The Nutritional Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects roughly 10-15% of the population. However, only about half of the people who have it are actually diagnosed with this condition characterized by constipation, diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain.
Unfortunately, those that are diagnosed are typically given some sort of medication that only treats the symptoms. That's where functional medicine is different as its goal is to identify the underlying issue. This allows for treatment at the source, helping the body to begin naturally healing itself. Duquette Functional Medicine and Preventative Health, while serving , has had a lot of success in helping patients with IBS.
A functional medicine approach is particularly effective for this common problem, as research from the University of Wisconsin has defined IBS as "a multi-factorial disorder that can have emotional, physical and nutritional influences." In other words, your body is highly interconnected and sometimes you have to address many factors to effectively deal with illness or disease as a whole.
Based on numerous studies in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, some non-medication-based treatments for IBS include engaging in regular exercise, eliminating foods that cause digestive distress, and adding probiotics to the diet.
The key is to figure out what works for you, and that's what Duquette Functional Medicine and Preventative Health is here to do. Give our practice a call today to see how we can help. Our number is (309) 222-8806.
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