Why is your colon irritated? Why do you deviate from constipation to diarrhea? Why does a stressful event trigger a spastic reaction in your colon? Why do you suffer from lower abdominal pain? Why don’t you have colon regularity and consistency?
Please don’t accept the ridiculous idea that you need a drug to block the symptoms of an unhealthy colon. Listen to your body. It is trying to tell you that there has been a change with one or more aspects of your normal gastro-intestinal balance. IBS or spastic colon is a diagnosis of exclusion. I.B.S. is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any detectable organic cause.
In working with a Functional Medicine, Certified Clinical Nutritionist to address I.B.S. first, we try to find out what is causing the irritation and remove or resolve it. For example: Is there a food sensitivity an immune imbalance or a functional thyroid shift? Is there an overgrowth of fungus or bacteria in the small intestine where they don’t belong (S.I.B.O.)? Second, the function of the communication between the brain and digestive system need to be improved to be more stable. Dr. Shaw specializes in working with the functional changes in your colon chemistry to correct the cause of the symptoms and remove the disorder.
When working with a Functional Medicine, Clinical Nutritionist you will hear the word “functional” quite a bit. What we are referring to is that not all problems show up in your blood work or on a colonoscopy, and there may be a more subtle change in your system that is not bad enough to raise the red flags for your medical doctor. The symptoms in your colon are a perfect example.
Most patients who treat in my office for I.B.S. have already worked with their medical doctor and have used a myriad of medicines to control the symptoms but did not like the side effects, or just didn’t get any better. Many others have a diagnosis but are concerned about the long term risks involved with medicating and are hoping to find an alternative route. Are there people who need medication for their I.B.S. symptoms? I have been in practice since 1998 and can honestly say I only remember a few unresolved cases of I.B.S. with compliance to an individualized, properly outlined Functional Medicine, Clinical Nutrition protocol.
It is important to note that when your medical history and health related goals are explored, your consultations are held directly with Dr. Shaw, not an untrained individual, a staff member, a questionnaire or a computer program. You will not be signing up for a “program” and paying money up front for services not yet rendered. Your health care journey in our office is unique to your specific needs.— Dr. Conan Shaw Functional Medicine, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Pittsburgh PA