Gastrointestinal Disease

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS affects one in seven adults. It is a functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) that is characterised by the following symptoms:

Bloating
Lower abdominal pain
Excessive passage of wind
Distension
Altered bowel habit (diarrhoea, constipation, or a combination of both)

Dietary modification through following a low-FODMAP diet has been shown to improve symptoms in 75% of people diagnosed with IBS.

Although a small amount of bloating and wind is quite ok and healthy, if your bloating and gut symptoms are excessive and impacting on your quality of life, it is worth discussing with your GP or medical specialist whether a trial of the low-FODMAP diet under the supervision of a Specialist Dietitian might be right for you.

There are 3 phases to the low-FODMAP diet: the Elimination Phase, Challenge Phase, and Reintroduction/Adapted Diet Phase. A Specialist Dietitian will be able to support you through each of these phases to ensure overall nutritional adequacy and that you are on the least restrictive diet to achieve symptom control.

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If you would like to explore the low-FODMAP diet, contact us today to enquire about our low-FODMAP package.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

The two major types of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These are autoimmune diseases, where the body attacks the digestive system.

Crohn's disease can occur in any part of the intestine
Ulcerative colitis only affects the large intestine (colon)

Nutritional care is important in the treatment of patients with IBD and includes prevention and treatment of malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and osteoporosis.

Coeliac Disease

Gluten is a protein found in the wheat, barley, rye and oats and needs to be excluded life long in those with coeliac disease. Eating gluten-free can still be enjoyable and satisfying with the right support.

Diverticular Disease

Diverticulosis, diverticular disease and diverticulitis require fibre modifications and careful fluid intake. Diverticula are small pouches or bulges that form in the wall of your large bowel. If they become inflamed or infected ("diverticulitis") they can cause symptoms such as lower abdominal pain or bloating. Dietary modification can help you prevent diverticulitis attacks in the future.

Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)

Oesophageal reflux is due to stomach acid rising up to the oesophagus where it can cause pain and inflammation. Sometimes, the foods we eat can make reflux worse.