Nutritional Therapy, nutritionist, for IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, in Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Chepstow, Cirencester, Gloucester, Monmouth, Newport, Stroud, Tetbury, Thornbury, Gloucestershire and surrounding areas

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder that affects as many as 1 in 5 people at some time in their lives.

IBS is due to irregularities in the normal rhythmic muscular contractions of the bowels disrupting the normal progress of food and waste. Sometimes the intestines get partially blocked, trapping gas and stools and leading to bloating and constipation as well as the build up of toxins and mucus in the gut. Typical IBS symptoms include:

Constipation
Diarrhoea (alternating bouts of each)
Abdominal cramping or pain
Increase in frequency of stools

Temporary pain relief after passing stool
Intestinal gas and bloating
Mucus in the stools
Food Sensitivities or Intolerances

Someone with IBS may have a healthy diet but still be malnourished because nutrients are not absorbed properly in the gut and bouts of diarrhoea deplete levels of nutrients, minerals and trace elements.

IBS is painful but not serious. If more serious symptoms such as rectal bleeding, unexplained fever, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain or diarrhoea that disrupts night-time sleep are experienced then medical attention is needed.

Research indicates that several interacting factors can lead to IBS. Lifestyle factors such as stress and diet are the most common triggers, but physiological factors such as imbalances in the gut bacteria are also thought to play a role. Overuse of antibiotics, antacids, laxatives, alcohol, and some medications can all disrupt the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Poor diets with a high intake of fats, processed foods and refined sugars and deficient in nutritious whole foods and fibre can also lead to an overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria and proliferation of yeast. Finally, recent research has shown that food sensitivities or intolerances can also contribute to IBS.

How Nutritional Therapy can help

Because the factors contributing to IBS are so complex and often rooted in an individual's diet, lifestyle and physiological state, the personalised, holistic approach of Nutritional Therapy can succeed where conventional methods fail.

Nutritional Therapy with Essentia aims to identify the root causes of your symptoms through a process of one-on-one consultations, supported with laboratory testing when appropriate to assess gut ecology or to establish any food intolerances.

Based on these results an achievable programme of diet and lifestyle changes is worked out to help bring relief to your IBS symptoms. Because psychological factors can also contribute to stress, in some cases relaxation techniques or psychotherapy may be an effective part of a holistic approach to IBS.