The #1 Reason You're Constipated
If you would like to learn more about how I can help you, I am currently offering complimentary discovery consultations.
The cause of your constipation
Constipation is not a health condition but rather a message from your body that something is just not right.
When most people turn to their family doctor for help, they are often given the generic medical advice of, "just eat more fiber," which usually does not help and may even further exacerbate the problem.
When it comes to solving your constipation, getting to the root cause of the issue is the key. And while each person is unique and may have a variety of factors contributing, the research has shown a huge correlation between constipation and the overgrowth of bad bacteria in your small intestine's microbiome, a condition called SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth).
These bad bacteria cause constipation by producing high levels of methane gas which not only causes bloating and abdominal discomfort, but slows down your intestinal motility by 59%!
How do I find out if my constipation is caused by bacterial overgrowth and methane gas?
I always recommend a thorough health assessment for all of my patients dealing with constipation to determine what the most likely causes are. If SIBO is suspected I will recommend a take-home breath test kit which measures the levels of methane and hydrogen gas in your breath. If the levels of these gases are high, it means you have an overgrowth of bad bacteria in your small intestine (SIBO), which is likely the driving force behind your gut symptoms.
How do I treat SIBO-caused constipation?
The good news is that SIBO is a treatable condition with a high success rate.
Because SIBO is a bacterial overgrowth, the treatment needs to focus on wiping out the infection in order to stop the methane production.
While there are certainly some pharmaceutical antibiotics that can tackle this, as a naturopathic physician and lover of botanical medicine, I often prescribe antimicrobial herbs to effectively eradicate these bad methane bugs.
Herbs like thyme, oregano, goldenseal and garlic are some of my go-tos, but unfortunately it's not as simple as opening up your spice drawer. Professional grade, high potency extracts of these herbs are needed in order to properly treat this condition.
What are the next steps?
If you suffer from constipation, or any other digestive distress, please book a video or in-person consultation with me. Once I know your full health story I can properly advise you with a customized health plan including diagnostic tests, highly effective wellness remedies, and dietary recommendations.
If you would like to learn more about how I can help you, I am currently offering complimentary discovery consultations.
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