The
proportion of
Australians
who will
experience
irritable bowel
syndrome20%
problems,
solutions
Three
three
PHOTOGRAPHED BY GETTY IMAGES. DR GINNI MANSBERG (DRGINNI.COM.AU); REBECCA WARREN (REBECCAWARREN.COM.AU); EMMA QUINE (EMMAQUINE.COM)PROBLEM #1From traditional to
a fix for every healt
asked three experts
naturopath Rebecc
Emma Quine – to
THE GP SAYS
“Constipation isn’t just
defined as no bowel
movements for 10 days.
It’s consistency: if your
poo looks like little pellets
instead of a sausage, that’s
constipation. This can often
be solved by increasing your
fluid intake and overhauling
your diet to include more
fruit and vegies. That said,
diarrhoea is the one to
watch. If you have diarrhoea
for more than three days,
you’ll need to see your GP,
who will check for bugs.
Then, an elimination diet
is on the menu, with a
possible colonoscopy to find
what’s causing the problem.
While an illness such as
irritable bowel syndrome
[with bloating, diarrhoea,
constipation, or pain that’s
relieved by passing wind or
faeces] is common, there’s
no quick test to diagnose it.”THE NATUROPATH SAYS
“If you’re suffering from constipation, the culprit could be poor
fibre or fluid intake. However, it’s sometimes related to inadequate
liver function. For instance, if your body is not producing enough
bile or storing it improperly, you don’t get that slippery, sausage-
like consistency. Diarrhoea is more serious and can be a result of
a parasite or gut infection, which should be thoroughly investigated.
We could potentially restore the good bacteria that may have
been undermined in the bowel with a probiotic, then maintain
the balance with a prebiotic-rich diet or supplement (food for
good bacteria). With gut conditions, we know the gut and the
mind are closely connected, so I would look into stress and
anxiety avoidance techniques, too.”THE ACUPUNCTURIST SAYS
“Tummy upsets are a sign that there’s a blockage of Qi (life energy
flow) and while acupuncture can help the flow more freely, you
could reduce stomach pain by avoiding too much cold or raw food
(the spleen and stomach prefer a warmer environment). Prepare
more warm, slow-cooked foods that don’t impede digestion.”GUT TROUBLE
218 marieclaire.com.auWellness