IBS: Irritable Bowl Syndrome
Whole Health News – September 1999
by Aleks Strande, N.D., Ph.D.

Questions and Answers with Dr. Strande

Question (patient): Doctor, I was diagnosed with a digestive problem called Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) eight years ago. I visited many gut specialists, but I am still sick and actually it’s getting worse. I am still getting alternating diarrhea and constipation and cramps.

Dr. Strande: Have you experienced any emotional traumas or have you been stressed for some time?

Patient: Yes, I’ve had a great deal of stress in my life over the past eight years. And I’ve had a lot of fatigue, depression, anxiety and muscle aches.

Dr. Strande: IBS is not a simple digestive problem – it’s a nervous problem. From a naturopathic point of view what I do is nourish the nervous system and recommend lifestyle improvements and the problem usually goes away. The fastest way to achieve relief is by using liquid herbal extracts in appropriate doses.

Patient: But I tried herbs and vitamins and they did not help.

Dr. Strande: You probably only tried retail supplements and these dosages are given in drops, they are not therapeutic in such doses.

Patient: How do you know?

Dr. Strande: I have at least two new patients a week coming in with similar problems.

Patient: Do I have to take these liquid herbs for the rest of my life?

Dr. Strande: No.

Patient: What about my gut symptoms?

Dr. Strande: They are secondary to your nerve problems and inability to control stress. Because the gut is inflamed, we will use natural means to regulate the bowel movements and stop the cramping. For some time, you will also have to stay away from a few food types that are known to be gut irritants.

Patient: How long will it take for me to see improvement?

Dr. Strande: With compliance to naturopathic instructions, people usually see a difference within a few days and the problem may be under control within two to three months (before the new millennium).

Alex Strande, N.D., Ph.D., is a naturopath and a microbiologist. His office is in Irvine, California. He can be contacted for questions and appointments at 949-553-1882.