How is IBS Diagnosed?

Normally, a physical exam and medical history will be the first step in diagnosing IBS. The questions that are usually asked by your health provider will be:

When did your symptoms begin?
Can you work out what the trigger was? Was there a stressful event in your life recently?
How often do you have symptoms, and how severe are they?
Do you experience pain related to bowel movements?
Do you notice a change in how frequently you have a bowel movement?
Has there been a change in how your stool looks?
What makes it better?
What makes it worse?
What medicines/supplements do you take?

It is important to rule out more serious diseases that may mimic IBS. Therefore it may be necessary to have blood tests, stool samples and/or X-rays.

Here, at Naturopath Solutions, we are fortunate to have access to a patented IBS GUT DetectorTM test which sequences all of the bacteria associated with the detection of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and the IBS subtypes. That means that for once you can get some form of testing that shows which of the bacteria species could be contributing to your symptoms. You can also use this test to continually monitor your IBS recovery over time.

Q & A

Q: If you manage to treat my condition, will that be the end of it. I really could not imagine going through all this again.

A: This is a valid question, and I understand how you feel. You could be lucky, and if you continue to take care of yourself and implement many of the strategies that you will have implemented during your road to recovery, this might be the last time you suffer from IBS. However, from my years of experience, I have observed that most people who have suffered IBS and SIBO, generally have a predisposition to suffer from gut conditions, and if they sway from the straight and narrow, and return to their old lifestyle, they will most probably suffer relapses.

Testimonial:

I have seen many doctors and therapists in my life. Often I am not comfortable to be open and honest with them and many of them don’t like if I have educated myself using the internet on certain health conditions, and shrug off anything I say. With Celia, on the other hand, I can feel open and honest about my symptoms. I also feel very at ease about sharing with her what I have learned on the internet and she respects this and my knowledge. She then works together with me to find a therapy that I will feel comfortable with. She also sells practitioner-grade supplements that are far better than what you can buy in retail stores, and at a reasonable prices.
Judy R., East St. Kilda, Victoria

,Mark A. Sunshine