Are YOU suffering with irritable bowel syndrome?

By: Dr. Michael Morsillo, B.Sc., N.D.

Do you ever dread having meals for fear you will end up with a lot of bloating, pressure, gas or discomfort afterwards?  Have you started to notice that your digestion is not working as well as it once did, and now it’s affecting your bowel movements?   These may all be possible signs that you are affected by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).  Since it is estimated that about 13% of Canadians are suffering with IBS, you are definitely not alone.

The bad news is – these are very common symptoms that can affect your quality of life for many years. The good news is – there are effective natural solutions for irritable bowel syndrome, so you don’t have to put up with these symptoms anymore.

IBS is unlike most other medical conditions, because there is no reliable test that is used to diagnose it.  Therefore, the diagnosis of IBS is based solely on symptoms.  Since the development of IBS has not been firmly established, there are not many medications that have been successful for this condition.

Contact your medical or naturopathic doctor if you have any of the following symptoms and you would like to find out if IBS is affecting you:

  • Gas
  • Belching
  • Bloating
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation

For those with IBS-related symptoms that come to our Naturopathic clinic, we will always start by analyzing their diet.  Often times, there may be specific foods or combinations of foods that are contributing to the symptoms of IBS. 

In addition to making dietary changes to optimize digestive health and minimize IBS symptoms, we will often perform blood tests to uncover Food Sensitivities.  Food Sensitivity testing allows us to identify foods that are affecting your health or causing your symptoms, which we would not be able to detect otherwise.  When these foods are removed from your diet, symptoms will then improve. 

One of the mechanisms by which IBS is thought to develop is through an imbalance in the intestinal microbes (mostly bacteria).  There are certain types of bacteria that can become too numerous and will therefore have a greater ability to trigger IBS symptoms.  For some, IBS symptoms may have commenced after having an acute intestinal infection (ie. “stomach flu”).  As such, probiotics can offer a lot of benefit for IBS symptoms.  It should be noted that not all probiotics are the same, so some probiotics will be more/less effective than others in addressing IBS.

At our Newmarket Naturopathic clinic, to evaluate whether bacteria, fungi, or parasites might be causing your IBS symptoms, we will often perform a Comprehensive Stool Analysis.  This will allow us to see if your condition is resulting from an accumulation of harmful microbes, which can then be targeted using natural medicines.  When an abundance of harmful bacteria builds up in the small intestine, this is known as Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).  Symptoms of SIBO will often times be very similar to IBS; however, SIBO can be identified using a simple breath test.  If SIBO is detected, natural therapies can then be used to restore this bacterial balance.

Dr. Michael Morsillo is a naturopathic doctor who is passionate about helping others achieve their optimal level of health.  Michael maintains a clinical practice in Newmarket, where he focuses on cancer, anxiety, depression, thyroid and hormone disorders, detoxification, and weight loss. 

For more information or to schedule an appointment:

Call 905-898-1844 (ext. 135) or email dr.morsillo@gmail.com