BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Stomach Issues "The Dr.s" on CBS Give Advice For IBS

I happened to catch "The Dr.s" this morning, and was stunned by the advice they gave to a woman who had her gallbladder removed after she had her baby, and had been troubled by chronic diarrhea with intermittent constipation.

Not only did a gastroneurologist 1)diagnose her with IBS, he 2)never even mentioned gastric dumping syndrome, but 3)recommended that she take antibiotics for the IBS "just in case" there were flora disturbances. Antibiotics are the worst thing you can do to your colon and immune system, particularly if there is no sound evidence of an infection, and no starting up on probiotics were mentioned as a follow-up. At least he advised her on the emotional causes of IBS, which would have been steering her in the right direction if she actually had IBS...He also never asked her how much water she drank daily. Dehydration can cause constipation, even in those with gastric dumping syndrome.

This is the very reason why I have stopped taking my medical issues to conventional doctors, going instead to holistic practitioners. Even the GI "experts" have little or no training in actual GI tract health.

If you have been diagnosed with IBS and your doctor's treatments are not helping or are making things worse, please share your stories here!

Shay

I agree with you, many problems are solved only when going to alternative medicine. I found that Homeopathy and Shiatsu treatments help my digestion best.

Just curious, What do you define as holistic practitioners?




My favourite constipation cures

EGADS! This is so sad. I definitely believe the medical profession has it's place, and I'm very grateful for my own doctor, we really do have to do our own research too. I've been trying to get my doctor to give me a food allergy test. She told me if I had food allergies I'd have hives :P Mmmm...

Hi Peach,

I'm pleased to know that you are finding relief with holistic medicine. What types of treatments are you finding helpful with homeopathy? And can you share a little bit about Shiatsu? It sounds familiar, but I'm not sure what it is, exactly. I'd love to know more about it.

I consider "holistic" to be any type of medicine that involves mind, body, spirit; and uses herbs, emotional work and bodywork for treatment. Adversely, conventional medicine relies upon procedures and manufactured chemicals to mask the root problem.

I clicked on your link, and it is right in line with what I believe in. Most gut disturbances are emotional and/or diet related, yet are mostly untapped in conventional medicine. Dr. Oz once talked about the body utilizing food as medicine. I wish all conventional doctors would steer more in this direction!

Shay

It's awesome that you have a good working relationship with your doctor, Deanna!

Food allergies are funny things. Some people test positive for allergies, yet have no symptoms when they eat the food. It's important to understand the distinction between food allergies and food sensitivities too, though.

When you hear the word "allergy" this indicates symptoms that you may associate with pollen, dust, and bee sting allergies. You get the cold like symptoms or hives.

Food sensitivities are a whole different ball of wax. They can cause any number of GI tract problems. Wheat is usually the most common culprit, but everyone is different. A naturopath can guide you through the process. Medical doctors, unfortunately don't have training in this area.

Here is a link to my article on the Elimination Diet. It has a very good link inside of it on food sensitivities, too.
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