Living

One of the unfortunate and interesting things about having irritable bowel syndrome is that I have periods in life when I think I’m becoming a hypochondriac. A “hypochondriac” is basically...

I tend to blame myself for a lot of things that I probably should not. Sometimes it’s obvious things like a relationship that didn’t work out or a promotion I...

There have been many times in my life when certain people used to ask me why I don’t see a doctor regularly since I "complain" about pain often. I try...

When I was first diagnosed with IBS, going on 5 years ago now, all I wanted was for someone to help me. I didn’t know anything about IBS, I just...

As if having IBS wasn’t tough enough, when you add emetophobia into the mix – it can make your situation a whole lot harder! Emetophobia is a phobia of vomiting...

For many people with IBS, a sensitive gut can feel like a ball and chain. You might go through a constant negotiation with yourself about which and how much food...

In the first part of my article on this topic, I described how eating in a low-stress environment may decrease food reactivity and help reduce the symptoms of IBS. In...

In addition to IBS, I unfortunately also suffer from a lot of spinal issues and back pain. This is due to a combination of degenerative disc disease, herniated discs and...

Many people with IBS struggle with anxiety, stress or whatever the individual (or their doctor) wants to call it. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)...

I recently made an appointment to see a gastroenterologist for the first time in several years. I am doing this because in recent months I have been experiencing an uptick...

The problem with a chronic illness is that it sneaks up on you when you need it the least. For me, that is every time I leave for a trip...

I am one of the many people that finds journaling to be a very important part of my wellness routine. That said, while I did keep a very detailed IBS...

When you live your life experiencing chronic pain, your entire daily routine can become an experiment – a trial and error contest into what helps reduce it and what makes...

I’m always on the lookout for new research findings that could help people like us with IBS. My current regimen is holding symptoms at bay, but there’s always the lingering...

There are many signs, symptoms, and conditions that can mimic irritable bowel syndrome. I believe it is important to be knowledgeable in order to help us feel better! After all...

In trying to manage both my GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) and my IBS, I have had to play a delicate balancing act. In fact, many of the mainline treatments for...

It’s that time of year when there’s so much sniffling and sneezing around workplaces and public spaces. I thought I’d been doing a good job of avoiding the sick people...

If you have been diagnosed with IBS, you have likely found there are certain foods that work for you and certain foods that don’t. Sometimes it’s hard to see past...

Anyone struggling with IBS knows stress can worsen symptoms. As a naturopathic physician, I often hear reports from patients about the ways in which stress impacts their digestion. Some people...

I have been contemplating working from home full-time due to illness issues. Obviously, one of those issues is IBS. I believe that it could relieve a lot of the stress...