Simple Gut ReSet
What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder and is a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that other conditions such as Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's disease and Coeliac disease have been ruled out.
Up to 15% of people are affected by IBS worldwide (1), with more women being affected than men. Some statistics show that 1 in 5 people in the U.K. has IBS, with up to 6 episodes a year (2). Symptoms such as stomach cramps and pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation are most commonly experienced, and recent studies are showing that anxiety and depression can also be closely linked to IBS (3).
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My 4-Step System:
We know that there is a correlation between our emotions and the way that our gut works. The gut-brain axis is a two-way communication network between the gut (enteric nervous system) and the brain (central nervous system), and studies are showing us that imbalances in our gut microbiome can have a direct impact on our brain health, mood, and behaviour (4).
Disturbances to the microbiome-gut-brain axis are linked to a wide range of health disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD), depression, anxiety, obesity, addictions, and even eating disorders (5).
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A healthy gut is the foundation for overall good health. Microbial imbalances and damage to the gut lining cause systemic health issues, which means that a rash on your face can be directly related to what's going on inside your gut.
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Therefore, it makes sense that for many people with gut imbalances, there's a high likelihood that they are also struggling with other health issues such as mood disorders, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and pains, allergies, food intolerances, autoimmune conditions, brain fog, migraines, hormone imbalances, and/or skin problems.
My 4-Step Gut Re-Set plan uses a functional medicine approach to look at the body as a whole, rather than individual parts or organs in isolation. It looks at underlying causes, rather than just treating the symptoms.
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Simple Gut Re-Set
As IBS is a complex health disorder, I have developed a 4-step plan to try to simplify my strategy to help you find freedom from IBS and to make the steps involved more easily understood. This process can also be beneficial for other health problems which stem from gut imbalances and damage, including autoimmune conditions, hormone imbalances, and mood disorders. I use functional medicine tools and principles, enabling a personalised approach, as what works for one person may not work for another. We are all genetically individual and unique, therefore 'personalised medicine' is the key to success here.
What's most important in our work together, is that we can establish the root cause of your problem, and this can often be multifactorial. My system helps us to identify where the problem/s may lie and works to address and rectify these causes.
A detailed historical health analysis, along with functional testing, allows me to determine what the specific cause or causes might be for you.
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The 4 steps are:
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RESTORE
MAINTAIN
NOURISH
MOVE
RESTORE
MAINTAIN
NOURISH
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Establish the root cause.
Beginning with the gut, we will find your root cause or causes, and establish a protocol that will help to nourish and support you back to wellness.
Nourishing your gut in this way also supports your immunity, hormones, skin,
joint health, and energy levels.
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MOVE
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Getting active is as necessary as a healthy diet. Do it in the best way that suits you. Regular physical exercise is crucial for the success of the plan.
Be careful not to overdo it though, as too much exercise can be overstimulating to the adrenal glands, and can lead to burnout!
RESTORE
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Stress management is crucial for good health.
Explore techniques such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, nature bathing,
and massage to encourage relaxation, rest, and good sleep, further supporting your gut health,
hormone balance, and immunity. Adaptogens and specific nutrients may be helpful here.
MAINTAIN
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By now you will be feeling the benefits, and you will have your own personalised toolkit to keep you on track. Avoid your triggers and maintain your new healthy diet and lifestyle for long-term success. Acknowledge your hard work and celebrate your successes!
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If you fall back to your old ways or less beneficial habits, then just try again,
you will get there eventually.
The key to success is finding a balance between the 4 steps: Nourish, Move, Restore and Maintain.
Once you've experienced the benefits, it's hard to go back!
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** If your symptoms are persisting, we can look at the possibility of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) as being an underlying factor.
SIBO is a condition where there is an accumulation of bacteria in the small intestine. This overgrowth of bacteria, which should normally reside in the large intestine, can interfere with our normal digestion and the absorption of our food and nutrients. These bacteria consume our food and then produce gas within our small intestine. This gas can cause abdominal bloating, pain, constipation, diarrhoea, belching and/or flatulence (6).
The main symptoms of SIBO are the same as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) but can only be detected by the use of a hydrogen breath test.
* Further testing and sessions would incur an additional fee.
