If you are suffering with IBS you'll be only too well aware that the abdominal cramps and spasms can seriously affect your ability to enjoy life. And if you have consulted your GP you've no doubt tried everything on offer with little or no improvement. I have yet to find anyone who has experienced a significant improvement in their symptoms from using Lactulose, Fybogel or wheat bran which seems to be the most commonly prescribed “solutions”. Whilst it is important to consult your GP in order to ensure that there is nothing more serious going on, for most people the ultimate outcome is that you will be told you just have to learn to live with it (which of course you don’t).
 

I believe that IBS is over diagnosed and that very often there are simple changes you can make which will make a huge difference.   I advocate a step-by-step approach to eliminate the most common and simple to address issues first.

Sometimes it can be difficult to see the wood for the trees!  I see lots of people with IBS and can often very quickly pinpoint the reason/s they are experiencing difficulties.  If you wouold like me to help you then please feel free to book in for a free, no obligation consultation.

In my experience, the number one cause of poor bowel function is diet.  It’s really hard for people to know these days what constitutes a healthy diet. We have been fed misinformation by advertisers for so many years that it can be difficult to see through the hype. For people experiencing IBS symptoms it is a good idea to go back to basics and by that I mean protein and two or three veg (not including potatoes) and eating only “real” food. As a guideline, if we have eaten a food for several thousand years, keep eating it, if it has only been around for the last fifty years give it a miss. 

So that means removing from your diet:
 
Don't Eat

• Refined carbohydrates including white bread, potatoes, white rice, white pasta.
  
• Low fat products
  
• Ready meals
  
• Cook-in sauces
  
• Sweets
  
• Generally anything in a packet
  
• Refined sugar including mannitol, sucrose, sorbitol and fructose
  
• Carbonated drinks
  
• Breakfast cereals such as Special K, Frosties, Crunchy Nut Cornflakes etc
  
• Restrict caffeine intake - no more than 1 cup of tea or coffee per day.

Do Eat

• High fibre foods including brown rice, lentils, beans and pulses and whole grains.
  
• At least  five portions of fruit and vegetables per day with more veg than fruit
  
• Two to three portions of good quality protein i.e. fish, poultry, eggs, meat
  
• Fats – ensure your diet has sufficient fat including some saturated fat
  
• Small quantity of well chewed nuts and seeds 

Drink two litres of plain water every day.  Chronic dehydration is often mis-diagnosed as IBS.  If you drink less than two litres of fluids per day then you will be dehydrated and it is likely that you have accrued a significant hydration debt. Water is the only liquid to rehydrate with.  Use only lemon or lime juice to flavour. 
 
Do not underestimate the impact of dehydration, symptoms of which include: difficulty concentrating, impaired cognitive skills, tiredness, constipation and depression. A 2% reduction in hydration can lead to a 25% reduction in your performance both mentally and physically. In addition, dehydration puts a strain on every organ in your body. If you do rabbit dropping poos then you are dehydrated.

Drinking enough water will also help to improve your digestion.  Drink one pint of luke warm warm half an hour before each meal and then don't drink until an hour after a light meal and two hours after a heavier meal.

The quickest way I know to get dramatic improvements for those suffering from IBS is to supplement with Go Daily.   Poor digestion is often a factor in IBS as is lack of fibre and poor bacterial balance in your bowel: with this product you address all three issues at once. Whether you are experiencing constipation, diarrhoea or a mix of both improving your digestion can reap rewards.

All the ingredients in Go Daily are entirely natural and not habit forming in any way.  Go Daily simply provides a quick, easy way to improve your diet.
 
Once you have experienced how well the fibre and water combination works you can start o introduce more fibrous foods into your diet. High fibre often means high carbohydrate so watch your carb count as you increase fibre otherwise you may well end up putting on weight. 
 
For happy healthy bowels it is necessary to consume a combination of both soluble and insoluble fibre. Soluble fibre comes mainly from fruits and vegetables, whilst insoluble comes mainly from whole grains. The government are now advocating aiming for 25 grams of fibre per day however I suggest that 35 grams is more appropriate.
 
The fibre in Go Daily has practically no carbohydrate and simply passes through your body giving you a spring clean every day. Go Daily produces soft gel-like poos which are easy to pass.  Its a good idea to increase your dietary fibre and supplement with Go Daily.

I generally eat a very high fibre diet rich in raw vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds but I still take Go Daily every day. 
 
Take the Acid Test: As most people with indigestion (a good indication that you are not digesting well) and constipation actually have insufficient acid rather than too much it makes sense to check your acid levels before reaching for the antacids (which generally just make things worse in the long run).
 
Method 1: Take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with your main meal of the day. If you get any warmth, tingling, burning or discomfort then you have enough acid if not then it is worth supplementing with digestive enzymes.

Method 2:  The second method requires an empty stomach so you will need to leave 4 hours after your last meal.  Put a teaspoonful of bicarb of soda into a glass of water and drink it.  If you have sufficient stomach acid you will start to burp in ten minutes - no burping, then its likely your stomach acid is low.

Low stomach acid leads to poor digestion and also leaves your digestive tract open to invasion by germs such as the troublesome Helicobacter Pylori which causes ulcers.

A colon full of undigested food is going to add to abdominal discomfort. Poor digestion can be an issue in IBS but very often it is exacerbated by a lack of chewing. We have become so accustomed to eating food which is practically pre-chewed that we often give our food no more than a couple of chomps before swallowing. Experiment with chewing each mouthful 30 times to discover how much or little you chew and eat slowly to limit the amount of air you gulp down.

Also, don't drink whilst you are eating.  Drinking lots of liquid during a meal just dilutes your digestive juices and makes them less effective.  Have a drink of water half an hour before you intend to eat a meal.  Sip only small amounts of water (or a little wine) during your meals.

Sitting at a table to eat will also improve digestion as your stomach will be in the correct position.

By now you will be aware you are starting to feel a bit better so its a good time to engage is some colon cleansing.
 
Option 1 - Colon Hydrotherapy/Colonic Irrigation

Colonics can be amazing for people with IBS and results can be rapid although a long standing condition is likely to take longer to resolve. If you are experiencing constipation colonics can quickly bring relief and begin to re-educate your bowel to establish normal activity. It is also brilliant for rebalancing gut bacteria by removing all the pathogenic bacteria to allow a healthy bacterial balance to be established.   It also brings tremendous relief by removing large quantities of trapped gas which can make your tummy instantly more comfortable and a great deal flatter. Colonics are likely to reduce the time it takes to get your colon working and your tummy comfortable.
 
People always ask how many sessions they would need which is difficult to assess without knowing all the facts however normal bowel function can usually be established with three sessions over the course of 10 to 14 days, followed by three sessions at weekly intervals before moving to monthly sessions.
 
Option 2 - Colon Cleansing
Colon cleansers can be used in conjunction with colonics to enhance the results or can be used alone (if you are too shy for a colonic). Drinking two litres of water whilst taking Go Daily is pretty much bound to make you go if it doesn't then add in a colon cleanser.  If you rarely get the urge to go then choose Col-Tone A or Col-Tone B (can be taken for several months and best to alternate them) or Oxy when you get the urge but the waste is hard to pass.  In very stubborn cases you can use Col-Tone A or Col-Tone B in conjunction with Oxy.  If you would like to discuss how to use these products for maximum effect then e-mail me at info@detoxonline.co.uk or call 0113 3910415

It may come as something of a surprise to discover that a great many of our bowel difficulties are caused by sitting on western style toilets. The healthiest way to evacuate your bowels is a squatposition.

This can be achieved on your loo by elevating your feet either with an ergonomically designed Health Step from detox (£35.00 to order please call 0113 3910415 or e-mail your request) oralternatively improvise with a pile of phone books. Squatting takes the strain off the anal canal, opens the pelvic floor muscles and straightens the rectum.

People who routinely use a squat position tend to have much swifter transit times (the length of time it takes for the food you eat to leave your body) and are less likely to develop haemmhoroids, diverticulosis and appendicitis.

It is absolutely essential that you eat regularly if you want your bowels to function normally. You absolutely must eat breakfast – there are no exceptions. Eating breakfast wakes your bowels up. When food reaches your stomach a hormone is released which sends a message to your colon to empty as there is more food on its way for processing. If you miss out the first meal your bowels are going to be out of synch.
 
If you really can't face food then take Go Daily and have a smoothie followed by fruit or a handful of nuts and seeds mid morning. Make sure you chew nuts and seeds very well otherwise they can add toyour difficulties (and often end up sitting at the junction of your large and small intestines where they have enormous potential to cause mischief). Alternatively have a liquid power breakfast with Mealtime which is a high quality protein complex packed with vitamins, minerals, herbs and fibre. Unlike other replacement meals Mealtime does not contain sugar, wheat, artifical additives, gluten,colouring or any other junk.

Now many doctors in the UK don't believe that food sensitivities exist however doctors in the USA believe that around two-thirds of people who have been diagnosed with IBS are actually experiencing food sensitivities.

Some of the foods which commonly cause problems for people experiencing abdominal symptoms include:
 

• coffee/tea
• alcohol
• citrus
• sugar, manitol, sorbitol, fructose
• wheat
• chocolate
• dairy

But it is very difficult and time consuming to identify what is causing you problems without a test.  There are various forms of food sensitivity testing currently available.

The system I offer at detox is known as Vega Analysis and draws on homeopathy, kinesiology and acupressure. The reason I offer this method is that it was the one which identified my own sensitivities and it was life changing (saving) for me.
 
Testing costs £75 and covers 114 common foods, 35 vitamins and minerals and all the E numbers. Tjhe test takes an hour and a half because I like to double check all results.  Results are immediate and you will be given information which lists your problem foods together with suggestions for alternatives.
 
NB:  If you tested positive for candida overgrowth it would be valuable to also have a food sensitivity test as the candida is likely to have created food sensitivites or vice versa.

Exercise is really important to our bowels and every other aspect of our health. You can stay fit and healthy with as little as half an hours brisk exercise daily. You don't have to join a gym, walking is great exercise as long as you walk fast enough to raise your heart rate or you can use a trampet (described by NASA as the most efficient method of exercise ever discovered), take up skipping, join a dance class etc.

An overgrowth of candida albicans, something else that many doctors don't "believe" in, can also create IBS symptoms as well as making you:

• Depressed
• Overweight
• Underweight
• Suffer from recurrent thrush, cystitis or other UTIs
• Suffer from skin problems
• Gassy
• Lethargic
• Constipated/Diarrhoea

The Test

Take a glass of water to bed with you.  When you wake up in the morning, before eating or drinking anything, spit on the top of the glass of water.  Leave it for 5 to 10 minutes.

If you do not have a candida overgrowth the saliva will disperse to the edges of tghe glass.  If the saliva grows legs, creates suspended speckles half way down the glass, forms a cloudy pool at the bottom of the glass or turns all the water cloudy then you have a candida overgrowth.  For instructions on how to tackle an overgrowth of candida go to www.detoxonline.co.uk/www.detoxonline.co.uk/info.php

As we live busy lives at a fast pace it is a good idea to introduce forms of relaxation into your health and beauty routine.  Ideally make it something quiet and reflective such as drawing or painting, gardening, writing, craft or walking.

Meditation costs nothing to practice, you can do it anywhere, you don't need any special clothing or equipment, and it can take as much or as little time as you wish. It can help to join a group or you can book a one-to-one with me where I will take you through some deep relaxation exercises and some guided meditation.  By the end of the session you will have an idea how to start your meditation practice and know what state you are looking for.   I charge £70 for a two hour session.  I am happy for you to share the cost with two friends.

Reiki is also fantastic for inducing deep relaxation.  It creates a relaxed body and a calm mind. I am a Reiki Master and absolutely doing treatments - it's a treat for me too.
 
Stress has a major effect on your bowels. Its part of your fight or flight response.  When we constantly live on our nerves our body does not know the difference between you being stressed at work or being chased by a tiger that wants to eat you - both situations trigger the same response in your body.  Digesting your dinner takes as lot of energy, around 30% so if you were being chased by a tiger the last thing you would want to be doing is wasting energy digesting.  So the first thing that happens is digestion shuts down.  Then, the waste in your colon will be dragged back to be eliminated later (after all, again the last thing you want to be doing is leaving a trail of poop as you flee).  

Depending on the level of stress you are experiencing depends on what I would suggest.  Perhaps a session with a life coach or learning some stress busting tactics would help.   If stress is a major issue in your life then take up forms of exercise that wil also soothe your nervous system such as yoga, quigong or Tai Chi. 
 
If you would like to discuss your own condition I offer a free consultation so please feel free to contact me to arrange.

If you have followed the suggestions outlined here and found no improvement then it is likely that the cause of your symptoms is something deeper and sometimes it is difficult to see the wood for the trees so its a good idea to book in for a free consultation and see if I can help you further. 

For a very small percentage of people the very best outcome is to manage their symptoms.  I have several clients for whom regular colonics and use of particular supplements make a huge difference to their lives.  Whilst they continue to occasionally have symptoms by making changes to their diet and lifestyle we have managed to reduce this discomfort to a minimum.
 

Laughter is the best stress buster of all.