Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Background
49 year old married woman with three children, aged 15, 13 and 7. Client performs home duties and presented with gastritis, IBS and fibromyalgia. She has previously sought advice from a GP and been trying a low FODMAP diet for IBS and takes pantoprazole for her gastritis and Vitamin D for the past 4-5 years. Neither of these two approaches have provided much relief for her, the FODMAP diet reduces symptoms some but not significantly. The client undertakes walking and Pilates, sometimes the gym as part of her exercise routine, undertaking these activities 2.5 times per week on average.
Gastritis – Presents with sharp pains, acid reflux after meals, common triggers are coffee, onions, alcohol, garlic. Present for the past 18 months.
IBS – presents with regular bloating, stomach pain, daily fluctuations of diarrhoea and constipation, up to 5 bowel movements daily. Average is 2-3 times daily, stools are commonly on the soft and loose side and a darker brown colour.
Fibromyalgia – aches and pains in ankle, tennis elbow, some flare-ups, started around 18 months ago, primary issues are the gastritis and IBS.
Current Diet
Breakfast – banana smoothie with milk and oats
Lunch – soup with sour dough bread and cheese
Afternoon Tea – Fruit
Dinner – Meat and vegetables or meat and salad
Client would on average eat 2 serves of fruit, 2 serves of vegetables, ½ cup muesli, 2-3 serves of milk and dairy and uses olive oil and butter, prepares most of her meals at home and bakes and steams her food with 50% cooked and 50% raw.
Treatment Plan
- Avoid common symptom triggers of IBS (all dairy and gluten) ie milk, cheese, bread, flour, oats etc. for a three month period.
- Minimise pro-inflammatory foods (sugar, refined carbs, trans-fats, excess red meat.
- ncrease anti-inflammatory foods (small oily fish, berries, turmeric, ginger).
- Use of targeted herbal teas such as ginger, turmeric, peppermint
- Stress reduction techniques.
- Switch to non-dairy alternatives – examples provided such as coconut yoghurt.
Prescription
High Strength Fish Oil – inflammation
Glutamine – gut repair
Magnesium – spasms, enzyme reactions
Specific Probiotics – microbiota balance
Custom herbal formula – addressing reflux, inflammation, gastrointestinal health, reducing spasms and GIT protection.
Follow Up
Client reported in for her follow up visit on the four weeks later looking more relaxed, refreshed and a few kilograms lighter. She could not believe how well that she felt and hadn’t felt this good in years. The diet protocol was followed closely along with the lifestyle changes and supplement and herbal routine.
The exclusion of gluten and dairy from the diet enabled the triggers to be removed and the inflamed and damaged GIT time to heal. The supplements and herbal medicine were targeted at gut and mucous repair and balancing the gut microbiota. The client also reported less aches and pains.
Despite the marked improvement, the client reported that, she still did still mildly suffer some gastritis on occasion. Some further diet, herbal and supplementation changes were made with the client coming back a further 4 weeks later, completely symptom free.
***This case and dosages prescribed were specific to the individual and presenting condition, this protocol may not suit everyone with these symptoms. A consultation with a suitably qualified practitioner should be undertaken before commencing any treatment ***