WHEN A THERAPEUTIC DIET MIGHT BE NECESSARY Therapeutic diets have been used for decades to manage various health conditions, especially gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Although therapeutic diets can be beneficial for many patients, they must be used judiciously to avoid the risk of disordered eating, particularly in children. As a naturopathic doctor specializing in gastroenterology, I recognize the importance of using therapeutic diets for short periods of time to reduce symptoms and then gradually expanding the diet as symptoms improve. One important
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT IBD Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition that affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Here are five important things you should know about IBD: IBD affects millions of people worldwide: IBD is a global health issue, with an estimated 3 million people affected in the United States alone. The condition is found in people of all ages, although it is most commonly diagnosed in young adults between the ages of 15 and 35. (SOURCE) There are two
Many people seek the help of a naturopathic doctor with a specialty in gastroenterology after being diagnosed with IBS by their Gastroenterologist. Tired of merely managing IBS symptoms, patients want to get to the bottom of their diagnosis, and find that GI doctors are limited in the care they are able to give. Naturopathic medicine offers solutions beyond a chronic diagnosis and helps alleviate and/ or eliminate the underlying causes of an illness. The diagnostic criteria for Irritable
It’s a special time of year, a time for reconnecting to ourselves. As 2022 winds to a close, we might be reflective of the fact that we have been through a once in a generation experience. Many of us are thinking and hoping that 2023 will finally be the year we will get back to “normal.” I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, they are hard to stick to. Instead, setting life goals and intentions that can actually be obtained are
For those who have chronic bowel discomfort and have not been able to alleviate symptoms long term on their own, it can be tempting to take to the internet for answers. You may be wondering if you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). Often times rather than narrowing down information to achieve diagnosis, independent investigation adds a level of complexity to the issues at hand. It can be hard deciphering the nuances of the symptoms on your
It’s time to get real. When was the last time you had a bowel movement? And the last time you had a bowel movement did you check it out? I mean really check it out? People rarely take time out of their day to think about poop. But they should. It’s an important part of daily life. A lot of people are constipated and don’t even know it. Constipation occurs when there is lack of ease or discomfort in eliminating the bowels,