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A Wholistic Issue

I recently went back to the doctor for a follow-up after the first "diagnosis" of IBS. I use quotes when I say "diagnosis" because I found out that IBS is sort of the catch-all solution when they can't determine anything else is wrong, but you continue to have digestive problems.


I had a lot of bloodwork done and had to provide a lovely stool sample, and everything came back really normal... so my doc had originally suggested giving a low-FODMAP diet a try and to see how I feel until my next follow-up visit.

At this follow-up visit a month and a half later, my doctor (a new one from the last visit - it's tough to have a great doctor because they are so hard to pin down for appointments!) gave me a more wholistic definition and approach to what IBS really is.


My initial visit introduced FODMAPs to me - which if you aren't aware, is basically an acronym that stands for types of sugars that are difficult for people with IBS to digest. And while eating a low-FODMAP diet has made me feel better day-to-day, there is still something missing. It feels like I'm on the right track, but we're not all there yet.


Enter - my follow-up visit and I learn that there indeed is more to IBS than just what you eat. My doctor this time tells me that your brain chemicals directly affect your gut health. She said feelings of stress can affect your gut, but also things like changing dopamine and hormone levels too.


If you're interested in a scientific approach to a wholistic take on relieving IBS symptoms, here is an article from UW Health that my doctor recommended to me:


My doctor said that some of her IBS patients will find that some days they can eat certain foods, and on other days those same foods will cause their system to become upset - meaning again that there is more to the equation than just food itself.

So my latest approach is to keep on with a low-FODMAP diet, but I've also ordered some of the supplements recommended in the article above to provide relief. Unfortunately, the Cromolyn Sodium appears to be by prescription only based on my searches, but many of these items are easily accessed and appear pretty affordable. Fingers crossed there is some improvement!


What approach (from the article) might you be interested in incorporating into your day or hearing more about?

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Hypnosis

  • Relaxation Training

  • Exercise/Movement





 
 
 

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