My major health concern is that
I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) problem. I was looking for ways
to solve and through online searching, I found Hiro Koo, a Clinical Hypnotherapist in SOL healthcare centre. I had been through a lot of treatments and therapies
outside, both Chinese and Western but there is still no help to my
problem until I found SOL.
In confidence, Hiro Koo
explained to me about my current health condition in a very detailed
manner and the solution to it – Neuro-hypnotherapy. He taught me the way
to self-hypnosis and it really works. Now, my IBS problem has improved and finally I gain my life back. IBS has caused problems to
my normal life and working performance and through neuro-hypnotherapy with Hiro Koo, I am better now.
Apart from that, combining with
the nutritional consultation with the naturopath, I learn to eat
healthily and nutritionally. I’m really satisfied with the result
and would definitely recommend my friends and family members and
those who need natural therapies to visit SOL.
- Testimonial by Mr. Jeff Liau
What is IBS?
IBS is best understood as a long-term or recurrent disorder of gastrointestinal (GI) functioning. It usually involves the large intestine (colon) and small intestine with disturbances of intestinal/bowel (gut) motor function (motility) and sensation. These gut related activities are regulated by the brain. This may also be impaired, which is why IBS is often called a brain-gut disorder. These disturbances can produce symptoms of abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating or a sense of gaseousness, and a change in bowel habits (diarrhea and/or constipation).
The typical features of IBS are generally recognizable by a doctor. The most important first step in treating and managing symptoms is to see your doctor for a confident diagnosis of IBS.
Symptoms Cluster in IBS
A number of symptoms that occur together characterize irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This may confuse you at first. Plus, symptoms will likely change over time. The changes may seem random. But there is a pattern to symptoms of IBS.
►The key sign or symptom of IBS is pain or discomfort in the abdomen. The abdomen is the area below your chest and above your hips.
►The other symptoms of IBS relate to your bowel habit. You’ll notice a change in frequency or consistency of stool (diarrhea or constipation). These changes link to the pain.
►The symptoms occur over a long term and come and go over time.
Some or all of IBS symptoms can occur at the same time. Some symptoms may be worse than others.
Abdominal pain is often described as crampy, or as a generalized ache with periods of cramps. Sharp, dull, gas-like, or modest pains are common. The IBS discomfort or pain usually feels better after a bowel movement.
Symptom Patterns Add Up To IBS
Certain signs and symptoms occur with IBS. Symptom-based criteria for IBS emphasize a positive diagnosis rather than extensive tests to rule out all other diseases. No tests confirm the diagnosis of IBS.
A detailed history, physical examination, and limited diagnostic tests help confirm the IBS diagnosis. More extensive testing is reserved for specific situations.
Other Symptoms May Accompany IBS
Persons treated for IBS commonly report upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. About 25% to 50% report...
- Heartburn
- Early feeling of fullness (satiety)
- Nausea
- Abdominal fullness
- Bloating
Other GI symptoms also reported include...
- Intermittent upper abdominal discomfort or pain (dyspepsia)
- Feelings of urgency (the need to find a restroom fast)
- Feeling of "incomplete" bowel emptying
Non-GI symptoms also occur. Sometimes, but not always, this may be due to an overlap of IBS with another condition. These symptoms include...
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Sleep disturbances
- Sexual dysfunction
Other symptoms tend to occur with more severe IBS such as...
Symptoms sometimes seem contradictory, such as alternating diarrhea and constipation. It may help to keep a Symptom Diary so your doctor can see how your symptoms change over time and in relation to diet, stress, and other factors.
Abnormal functioning of the nerves and muscles of the bowel produce the symptoms of IBS. A "dysregulation" between the brain, the gut, and the central nervous system causes the bowel to become "irritated," or overly sensitive to stimuli. Symptoms may occur even in response to normal events.
Mind: Hypnosis and The Power of Your Subconscious Mind
Hypnosis works by bypassing the critical filter of our mind to help the conscious mind directly access and suggest to the subconscious mind. Research has found that hypnotherapy may help improve the primary symptoms of IBS. It may also help relieve other symptoms suffered by many people with IBS such as nausea, fatigue, backache, and urinary problems. Hypnotherapy appears to offer symptomatic, psychological, and physiological benefit. Hypnotherapy is considered as a promising intervention for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4015203/) provides clearer evidence that hypnotherapy is an effective treatment in improving gastrointestinal symptoms of patients with IBS.
* We use the Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy to deal with IBS symptoms in Malaysia.
Brain: EEG biofeedback to deal with underlying issues
The causes of anxiety and stress-related disorders such as IBS seem to be a complex interplay of predisposing heredity factors, childhood circumstances, hormonal imbalances and life-events. These disorders often involve an over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Because these disorders involve the activation of our most basic survival responses, often called "fight or flight" response it will always remain difficult to dampen that response. EEG biofeedback works to decrease psychophysiological reactivity and to improve recovery (by teaching the patient to activate the opposing parasympathetic system).
Body: Nutritional therapy for irritable bowel syndrome.
If you have IBS, you will know that a single meal choice can completely ruin your day by inducing painful abdominal pains or inconvenient bowel problems. A nutrition professional understands this relationship between food and mood. They can keep the symptoms of IBS at bay by applying their expert knowledge to your dietary habits. A nutrition professional can carry out a full nutrition assessment to establish possible dietary and lifestyle causes. This assessment will be used to devise an appropriate therapeutic diet and will be monitored to ensure that it is effective.
* Our nutritional therapist is the President of Naturopathic Medical Association Malaysia which is recognized by the Ministry of Health in Malaysia.
Source:
http://www.aboutibs.org/site/treatment/complementary-or-alternative-treatments/hypnosis
http://www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk/articles/irritable-bowel-syndrome.html
