If you’re among the one in five Americans that suffers from Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) you know that living a normal life can be quite a challenge.

Something as simple as getting ready to leave for work or a trip can become a multi-hour ritual centered around your bowels. The fatigue and depression of struggling with IBS can be exhausting.

You may have found that getting help for IBS is almost as frustrating as having IBS. Lots of advice is given, but much of it does not seem to help. Let’s look at some of the myths and facts surrounding IBS.

Myth?  Eat more fiber. You may have heard this from your physician. Eat more fiber. Does it work? Not if you are fiber intolerant. All that extra fiber can bind you up like concrete if you’re fiber intolerant. For many sufferers of IBS additional fiber only creates more constipation or more diarrhea.

Myth? Drink more water.  You may have heard this too. Frequently all this seems to do is create even more bathroom stops, which you are already doing if you have IBS.

Myth? Take Probiotics. The primary role of probiotics is to control overgrowth of harmful bacteria, fungi and yeast, not digest food. Probiotics or friendly bacteria may only help digest some sugars.

Fact! Food Intolerances create IBS. Food intolerances occur when your body does not make enough of the enzymes it needs to digest the food you are eating. For example, when you are lactose intolerant, your body does not make enough of the enzyme lactase to digest milk sugar (lactose) and as a result you may suffer from bloating, gas and diarrhea. Patients with IBS frequently exhibit intolerances to a variety of different foods.

Fact! Compromised digestion of the basic food blocks creates IBS. Any failure in your ability to digest protein, fat, carbohydrates, or fiber will result in IBS. Your symptoms may vary depending on which food group or combination of food groups you cannot digest. Hence irritable bowel may manifest as constipation or diarrhea, or it may alternate between the two.

Fact! Food allergies and sensitivities are increasing and play a growing role in IBS.  As more processed and genetically altered foods are being introduced into our diets, food sensitivities and intolerances are increasing.

Get Results for IBS

Your doctor may not have the advice that’s going to solve your IBS. If you’ve seen your doctor and have been told there’s nothing more that can be done, don’t believe him or her--it only means that your doctor does not know how to fix your problem.

Over the last 11 years the Digestion Relief Center has helped hundreds of patients heal from irritable bowel syndrome and live normal lives again. You too can be one of them.

In our clinic, we test you to find out what is causing your IBS.  We evaluate what foods you digest, and which foods you don’t. We also test for food intolerances and sensitivities.  Our testing reveals the root cause of your IBS.

Once we have determined the cause of your bowel symptoms, we can effectively bring your body back in balance by modifying your diet, and enhancing your digestion. Our approach can also desensitize you to foods that produce allergy-like reactions, so you can once again eat foods that you have had to avoid.

If traditional medical approaches to IBS are not working for you, you owe it to yourself to find out how you can have your life back again. Live life free of the pain and embarrassment of IBS.  Call Dr. Patrick’s office today at 530-899-8741 to schedule a consultation.

2010, © Dr. Patrick Giammarise, DC

Original Publication Date: October 28, 2010.  Chico Enterprise Record 'Health Beat'