IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Cause of IBS SIBO
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, or SIBO, is characterised by excessive amounts of bacteria in the small intestine. These are not necessarily ‘bad’ bacteria; they are just colonising in the wrong area. As well as addressing the bacterial imbalance, it’s even more important to address the underlying cause of the problem, such as low HCL production, sluggish liver, faulty motor migration complex, chronic stress etc.
SIBO is generally caused by a lack of muscular activity in and around the small intestine, meaning that bacteria is not swept away into the colon as it should be, but there are many factors which may contribute significantly to its development, including low stomach acid, antibiotic use, stress, short bowel syndrome, bowel resection, and dietary factors. SIBO is also associated with various digestive or even muscular conditions, including diverticulosis, and intestinal permeability.
Symptoms of SIBO can include feeling too full for a long time, feeling like you don’t digest well, feeling like food is stuck in your intestines, feeling like balloons are popping in your gut, abdominal distention, constipation, bloating, vomiting and diarrhoea, and weight loss or insomnia or skin issues like acne, rosacea or mental health issues like anxiety and depression. 9 out of 10 patients i see have mental health issues as well as digestive issues. This is due to the brain-gut connection and the fact that your gut perceives chronic stress so well. We must listen to our gut!
It’s not always easy to identify which types of bacteria are implicated in SIBO; the most reliable tests are breath tests these can give an indication of whether the overgrowth consists of largely methane or hydrogen-producing bacteria (i can order this test for you).
Those with predominantly hydrogen-producing bacteria typically suffer from diarrhoea or fullness and those with predominantly methane-producing bacteria may experience constipation or flatulence and indigestion symptoms. This is sometimes referred to as ‘SIBO-D’ and ‘SIBO-C’. As high hydrogen levels can also indicate lactose intolerance, it is important to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. Gluten? Dairy? Fodmaps? Stress? Lifestyle?
It’s not always appropriate to go straight in with probiotics initially, when it’s often more appropriate to support the condition with a low-carbohydrate diet, and remove any other problem foods that may be exacerbating the condition – a low FODMAP diet is sometimes recommended for a short period of time until it’s felt that the overgrowth has been addressed. if you are suffering do not buy over the counter probiotics as these often contain ingredients that feed the problem, please consult with myself first. Together we will decide on a course of action. Antibiotics or anti-microbials. Medical doctors can prescribe antibiotics to address SIBO whereas alternative practitioners like myself will tend to use natural anti-microbial supplements which are typically used before introducing probiotics as part of the ‘5 Rs approach:
‘5 Rs approach
- Remove
- Replace
- Re-inoculate
- Repair
- Re-balance
This can be an extremely complex condition to manage and rebalance, requiring a carefully monitored programme of clinical tests, diet and supplements and specific probiotics. It can take up to 2 years to eliminate it as it may require several changes to find a plan that works for your gut. it took me 28 months to get better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fiona a Doctor?
No, Fiona is a medical scientist, who has 25 years of experience investigating and researching health because of her own and her families functional bowel, mental health, digestive, hormonal and gut health struggles. She resolved her own acne, complex trauma, chronic stress, anxiety, low mood, digestive issues, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia like illness through years of working with doctors, naturopaths, functional practitioners, following protocols, trial and error of supplements, medication, herbs, hormones, peptides and making many lifestyle changes and is well known for her success through sheer determination to support her clients cases. She has worked in the field of microbiology and in medical sales and marketing of drugs and skin products for 15 years, she is trained in nutritional mineral analysis, reading functional blood chemistry and a naturopathic doctors advanced clinical program and is doing ongoing case study training with naturopathic doctors. Fiona is not a medical doctor, a nurse or a registered dietician, or a nutritionist. Fiona is not a medically qualified professional and does not medically diagnose any condition or symptom.
Is the coaching covered by VHI?
No, but you can put receipts and supplement bills under health expenses on your med 1 tax return at the end of the year. We will give receipts for all.
Will one appointment be sufficient?
This depends on how many symptoms you have, and for how long, if you are suffering decades no, it will take time to unravel root causes and treat them. You need to be aware that what you are embarking upon is not a quick fix but will require daily effort to achieve health goals, that involvement is a long-term commitment and failing to implement any part of my program will reduce chances of success. You should see a doctor if I think you have a medical condition. You receive health coaching suggestions to improve your health but there are no guarantees regarding these suggestions as everyone is biochemically so different. Fiona does however give you enough paperwork for you to do about 2 years of work behind the scenes as she wants to give you value for money to keep working on your health even outside appointments provided you commit to doing bloods twice a year as supplements or programs can change the cellular health and everything must be monitored.
Why do I have to do a package and not just one appointment?
Fiona likes to support a client in the initial weeks after their first appointment so they put into practice what is given in the protocol. She is there to provide support via WhatsApp Or Instagram Dms if you have any quick questions. 30-60mins of time is included in the package for these support minutes. Whole body wellness is not a quick fix as many systems in the body have to be addressed to get the gut well. I help you work on your digestion, absorption, detoxification pathways, your lymphatic, adrenal, enteric nervous system to help your body recover from illness that begins in the gut. It takes time to get ones body into healing mode, it took me 3 years in total to get my gut from not digesting at all to eating everything in sight.
What is included in my package?
Fiona prides herself on being with the person as they embark on their journey but she has to charge for her time in helping you make progress after your first appointment. Post call support minutes can be purchased for 125 euro at any stage this gives you 12 contact points for quick questions. NO long emails or phone calls can be included in this. All minutes are recorded and taken out of your time. Each contact point is 5 mins.
The €250 package (2hrs of time) includes review of the consultation form and notes taken prior to the call (20mins), a 1hr consultation call, 20 mins links for writing supplements post call, a doctors referral letter or 20mins post call support. No emails will be written with all specifics for your programme but a general document will be sent after call and you will have your notes taken from the consult on what to do from it. This is our cheapest package and is useful for someone who is not able to commit to deeper work, may not be ready to make major continuous changes or just wants more info on their symptoms.
For €375 3hrs as above but with 1.5 hr consultation and 30mins support minutes
For €500 4hrs as above but 90 mins support minutes after call. These can also be used for a review of bloods or a test that incurs after the first appointment or a written email with instructions of any changes you need. This is the minimum for complex cases of 4 or more long standing issues.
For €625 5hrs of time.
For €750 6hrs of time
For €875 7hrs of time
For €1000 8hrs of time- this will cover a few months and maybe 4 tests review in that time and continuous guidance. Best for the person who has time to commit to their healing or is at the end of their tether and their symptoms are seriously effecting their ability to work, care for family, their marriage is in jeopardy or they are too ill to consider getting pregnant.
Can Fiona prescribe medicine, peptides or hormones or GLP-1s?
No, but Go With Your Gut Clinic may provide you with information relating to products that we believe might benefit you, but such information is not to be taken as an endorsement or recommendation. Some such products may not be available without a prescription, but we do not dispense or prescribe any prescription products. The information provided is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice or used as a substitute for medical care. We are not responsible for any adverse affects or consequences that may result, either directly or indirectly, from that information. We may mention to you to see another doctor or health practitioner during the course of your care.
How to do the HTMA Mineral Hair test/Nutritional Deficiencies test
To take hair sample: Hair has to be natural, clean, no products in it. If your hair is dyed it has to be the undyed root hair grown out part you cut out. About 8 weeks regrowth is needed. Cut 5 x 1 inch deep hair from root, each about half inch wide, and then cut off dyed hair part and dispose it. If you have a natural hair sample cut it to max 2 inch length from root. Place hair in a small envelope, write your name and sample type: hair on the small envelope. On form make sure you fill in patient details section, max 5 symptoms and your bank card details, 3 digit code and its expiry date (on bottom somewhere of form). About 85-90euro will come off your card when it’s processed in about 3 weeks, after you post it off. Put the small envelope with the form into a big envelope and post to
For Irish and UK clients post to
Mineral Check LTD, Bull Cottage, Lenham Health Rd, Lenham Health, Kent, ME172BP, UK
For USA Clients post to
Trace Elements, Incorporated 4501 Sunbelt Drive, Addison, Texas 75001-0514
When results back I will contact you.
