Naperville Integrated Wellness
NAPERVILLE'S TOP RATED LOCAL® FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE FACILITY
Why you still have IBS – Try some Functional Medicine for a change
You have IBS. You don’t know why this is happening to you; you want some answers and you want solutions that will actually make a difference in your quality of life. You have tried changing your diet, you take a probiotic but it has not made a much difference. Maybe you have been to your gastroenterologist, but you still don’t have any solutions.
IBS Functional Disorder
An IBS functional disorder refers to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by a cluster of symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. It is considered a functional disorder because it affects the function of the digestive system without causing structural damage. In IBS, the intestines may be more sensitive and reactive than usual, leading to symptoms triggered by factors like stress, diet, and hormonal fluctuations. Treatment for IBS often focuses on managing symptoms through dietary modifications, stress reduction techniques, medication, and lifestyle changes. Functional medicine looks to understand your IBS functional disorder at the source. Getting to the root of the problem with integrative medicine approaches can help improve your over quality of life! Learn more from our functional medicine doctors now.
So what do you do now?
IBS is a “functional disorder” of the digestive tract. You don’t diagnose it with a colonoscopy or endoscopy…your digestive tract looks normal. You don’t diagnose it with a blood test…your tests will be normal. A functional bowel problem like IBS requires a “functional solution”…you need a functional medicine doctor. With their help, you can discover what is preventing your gut from functioning properly. There is not a single cause for IBS and your personal root cause will not be the same as someone else with IBS. Below are listed some of the most common causes of irritable bowel syndrome.
Most Common Causes Of An IBS Functional Disorder
- Hormonal imbalances
- Neurotransmitter imbalance (especially serotonin and dopamine)
- Food sensitivities or food allergies
- Overgrowth of bacteria or yeast in the gut
- Parasitic infection
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Immune system imbalances
These are the most common causes contributing to your IBS and there is a very good chance you have more than one of the problems listed above. Only a functional medicine doctor will know how to identify these problems and understand how they are related to IBS. An IBS solution requires an understanding of it’s various causes.
How these cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Remember that IBS is a “functional disorder.” The causative factors listed above are preventing your digestive tract from working properly. Consider the following:
- Women tend to suffer with IBS more than men, so doesn’t it make sense that hormones play a role?
- Many who suffer with IBS also have anxiety or depression, doesn’t it make sense that chemicals like serotonin and dopamine could be a cause?
- Most of your immune system is located in and around the digestive tract, so doesn’t it make sense that food allergies or immune system problems could be a cause?
- Your gut if full of bacteria and yeast, doesn’t it make sense that an imbalance in these could be a factor in your IBS?
Who is going to consider these when treating you for IBS? Nobody. Unless they understand the functional aspects of the digestive tract.
Your gut does not function in isolation; other systems of your body have a profound effect on how it works. These other causes need to be evaluated and treated if you want to get down to the root cause of your IBS. If you have a functional problem, you need functional answers. Where do you get functional healthcare answers? From a functional medicine doctor or an integrative medicine doctor. You must look for the causes behind IBS; the effect of these causes is obvious…the causes are not.
Leaky Gut and IBS Functional Disorder
Leaky gut and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are both functional gastrointestinal disorders, with leaky gut referring to increased intestinal permeability and IBS characterized by symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. While distinct, they often coexist and share underlying mechanisms. Leaky gut involves compromised intestinal lining allowing harmful substances into the bloodstream, triggering inflammation. IBS, on the other hand, affects gut function without structural damage, influenced by factors such as stress and diet. Treatment for both conditions may include dietary modifications, gut healing protocols, stress management, and lifestyle changes aimed at restoring gut health and alleviating symptoms.
Speak with an IBS Functional Disorder Specialist In Naperville
During your initial appointment with a functional bowel disorder specialist in Naperville, expect a thorough evaluation of your medical history and symptoms, along with a physical examination. Diagnostic tests may be recommended to further assess your condition. Based on the information gathered, your specialist will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals. This plan may include dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, medications, and other interventions aimed at managing your symptoms and improving your gastrointestinal health. Your specialist will work collaboratively with you to address your concerns and enhance your quality of life. Questions or concerns? Contact Naperville Integrated Wellness today.
Functional problems require Functional Solutions.
My sincere wish for you is to enjoy health, happiness, and an enhanced quality of life!
If you would like more information about functional or integrative medicine solutions, learn more from Dr. Sharon Borkowski and Dr. Sexton at. napervilleintegratedwellness.com
Engage in thorough research, empower yourself with knowledge, and inquire extensively. When gathering information, critically evaluate its source. In today’s healthcare landscape, misinformation, outdated content, and biased narratives abound, even within reputable sources and organizations. It’s crucial to exercise discernment.
This healthcare approach does not aim to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease. This disclaimer stems from FDA regulations, which restrict the use of such terms to drugs. Instead, our approach focuses on non-pharmaceutical interventions.