What is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal disorder with around one in five people* experiencing the unpleasant symptoms of IBS at some time in their lives.

Other terms for irritable bowel syndrome include ‘spastic colon’ and ‘irritable colon’. It seems that people with IBS have sensitive bowels that are easily ‘upset’. Approximately 60-65% of individuals who report IBS symptoms are women, while 30-35% are male. ** Symptoms can develop at any age but tend to first occur in early adulthood.

Given its prevalence, IBS is surprisingly misunderstood among the general public – and even healthcare practitioners, with traditional medicine offering little by way of effective treatment. But we now understand an imbalance in your microbiome is the major cause of IBS.

Bifidobacterium. A good probiotic bacteria.

The gastro system

Digestive System

The digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal tract which is a series of organs that all work together to help digest the food and liquid you consume. Once digested, our bodies absorb the vital nutrients that we need and excrete waste materials that are indigestable.

Microbiome

Your ‘gut microbiome’ is made up of the trillions of micro-organisms - mainly bacteria - that live in your gut. It’s complex and plays an important role in the digestion process and your general health.

An imbalance of bacteria living in your gut is called ‘gut dysbiosis’ and can cause IBS symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, low mood, brain fog and many other issues. These bacteria produce toxins that inhibit proper digestion of food, irritate the gut nervous system and disrupt normal bowel movements. They can even cause sweet food cravings, weight gain and skin rashes.

If we rebalance the microbiome by replacing the bad bacteria with good healthy bacteria, the symptoms of IBS can be significantly improved.

A healthy balance of good bacteria called probiotics makes a multitude of nutrients that improve digestion of food, calm the gut nervous system and restore normal bowel movements. They can also reduce sweet food cravings, control body weight, improve mood and concentration, clear the skin and boost energy.

The IBS Doctor program can take you through the necessary steps to rebalance your gut microbiome and reclaim your life.

* Source. Vic government. /www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
** Source. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (US) – 2016