Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Naturopathic Doctors in Toronto, ON

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is considered a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that all of the standard gastrointestinal tests such as a colonoscopy or abdominal ultrasound are normal but the patient is still experiencing an ongoing mix of some or all of the following symptoms:

Constipation
Diarrhea
Stomach Pain
Gas & Bloating

Conventional medical treatment for IBS is often limited to the low FODMAPS diet, psyllium fibre and stress relief. Naturopathic Medicine provides effective treatment for IBS because the focus is on fixing the functional issues that are causing gastrointestinal symptoms.

The Naturopathic Medicine Approach to IBS Treatment

IBS symptoms, in naturopathic medicine are seen as a functional breakdown in your digestive system. As a result, we do a thorough review of your medical history and may recommend specialized lab testing aimed at assessing and fixing the root cause of your gut dysfunction. Functional breakdowns include the following:

IgG antibody reactions to certain foods that then irritate the digestive tract
Bacterial overgrowths in the small intestine causing hydrogen, methane or hydrogen sulphide gas production and affecting motility
Bacterial or yeast overgrowths in the large intestine
Insufficient beneficial bacteria in the small intestine
Insufficient enzyme secretion from the pancreas to breakdown food in the small intestine
Insufficient stomach acid secretion in the stomach, impairing food breakdown

Some of the specialized lab tests we commonly run to assess your gut function may include the following:

Lactulose breath test panels to identify bacterial overgrowths in the small intestine
Comprehensive Stool Analysis panels to identify bacteria & yeast overgrowths, assess beneficial bacteria levels, enzyme secretion and macronutrient malabsorption issues.
IgG Food Sensitivity blood test panels to identify antibody reactions to different foods

Following a comprehensive assessment, Naturopathic treatment for addressing IBS includes a mix of dietary changes, nutritional medicine and herbal medicine therapies designed to get correct the dysfunction and get your gut working better.

Gut Repair is What We do.

Book your appointment with Dr. Andresen and discover how naturopathic medicine can effectively treat your digestive concerns like IBS.

Serving across Etobicoke, Spadina Avenue, the Annex, Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Oakville, Burlington, Rosedale, Riverdale, Forest Hill, Leslieville, Liberty Village, Wallace Emerson, Bloor West Village, The Beaches, Parkdale, Kensington Market, Koreatown, Birch Cliff, Summerhill, and the surrounding areas.