Digestion
We have had much success in treating patients with digestive problems. Small changes in diet can have a major impact on your digestive system.
We specialize in the treatment of:
Constipation, Diarrhea, bloating, spasms, IBS, Candida, parasites, Gastric Ulcers (Helicobacter pylori), Heartburn, Indigestion Gallstones.
What is irritable bowel syndrome?
IBS is the most common gastrointestinal complaint which affects twice as many women as it does men. The symptoms are any one, or a combination of the following:
- fluctuating constipation and/or diarrhea
- abdominal bloating/gas
- abdominal pain and/or discomfort/spasms
- flatulence/wind
What causes IBS?
IBS can be caused by food sensitivities, lactose intolerance, infection, parasites, overgrowth of bad bacteria, lack of good bacteria, overgrowth of yeast and stress. Many of our patients have been found to have food sensitivities coupled with bad bacteria.
What can you do to find the cause?
There are two key tests that will help you identify the cause of IBS.
The first test is a food intolerance test. This test measures antibodies in your blood (IgG) and is carried out on blood collected from a finger-prick. The test will help you identify any culprit foods. Many of our patients with pain, diarrhea and bloating find that they have a food intolerance.
Stool test (Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis)
The second test we use is called the Comprehensive Digestion Stool Analysis (CDSA). This test measures bad bacteria, yeast overgrowth such as Candida and looks for every type of parasite present in your stool. All of these factors are key causes of IBS. In fact we have found that many of our patients have picked up some bacteria or a parasite either in the UK or from travel abroad. Other patients have taken antibiotics and have since developed food intolerances, candida and overgrowth of bad bacteria.
Once the causes of your IBS have been identified we can successfully treat the cause and not just your symptoms.
One of the success factors of the CDSA is that is based on three stool samples (not just 1 as in the NHS). This makes this test highly reliable. For example if you have a parasite, 3 stool samples will ensure that we catch every type. This test is also highly successful in diagnosing overgrowth of bad bacteria, yeast (such as Candida).
We are increasingly amazed at how GPs have failed to conduct any stool tests and instead can be hugely dismissive of your symptoms of IBS. They may try to convince you that there is nothing that you can do about it- or that it is all in your head. This is simply NOT true.
If you have diarrhea sometimes with urgency, you will find that these tests are invaluable to find the causes of your symptoms.
Other causes of IBS:
Sometimes IBS can develop after a bout of gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and bowel linings which cause sickness and diarrhea.
Stress
In some people stress also has a large role to play. Enzyme and stomach acid deficiencies have also been identified in people with IBS.
If you would like to conduct any of the above tests or require more information please call us on 0845 3387046 or you can call Victoria Tyler directly on 07881517034.
