicing mindfulness, daily movement, grounding, journaling & emotional freedom technique (“tapping”). 
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Try breathwork as a mindfulness practice. Alternate nostril breathing technique is energizing and helps balance an overactive nervous system:

• Hold your right hand in front of your nose
• Loosely bring your index and middle finger into a fist, extend your thumb and ring finger 
• Use your thumb to gently close your right nostril
• Inhale fully through your left nostril
• Release your thumb and close your left nostril with your ring finger
• Exhale fully through your right nostril, then inhale fully through your right nostril
• Release your ring finger and close your right nostril with your thumb
• Exhale fully through your left nostril
• That completes one cycle. 
• Repeat 3-5 times