An IBS naturopath for bloating and gut comfort

Mapping your symptoms together

In your 60-minute first consult, we map out your gut in detail:

• When bloating builds, and how it changes from morning to night
• Your bowel habits, and how settled or changeable they tend to be
• Meals, snacks and drinks that seem to set things off
• How stress, travel or a busy week shows up in your gut
• Where you are in your cycle when symptoms flare
• Diets and changes you've already tried, and how they went

If you've kept any notes on your symptoms, food or cycle, bring them along, since patterns often show up when we look at them together.

Looking at more than what's on your plate

Many women with IBS have been told it's something to live with, by watching everything they eat and drink.

I look at what shapes your gut day to day, from food and stress to sleep and your cycle, so your plan takes in the whole of your day.

Food changes are made step by step, so we can both see what suits you.

Stress, mood and your gut

We talk about stress, sleep and how your week really looks, because mindset is 1 of my 4 pillars and I look at it alongside your gut.

Your plan may include practical ways to build more calm into your day, at a pace that suits you.

Stress and mood are part of the picture, so we make room for them in your plan.

When bloating follows your cycle

If your bloating or bowel habits shift at certain times of the month, I'll look at your cycle as well as your gut.

That's where my work on hormonal health comes in, since gut and hormones are 2 of my 4 pillars.

Testing, when it adds something

Testing is optional.

If your history points to it, I may suggest a comprehensive stool test or microbiome mapping, so we can see more of what's going on in your gut.

If your GP has already run tests, bring the results, so we build on them.

I'll explain what each test looks at and what it costs, and you decide whether it suits you.

What your IBS plan may include

Your plan is built around your life, and it may include:

• Changes to what, when and how you eat, built around food you enjoy
• Food changes made step by step, so you can see what suits you
• Ways to look after your digestion through busy or stressful weeks
• Support for your cycle, where hormones are part of the picture
• Where it suits you, natural medicines, explained clearly

Every body responds in its own way, so your plan is built around you and reviewed as we go at 30-minute follow-ups.

My post on why your gut health is worth a closer look covers the everyday basics.

Book a first consult whenever you're ready.