Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Naturopathic Doctors in Toronto, ON

Are you researching Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) treatment options? You're not alone, approximately 10% to 15% of the adult population in North America have been diagnosed with IBS and conventional treatment options are limited.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that all of the standard gastrointestinal tests for IBS treatment such as a colonoscopy or abdominal ultrasound are normal but the patient is still experiencing an ongoing mix of some or all of the following IBS symptoms:

Constipation
Diarrhea
Stomach Pain
Gas & Bloating

Conventional Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) treatment is often limited to the low FODMAPS diet, psyllium fibre and stress relief. Anti-diarrheal, anticholinergic and antidepressant medications may also be prescribed for IBS treatment with mixed effects and a risk of side effects. As a result, patients will often go to see a Naturopath after seeing minimal improvements with these conventional IBS treatment options.

Naturopathic Medicine provides effective Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) treatment because the focus is on fixing the functional issues that are causing IBS symptoms and the risk of side effects is much less in IBS treatment by a Naturopath compared to conventional treatment.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Treatment - The Naturopathic Medicine Approach

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS symptoms in naturopathic medicine are seen as a functional breakdown in your digestive system. As a result, we do a thorough review of your medical history and may recommend specialized lab testing aimed at assessing and fixing the root cause of your gut dysfunction. Functional breakdowns in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) include the following:

IgG antibody reactions to certain foods that then irritate the digestive tract
Bacterial overgrowths in the small intestine causing hydrogen, methane or hydrogen sulphide gas production and affecting motility (SIBO)
Bacterial or yeast overgrowths in the large intestine
Insufficient beneficial bacteria in the small intestine
Insufficient enzyme secretion from the pancreas to breakdown food in the small intestine
Insufficient stomach acid secretion in the stomach, impairing food breakdown

Some of the specialized lab tests we commonly run in the assessment and treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may include the following:

Lactulose breath test panels to identify bacterial overgrowths in the small intestine (SIBO Test)
Comprehensive Stool Analysis panels to identify bacteria & yeast overgrowths, assess beneficial bacteria levels, enzyme secretion and macronutrient malabsorption issues.
IgG Food Sensitivity blood test panels to identify antibody reactions to different foods

Following a comprehensive assessment, Naturopathic treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) includes a mix of dietary changes, nutritional medicine and herbal medicine therapies designed to correct the dysfunction and get your gut working better.

Gut Repair is What We do.

Book your appointment with Dr. Andresen at one of her Toronto clinics and discover how naturopathic medicine can provide effective treatment for your digestive concerns like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Treatment provided by Naturopathic Doctors is often covered by extended healthcare plans making IBS treatment in Toronto more accessible.

Serving across Etobicoke, Spadina Avenue, Downtown Toronto, The Beaches, the Annex, Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Oakville, Burlington, Scarborough, East York, Rosedale, Yorkville, Riverdale, Forest Hill, Leslieville, Liberty Village, Wallace Emerson, Bloor West Village, Parkdale, Kensington Market, Koreatown, Birch Cliff, Summerhill, Little Italy, Roncesvalles, Distillery District, Eglington East, Danforth Village, Upper Beaches, Cliffcrest, Oakridge, Birchcliffe-Cliffside, Birchmount Park, East Chinatown, Danforth East York, East Danforth and the surrounding areas.