Digestion Problems

 Using state-of-the-art stool testing for investigation, Jan uses her "health detective" skills to discover the true cause of her client's digestion problems and then addresses that cause to gain the best possible improvement in health and reduction of symptoms. Many times patients are told they have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which is an umbrella term for "Not sure what is causing your symptoms". Having experienced IBS herself, Jan made it her mission to really get to the root cause of IBS and then with a combination of supplements and diet, sort out the problem once and for all.
 
The best way to test for your overall gastrointestinal function is with a diet especially created for people with digestive problems along with a specialised stool test to identify microbiota including anaerobes, which are your “good bacteria” and a previously immeasurable area of the gut environment – in addition to pathogenic “bad bugs” such as parasites, bacteria and yeast/fungi.  

Why use a stool analysis test?
Gastrointestinal function is important for general health. The intestinal tract contains significant amounts of bacteria; some beneficial, some neutral, and some harmful. Balancing beneficial microbial flora in the gut is key to proper digestion, efficient nutrient usage, and ridding the body of waste and pathogens. Poor digestion and malabsorption can lead to immune dysfunction, nutritional insufficiencies, mental/emotional disorders, and autoimmune diseases.

The stool testing used is PCR-based for the most accurate look at the gut environment and overall function. Jan may suggest one of the following tests:

• GI Effects Comprehensive Stool test - the Rolls Royce of stool tests and the most expensive
• Bioscreen - to check for gut infections and undergrowth of essential bacteria
• SmartGUT - which shows the balance of the various strains of bacteria in your gut
• PCR Multiplex - to test for the presence of parasites or pathogenic bacteria

“PCR is the best developed and most widely used nucleic acid amplification strategy… These techniques have sensitivity unparalleled in laboratory medicine, have created new opportunities for the clinical laboratory to have an effect on patient care and have become the new “gold standards” for laboratory diagnosis of several infectious diseases.” - Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 8th Edition, Vol. 1, page 235, 2003

SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth)
Jan might suggest a SIBO breath test if you have symptoms that may indicate that SIBO is the underlying problem for you. You can read more about that condition and testing here. The treatment for SIBO is a specific dietary protocol along with supplements to improve your small intestine function and bacterial levels. 

Is this approach for you?
You would benefit from Jan's expertise with testing and in correcting digestive conditions if you have been diagnosed with IBS, if you haven't had success with previous treatment for digestion problems, and/or if you suffer with any of these symptoms:

• bloating
• flatulence
• excess burping
• stomach pain
• reactions to foods
• nausea
• distension of your abdomen
• candida infection
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative Colitis
• traveller's diarrhoea
• unhappy digestion when travelling overseas
• rashes
• allergies and hayfever
• chronic low iron levels
• constipation
• loose stools or diarrhoea
• itchy anus