IBS Treatment London
In our IBS treatment London at our Guardian featured Clinic, we address the underlying issues and not just the symptoms. We attain a very high rate of clinical success according to our own outcomes.
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
IBS is one of the most common gastro-intestinal disorder reported to GPs. In fact, up to 50% of GP referrals to gastroenterologists are for IBS. There is clinical evidence that stress is a major factor in this unpleasant complaint and there are often underlying problems in the digestive tract too.
Most of the patients seen at Harley Street IBS Clinic have had problems with their digestive system for many years. They have usually done the rounds of GPs and gastroenterologists, been given only temporary relief with symptomatic treatment, yet their problems still persist. Many patients have been told that they must live with it. Our approach to IBS treatment is to identify the underlying problem, which is fuelling the IBS, and address it. Patients have functional medical tests to help with the diagnosis of the underlying problems. This approach, along with a treatment plan based on the test results and any necessary dietary modification, is usually very effective for the treatment of IBS, attaining a very high rate of clinical success according to our own outcomes.
A 26 year old male presenting with severe abdominal pain, 6-10+ bowel movements daily, faecal incontinence, acid reflux, bloating, excess gas and 4st overweight:
“I was being treated within the NHS by my GP and then at a local hospital for well over a year but it wasn’t helping me at all. The NHS diagnosed me with chronic IBS, which is an “umbrella” term they give to patients, which sounds better than actually admitting they didn’t have a clue what was wrong or why I was in so much pain. The NHS failed me by not finding what was wrong, what caused the pain in the first place, and they gave me no advice whatsoever on how to control my pain, other than the use of NHS drugs. After being diagnosed with chronic IBS, they simply discharged me and left me on a multitude of antibiotics and strong painkillers that made my stomach worse, and other medication that did not help, which I would probably require for the rest of my life. They simply said, “There is nothing more we can do”.
The day I left the Consultants office, I had no hope of ever being able to live a normal life. I was 25 and a non-smoker, and I did not drink alcohol at all. I was in a relationship that was breaking down because of my bad moods and depression and I had low self-esteem, caused by the constant pain. At this point I was desperate. I was off sick from work for months during and was about to lose my job because I was unable to control my bowel movements. I would have a bowel movement up to 10 times a day, sometimes even more.
I would leave home in the morning to go to work and have to return home before even arriving at work because I was in so much pain or soiled. I had to take spare clothes and washing kit to work or leave work halfway through the day due to being in so much pain.The pain was beyond anything I have ever experienced and no one could tell me why or help. I was living an absolute nightmare. I was collapsing frequently due to excruciating pain so my parents said I should try to find an IBS specialist.
When I met Deborah, I was suffering with unbearable abdominal pain all day, every day, no matter what I ate, and even if I didn’t eat. And it did get to the point where I was afraid to eat. I was in agony and had no quality of life whatsoever. That all changed when I started treatment with Deborah. Even at my very first visit, she gave me a detailed breakdown of her suspicions as to what she believed was causing my pain. She advised me to have tests done to confirm this. She gave me hope she would be able to devise a treatment plan which would help reduce my pain and allow me to regain some control of my life. From tests carried out, Deborah’s suspicions were confirmed. I adopted the treatment plan and was given detailed information as to what foods I should be eating, and importantly what foods to avoid.
Once I started following her guidance, it was clear to me things were starting to change. It took about a month for the chronic pain to begin to ease off, and as the months went by, not only was I not in so much pain, my bowel movements were decreasing and I was starting to believe one day I would be better. Approximately 1 year on, I am able to work full-time again.
Since the start of treatment, I have lost approximately four stone in weight, just by eating the food I was advised to, without any exercise at all. Deborah said she could help me, if I followed her advice exactly. She could see how serious my condition was and how depressed I was about my situation, and she kept to her word. I am astounded everyday, when I think of where I was in my life just over a year ago, and how depressed I was at that time.
Today I can now train in the gym four times a week, I am still with my wonderful girlfriend expecting our first child later this year, and I have become such a fitter happier person. Deborah has not only given me back my life, but she has given me the tools to be able to take care of myself for the rest of my life. I am forever grateful, thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Daniel – London
What are the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS?
Patients may suffer recurrent abdominal pain, abdominal spasms, excessive gas, allergies and severe bloating with diarrhoea and/or constipation. Symptoms may include pain low down on the left and/or right of the abdomen. There is often discomfort just below the stomach. There are usually loud bowel sounds, which can be embarrassing. Patients may also experience nausea and/or acid reflux. There is usually quite a dip in energy as well, with patients feeling tired most of the time. Their sleep may also be poor.
What can be done?
Depending on the results of the diagnostic functional medical tests, a personalised prescription of non pharmaceutical medicine and prescription health supplements is formulated and dispensed to meet each patient’s unique needs for IBS treatment. Every patient’s experience of IBS is different so a prescription tailored to each patient’s unique needs works far better than a one-size-fits-all approach.
As mentioned earlier, stress is highly significant in the exacerbation of IBS. It is therefore important to adjust lifestyle to allow for relaxation and to support the nervous system and adrenal function along with the treatment for IBS. Patients usually express surprise at how effective our treatment for IBS is. This is an inflammatory condition so it is very important to identify and address the source of the inflammation rather than merely mask the symptoms.
On average, it takes around 6-8 weeks of treatment for IBS to start noticing an improvement. IBS treatment continues until the patient is symptom free and the underlying issue resolved. Diet is usually an important part of the IBS treatment and dietary guidance is available by appointment, if needed, from our leading London IBS Nutritionist to support the treatment and help recovery.
We also address any allergies you may have.
If you feel that chronic stress makes your symptoms worse, we can treat that too.
References
Irritable bowel syndrome: the evolution of multi-dimensional looking and multidisciplinary treatments. World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Mar 14;20(10):2499-514. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i10.2499.PMID: 24627587 Free PMC article. Review.
Irritable bowel syndrome – The role of complementary medicines in treatment. Aust Fam Physician. 2009 Dec;38(12):966-8.PMID: 20369148
If you feel you could benefit from this approach to IBS treatment
Contact Deborah’s Medical Secretary for an appointment