Gut Health

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal disorder seen in general practice, representing over 30% of all referrals to gastroenterologists. Although IBS is often a diagnosis of exclusion, clinical judgment must be used to determine the extent of the diagnostic process required. A detailed case history and physical examination are invaluable when diagnosing IBS. The definition of IBS is a functional disorder of the large intestine with no evidence of accompanying structural defect. Distention, relief of pain with bowel movements, and the onset of loose or more frequent bowel movements with pain seem to correlate best with the diagnosis of IBS.

SIBO is a commonly overlooked contributing factor in several health disorders. Many studies, for example, have demonstrated the presence of SIBO in patients with IBS. In one study, in which 84% of patients with IBS tested positive for SIBO, successful eradication of SIBO led to a 75% improvement compared to only an 11% improvement in participants receiving a placebo (Piz & Murray)

Speak to any experienced health practitioner in practice today, and they will attest to the seemingly ever-increasing prevalence of food allergies and intolerances over the last 20 years, especially in children. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has documented an 18% increase in the incidence of fully blown IgE food allergies in children from 1997 to 2007, and it has been estimated to now be closer to a 50% increase in the last ten years. These estimates do not include the increase in IgA and IgG-mediated food sensitivities that have been shown to precede the development of the far rarer IgE kind, often when left undetected without treatment.