Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD is a condition affecting the bowel. It is characterised by inflammation in the bowel, usually affecting the large bowel, giving rise to pain, bleeding, and formation of mucus. There is also associated diarrhoea, often with watery and bloody motions with lots of mucus or even pus.

IBD is often divided into either Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis, although the conditions are very similar, and can only be diagnosed by special investigations.

The diagnosis is usually made on the basis of a biopsy in combination with a telescopic examination of the bowel, known as a colonoscopy. During this investigation the extent of the inflammation in the bowel can be seen. X-Ray examinations such as Barium Enema may also be used in the investigation of the condition.

Once the diagnosis is made, the treatment is based mainly on the use of drugs to suppress the inflammation, such as steroids and other immune-suppressing medication. Whilst this can help the symptoms in the short term, it does not resolve the underlying condition, and often the symptoms return once the medications are reduced or stopped.

How Can We Help?

We offer a caring, alternative approach to your needs.

We specialise in Complementary & Alternative Medicine, and there is much that can be done to help IBD with this approach.

Each person is dealt with individually. Each person’s needs are different. The actual treatment will vary from person to person.

There are a number of therapies and treatments that can help with IBD, and different approaches benefit different people. There are a number of different factors that need to be taken into consideration, and the best way of deciding which approach will benefit any individual person is to carry out certain tests

Our initial approach therefore is to carry out certain tests or investigations.

What Tests Do You Need?

A number of tests may be of benefit, including the following:

Allergy Test
Anti-gliaden antibody
Digestive Function Analysis
Full Body Screening
Vitamin and Mineral (Nutritional Assessment)

Usually we would recommend the Full Body Screening, as this includes allergies, hormones, and vitamins and minerals, and these are of great importance in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

It is also important to assess digestive function and the bacterial balance in the bowel. The Full Body Screening can give an insight into these factors, but it may also be necessary to carry out a Digestive Function Analysis.

Anti-gliaden antibody test may also be recommended, as IBD may resemble coeliac disease, and this should be excluded.

It is important to assess the bacterial balance in the bowel, as any bowel dysbiosis may aggravate the condition, or may even be the cause of the symptoms in some cases.

What Advice Do You Get?

The actual advice given depends on the results of the tests carried out. Different treatments are required depending on these results.

As we specialise in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, our treatments are based on this.

Often in IBD it can be helpful to make certain dietary changes. Often nutritional supplements are required to correct any vitamin and / or mineral deficiencies. Herbal and homoeopathic medicines are often used in IBD and are most useful in helping to control the symptoms and relieve the condition.

Other therapies, such as Acupuncture, Reflexology or Aromatherapy can also be helpful, as can Colonic Hydrotherapy, and these form a part of our treatment recommendation when appropriate. Counselling or Hypnotherapy may also be used.

A comprehensive treatment programme – based on the therapies discussed above – is recommended following any tests carried out.

How Successful Is Our Treatment?

Our treatment programmes are usually very successful. We often succeed where others have failed.

The reason for this is due to the tests carried out – which enables us to tailor the treatments according to the specific needs of the individual – and also due to the experience we have gained over the years together with the efficacy of our unique, specialised products – herbal, homoeopathic and nutritional.

Most – if not all – of our patients with IBD have benefited from out treatment programmes. Individual treatment programmes may be complex, and may need some commitment to follow successfully. Dietary changes together with a number of supplements, herbal and / or homoeopathic medicines to take every day, together with weekly treatments may be required for a period of at least 10 – 12 weeks.