Call Lyta Humphris on Plymouth (01752) 788321 or use my contact form to email me for an appointment now.
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What causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Because doctors have been unable to find an organic cause, IBS often has been thought to be caused by emotional conflict or stress. While stress may worsen IBS symptoms, research suggests that other factors also are important. Researchers have found that the colon muscle of a person with IBS begins to spasm after only mild stimulation.
Stress reduction (relaxation) training and hypnotherapy can help Irritable bowel syndrome by relaxing the muscles of the gut and relieving the symptoms. If you already have IBS, stress can trigger symptoms. In fact the bowel can over-react to all sorts of things, including food, exercise and hormones.
How is Irritable Bowel Syndrome diagnosed?
IBS usually is diagnosed after doctors exclude more serious organic diseases. The doctor will take a complete medical history that includes a careful description of the symptoms, and a physical examination and laboratory tests will be done.
What can you do about getting rid of your symptoms?
Call Lyta Humphris on Plymouth 01752 788321 or click HERE to e-mail Lyta for an appointment or a Personal IBS CD now.
Lyta is on the register of Approved Gastro-Intestinal Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists (RAGPH) and a faculty of the National Register of Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or spastic colon is not a disease. It is a functional bowel disorder, which means that the bowel doesn’t work as it should. It affects gut motility, the rate at which the contents of the bowel are pushed along to the rectum and is characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort, constipation, diarrhoea or alternate bouts of constipation and diarrhoea. With IBS the nerves and muscles in the bowel are extra sensitive – the muscles may contract too much when you eat. These contractions can cause cramping and diarrhoea during or shortly after a meal, or the nerves can be very sensitive and cramping and pain can result.
What is irritable bowel syndrome?
What are the symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome?
- Abdominal pain
- Excessive wind
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Mucus in stool
- Small ribbon or pebble like bowel movements
- Rectal discomfort
- Tightness around the waist
- Headache or backache
- Anxiety
What is the treatment?
- Diet changes
- Hypnotherapy
- Stress Relief
- Meditation
- Counselling and support
- Regular exercise
- Yoga
- Stress reduction
- Adequate sleep
There is a wealth of evidence that stress exacerbates gut problems and you may have become trapped in a vicious circle of physical symptoms, anxiety, and so on. Hypnosis can help break this cycle and increase psychological well being. However hypnosis specifically targeted towards the gut has proved effective in removing the actual symptoms of IBS in a number of clinical trials carried out by the medical profession. This is supported by many years of clinical experience both in the NHS and complementary fields.
Gut directed hypnosis was first developed by Dr. P. J. Whorwell at the University Hospital of South Manchester in 1984 for the treatment of irritable bowel. His department has both clinical evidence and many years of practical experience to show that the symptoms can be eliminated, or substantially reduced by the use of hypnotherapy. Eight out of ten patients readily admit to feeling eighty per cent better following a course of treatment, which is usually between six and eight sessions.
What has hypnotherapy to do with IBS?
Gut directed hypnotherapy or self-hypnosis is one of the most promising areas of IBS treatment. Current research shows that symptom reduction from IBS using hypnotherapy can last at least five years. There is a strong brain-gut component to IBS and cognitive therapy may improve symptoms in a proportion of patients in conjunction with anti-depressants. On-going investigational research also involves relationship to food allergies, poor bacterial balance, parasites, scar tissue that affects bowel motility, and bacterial overgrowth as a cause of symptoms.
IBS is not fatal, nor is it linked to the development of other serious bowel diseases. However, due to pain, discomfort and other symptoms, time off from work and other negative quality of life effects can be quite common in more serious cases. People who find good self-help options should be able to develop a successful treatment programme for their symptoms and lead normal lives.
It was the summer of 1998 and I was 35 years of age.
Today I was up early for a day at my local nature reserve to unwind after a rather stressful period involving a disciplinary at work. Little did I know that today was to be the beginning of an unpleasant chapter of my life...one that would last for the next twelve years. I had arrived early and had made my way along the footpath towards the lake as I had done many times before. Today however, I failed to reach the lake as within a few minutes I became the latest victim of what was later to be diagnosed as IBS. With great haste I made my way back to the reception praying that it was now open and that I could access the toilets. Thank goodness, it was open, panic over....at least for now, as at the time I was unaware that this was to be the first incident of years of IBS problems.
The following twelve years involved numerous diet changes, GP appointments and specialist consultations, culminating in internal examinations of my stomach and bowel at hospital.
Surprisingly, throughout my entire period of IBS symptoms I had been a Bus driver. For years I had been unable to access toilet facilities as I was often miles away en-route. This, over the years had made me very anxious and uncomfortable as IBS would prey heavy on my mind.
At weekends I would enjoy long walks in the countryside but rarely without having to hide behind a bush to relieve myself. I felt completely out of control.
Having suffered for so long and failing to find the cause of my symptoms I felt it was now time to approach the problem from a different angle. In October 2010 while browsing various websites I came upon the "IBS Centre (UK)" and was swiftly put in touch with Lyta Humphris from Hypnotherapy Devon. Following a chat over the phone to explain the treatment process, I soon attended my first session. Though I had some doubt as to whether this would be effective, I relaxed and actually enjoyed the experience of hypnotherapy. To my surprise within days of my first session I could once again enjoy a lengthy walk in the countryside at the weekend without the need for a toilet or a bush!! After a couple more sessions with Lyta I found that I was less anxious while working and this has improved week after week until now, six sessions later and five months on, I feel that I have reached my goal. No longer do I fear the lengthy journey or long walk and have more time for others as I am not focused solely on my IBS.
So suffice to say, hypnotherapy is not all "Hocus Pocus" and pocket watches but an effective and safe treatment. As Lyta will tell you, it's not a "quick fix" as it will take time, but time is something Lyta is very generous with and you certainly will not be disappointed with the time spent with her.
I am so very grateful to Lyta for all her help. With a little effort from yourself, you too could be feeling so much better like myself very soon.
Best of luck
Mr K (Devon)
Lyta has been practising hypnotherapy for 15 years, she is a member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy, and a member of the General Hypnotherapy Register with a senior qualification. Her main approach is hypnotherapy, however she also also uses counselling psychotherapy and NLP techniques. One of the primary goals in a hypnotherapy session is to help you understand the problem and treat it. After the session you will leave with a CD to re-enforce what you have done, and a host of skills and resources to use. Hypnotherapy is intended to be relaxing and enjoyable as we work towards your goal. Her sessions are longer than usual because she likes to give you time to talk.
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Dealing with IBS - A clients view