For those who suffer with IBS, a normal life feels out of reach, at times. Fear of filling one’s schedule, making presentations that may increase anxiety, going out to restaurants or other people’s homes for meals, and more, all bring challenges that often have the person with IBS avoiding all these activities.
The following are a list of major causes of IBS (and IBD) and explanations of how Acupuncture and Natural Healthcare help address them.
1. Leaky Gut: The walls of the intestines breakdown and larger gaps arise thus allowing larger molecules (or proteins) to cross-over into the bloodstream before being broken down. Food allergies arise and thus, another form of chronic inflammation. It is imperative that the gut be healed up. This is done by using acupuncture to support organ function and to get the nervous system to perform optimally, and a natural internal medicine approach called the 5 R’s. REMOVE is the first R and involves removing inflammatory foods/substances to take pressure off the body. REPLACE addresses digestive system support in the form of enzymes, digestive acid, bile, etc, to ensure proper digestion is occurring. The 3 rd R is REINOCULATE which is about rebuilding the gut flora using prebiotics and probiotics. Following this is REPAIR which is about healing up the gut wall with glutamine, collagen, bone-broth, etc. And finally, REBALANCE where lifestyle factors are addressed so the stress response is far less likely to contribute to any further damage.
2. Stress, since we’re on the topic, is a big underlying factor in many who develop IBS, or more accurately, one’s stress response. We are all faced with stress, some more than others, of course, but there is definitely a difference in how we all respond to stress. Becoming more resistant to stress is very important. This begins with identifying our stressors, our strengths and weaknesses; maybe you have a good diet, but have a short fuse and little patience. Maybe you have a positive attitude but bad breathing habits. There are many factors to address when working with stress and the experienced Practitioner covers as many bases as possible. Meditation, breathing exercises, physical exercise, stretching, organization techniques, supplements, and acupuncture are important tools to help control how we respond to stress.
3. The Nervous System is a big player in many chronic diseases (arguably all of them). It is our body’s main way of communicating with itself and thus, functioning. A major nerve where IBS is concerned is the vagus nerve, one of the major cranial nerves which affects respiration, cardiovascular activity and digestion. Acupuncture is a main tool in regulating the nervous system. There are other toning exercises and nutrition to help the nervous system function optimally.
4. Infection is another possible underlying cause of IBS. Berberine, grapefruit seed extract, some culinary oils, and a host of other natural substances have anti-microbial effects meaning that some kill bacteria, some kill yeast/fungus, and others kill parasites. We try to identify the specific type of infection so we can identify possible sources of the infection to correct lifestyle behaviors so you don’t get reinfected…a common reason why people don’t get better. This often arises from an imbalance in the microbiome, the name of the cycle of life going on in our digestive systems.
5. Major disturbance to the microbiome. This was touched on in number one as the 5 R’s were discussed. It is important, however, to emphasize that when our good bacteria; the ones that support our natural immune response, help us metabolize our food, and more, are depleted and/or outnumbered by bad bacteria function is diminished and our system suffers as a result. I will refer you back to the 5 R’s and healing up the gut. Microbial balance is very important to keep in mind.
6. Let’s add a special extra that covers some triggers, like Food Allergies/Sensitivities. This further complicates the life of the IBS (or IBD) sufferer. Many foods may be mucus- producing or have inflammatory effect or just be difficult to break down for those with weak digestion thus causing gas which stretches the wall of the intestines creating discomfort, spasms, etc. We’ll also revisit stress here. Just a reminder that something can be both a cause and a trigger. We minimize stress by not focusing on it as a real way to treat health issues or by not fully explaining it. This is a major downfall of our system of medicine. And those who DO treat it in Western Medicine will often put people on anti-anxiety or anti-depressant meds that do not take care of the underlying problems and oftentimes lead to other health imbalances.
Here are the keys to consider if you have IBS and would like to follow a treatment plan that really works:
If you have financial means, objective testing is the quickest and most accurate way to get answers. The Organic Acid Test (OAT), the Microbiome Test, Candida and IBS, Food Allergy/Sensitivity Tests are just some of the tests that may be recommended for you to take.
These tests are oftentimes not necessary to achieve results, but as I mentioned, they may help get you better faster.
Whichever way is chosen, it is imperative that you are organized and dedicated. Make all your appointments and follow the treatment plan. Keep track of what you are eating, drinking, and the supplements you are taking, along with your symptoms. This will help refine your program and help you reach your goals.
For more information, and to get started on your path to optimum health, call Paul Gerst L.Ac. at 774-283-2726.