IBS Treatment Perth – Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS Treatment Perth – Causes, Symptoms & Natural Treatment

Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that requires specialist treatment. Our Perth clinic specialises in the treatment of IBS.

Irritable bowel syndrome presents as a variety of lower abdominal symptoms including altered bowel habits and abdominal pain. Our patients experience quick recovery after undertaking our IBS treatment at our Perth functional medicine clinic. We treat patients in Perth and Australia wide.

IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion and is believed to be the most common digestive disorder in western countries, most commonly seen in women between 20 and 40 years. It is becoming much more common and clinically we see it very common in men also. 

The normally rhythmic muscular contractions of the bowel become irregular and uncoordinated leading to interference with normal movement of food and wastes, causing an accumulation of mucous and toxins and digestive symptoms.

Sub-types of IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome)

IBS can be classified into different sub-types depending on predominant stool pattern. However, patients can transition between these sub-types:

• C-IBS: more than 25% of stools are hard and lumpy and less than 25% stools loose and watery
• D-IBS: more than 25% of stools are loose and watery and less than 25% stools hard and lumpy
• M-IBS (mixed): more than 25% of stools are loose and watery and more than 25% of stools are hard and lumpy
• Unsubtyped IBS: insufficient abnormality of stool consistency to meet above criteria

Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Possible factors include:

• Gut hypersensitivity: patients with IBS have been found to have increased gut sensation
• Low-grade inflammation: while IBS patients show no identifiable inflammation in routine colonoscopies, many show increased inflammatory markers suggesting low grade inflammation
• Altered GIT motility: may be decreased or increased depending on predominant type of IBS
• Altered GIT microflora: IBS patients have been found to have altered gut microflora (specifically lower Lactobaccili and Bifidobacteria, and higher Enterobacteria), and to have altered short chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles.

Risk factors of IBS

• Genetic predisposition
• Acute gastrointestinal infection (viral, protozoal or bacterial): precedes onset of IBS in 25% or more of patients
• Stressful and traumatic life events may trigger onset of IBS
• Antibiotic use
• Stress, anxiety, depression
• Poor diet
• Food allergy / intolerance – Gluten and dairy being the main contributors
• Bowel dysbiosis or SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)

Symptoms: may vary in intensity and be exacerbated by stress or prior to menstration

• Abnormal stool frequency: more than 3 bowel movements per day or less than 3 bowel movements per week. Diarrhea and constipation can often alternate.
• Abnormal stool form: lumpy/hard stools; loose/watery stools; ribbon-like stools
• Straining at defecation, fecal urgency, feelings of incomplete emptying, or explosive diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping, relieved by flatulence and defecation
• Diarrhea often worse in the morning and can be urgent and explosive
• Possibly mucous in stool 
• Associated symptoms may include weakness, lethargy, fatigue, bloating, reflux, nausea, fibromyalgia

Differential diagnosis

• IBD
• Diverticular disease
• Duodenal ulcer
• Lactose intolerance
• Biliary tract disease
• Allergic gastro-enteropathy
• Celiac disease
• Colorectal cancer
• Uterine fibroids
• Hyperthyroidism

Investigations into IBS

• Advanced stool analysis
• SIBO breathe test
• Intestinal permeability
• Celiac screening
• Food intolerances

TREATMENT STRATEGY FOR IRRITABLE BOWEL DISORDER – IBS TREATMENT PERTH

• Identify and address underlying causes (e.g. food allergy/intolerance, gut dysbiosis, bowel infection, low fibre diet, etc)
• Restore gut microflora / remove parasites, dysbiotic flora
• Repair intestinal mucosa barrier
• Support nervous system
• Promote normalisation of bowel patterns
• Reduce inflammatory response
• Reduce bowel spasm
• Support liver function

Diet plan guidelines for IBS

• A complete dietary history is important to assess dietary factors (e.g. fibre intake, reactive foods etc)
• A food elimination diet or Paleo reset diet protocol would be beneficial
• Wheat and dairy are the most common triggers
• A low FODMAP diet may be effective in reducing symptoms of IBS. Most times a general Palo reset protocol is enough, in more severe cases it is sometimes required to restrict further to a low FODMAP diet. 
• FODMAPS are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and can lead to fermentation in the bowel, causing symptoms of IBS. May be useful initially while restoring gut function and gut flora.  This diet should not be followed long term and only while initial healing is of the gastrointestinal system is taking place.

Foods to restrict on a low FODMAPS diet include:

• High lactose foods: milk and dairy products
• High oligosaccharide foods: legumes such as chickpeas and lentils
• High fructose foods: fruit and honey
• High fructan foods: wheat, onions
• High polyol foods: certain fruits and confectionary
• Healthy, balanced, whole food diet high in fruit and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds and oily fish
• Avoid foods that stimulate GI motility e.g. caffeine, alcohol
• Herbal teas following meals to aid digestion and reduce gas: chamomile, peppermint, ginger, fennel seed

Supplements that assist IBS

• Broad spectrum or target anti-microbial therapy to remove parasites or dysbiotic flora, investigative testing required prior to commencement
• Digestive enzymes: aid digestion and normalise bowel function
• Probiotics: strains that have shown efficacy in the treatment of IBS include Lactobacillus plantarum 299v, Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173 010, Bifidobacteria lactis HN019, Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, Lactobacillus fermentum PCC, and Bifidobacteria longum W11. Other lactobacilli and bifidobacter species may also be effective in the treatment of IBS along with spore forming strains.  Broad spectrum probiotics can exacerbate symptoms in cases of bacterial overgrowth and are best to be targeted.  Soil based and bacillus based strains have also shown benefit.
• Magnesium: to support nervous system and reduce intestinal spasm

Herbal medicine treatment for IBS

• Antispasmodics: peppermint (enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules), chamomile, wild yam, cramp bark, valerian, lemon balm, ginger
• Carminatives: peppermint, chamomile, fennel, ginger
• Digestive stimulants: ginger, gentian, dandelion, bupleurum
• Antimicrobials: pau d’arco, chamomile, barberry, wormwood, black walnut, oregano etc
• Anti-inflammatory: turmeric, licorice, chamomile

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TREATMENT OF IRRITIBLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) – Perth Clinic and Australia Wide

IBS is a multifactorial condition that is extremely common with the modern western diet and lifestyle.  A compromised gut with bacterial overgrowth is a presentation we see mostly in clinic with symptoms triggered by multiple food sensitivities. 

We tailor specific antimicrobial treatment plans to eradicate the dysbiotic bacteria and replenish the healthy bacteria.  Restoration of the mucosal lining and re-establishing the gut-brain axis is key in ensuring complete recovery from the condition.

At our Advanced Functional Medicine Perth clinic we have extensive experience in the treatment of IBS and other digestive disorders and have assisted many patients make a full recovery, many after suffering IBS and other digestive symptoms for 10+ years. 

If you or a family member are suffering from IBS or another digestive disorder we would love to hear from you. What symptoms are you having?  How long have you been suffering and what treatments have been most successful for you?  Please write a comment below.

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