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Happy April and welcome to spring!

This newsletter is all about the GUT since it's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) awareness month!

In this newsletter:

• What is IBS and how do you know if you have it?
• The #1 mistake I made regarding my own IBS
• Reminder about my FREE digestive health online support group
• April promotion!

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In case you didn't know...

My own journey with IBS is the reason I became a naturopathic doctor. After tolerating symptoms of IBS like chronic diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain for more than 15 years, I found out (kind of by accident) I had underlying treatable conditions including severe intestinal yeast overgrowth and an intestinal parasite infection. Once these issues were treated, my "IBS" resolved and I became passionate about helping people find and treat the root cause of health problems that are commonly passed off as "normal."

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What is IBS and how do you know if you have it?

It is estimated that 18% of the Canadian population has IBS.

But what does this mean and how is this diagnosis made?

The official diagnostic criteria for IBS were developed by a group known as the Rome Foundation. Their criteria for IBS were first published in 2006 and were revised in 2016. The latest criteria state:

A person might have IBS if they have had abdominal pain at least 1 day per week (on average) for the last 3 months, associated with 2-3 of the following:

• Related to defecation
• Associated with a change in frequency of stool
• Associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool

Symptoms also need to have originally started at least 6 months prior.

In other words, if even once per week for at least 3 months you have a stomach ache associated with a bowel movement and if your bowel movements fluctuate in frequency or appearance, and if your digestive symptoms first started 6 months earlier, you would fit the diagnostic criteria for IBS.

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The problem with "IBS"

Many (if not all) people diagnosed with IBS have other underlying issues that can probably be addressed to improve their digestive symptoms. Some of the common underlying causes of "IBS" are:

• Celiac disease
• Fructose malabsorption
• Food sensitivities
• Yeast overgrowth (aka Candida)
• Parasite infection
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Anxiety and nervous system disorders
• Thyroid imbalance

... and so many more.

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The #1 mistake I made regarding my own IBS

If I could do life over again, I would have gone to see a naturopathic doctor or functional medical doctor right when I first developed symptoms. My biggest mistake was just accepting my IBS diagnosis and putting up with my chronic symptoms. I could have figured out the cause of my symptoms much earlier and saved myself 15 years of painful and embarrassing digestive symptoms that affected my social life and greatly impacted my self-esteem as a teen girl.

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How I help people with "IBS":

Even though it's not possible to go back in time and help little Erica with her gut, I am so happy I get to help YOU instead!

Assessing the cause of IBS symptoms is often as easy as taking a careful history but sometimes lab testing is necessary. Some of the lab tests I frequently use to find the underlying cause of "IBS" include:

• ​Comprehensive stool analysis (Doctors Data)
• ​SIBO testing (SIBO Canada)
• Celiac testing (through Valley Medical Lab) or through Doctors Data​
• ​Food Sensitivity testing through US Biotek

... and several more.

Usually a history and one or two lab tests will be all we need to do to crack the case and figure out the cause of your digestive symptoms.

If ongoing digestive symptoms are part of your everyday life, please be kind to yourself and schedule an appointment so we can find and treat the cause. Most people really do not have to go through life just "putting up with" their chronic digestive symptoms. You deserve to have a calm and comfortable gut!

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April Promotion

Don't wait until November to use your 2023 benefits! If you are an existing patient, I'm giving you $20 OFF a follow-up appointment of 45-60 minutes if scheduled for any date in April. Simply mention "April Promo" in the note when booking the appointment or mention this newsletter during the appointment to get the discount. Spring is a great time for a health checkup or a reset!

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Please Review Me!

As a reminder, I could really use your help! Please take a minute to leave me an online review. These help improve my online visibility so I can help even more people! It’s quick and easy to leave a 5-star review on Google and Rate MD. For those who choose to leave me a review, and to those who already have, I am so grateful for your support!

You can now follow me on TikTok and enjoy my silly and educational videos!

That's all for this month! Wishing you vibrant and renewed health this April!

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Until next month!

Dr. Erica Volk

Your Friendly Naturopathic Doctor

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www.okanagannaturopath.com

hello@drericavolk.com

Tel: 778.760.3400 Fax: 844.991.3601

428-665 Cook Road | Kelowna, BC | V1W 4T4

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