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As a dedicated Women's Health & Digestive Health Naturopath, I specialise in helping businesswomen who are experiencing the ups and downs of perimenopause and menopause.

Whether you are experiencing digestive issues, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) or hormonal imbalances, I take a holistic approach. I provide personalised care to empower women to achieve optimal health and well-being.

Did you know that your gut microbiome plays a crucial role in your overall health and well-being?  That's right! Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that impact everything from digestion and nutrient absorption to immune function and mood regulation. 

Gut microbiome testing is one test that I love to prescribe for my clients, especially if they have been searching (Dr Google) or working with other health professionals for answers and not getting to the bottom of their health issues.

The summer season brings higher temperatures and increased humidity, which we are currently experiencing here in South East Queensland and along the East Coast. The prolonged humidity creates an environment that encourages the proliferation of mould, especially indoors which can lead to sinus and respiratory infections and also some autoimmune diseases. 

Fungal infections, such as thrush, athletes foot, jock itch, eczema, and dermatitis along with yeast infections, such as Candida albicans, tend to make their presence known during the summer months and if left untreated can still cause health issues during the cooler months.

The not so known or spoken about health issues, such as, vaginal dryness, light bladder leakage and dry skin (all over our bodies), during the perimenopause transition into menopause is where I'm focusing on this month for my blog topic. 

There is a lot more discussion and openness around the topic of vaginal dryness and vaginal irritations along with vaginal atrophy and women are becoming more proactive in getting the right treatment solutions and are seeking the help of a qualified Naturopath and other health professionals, that work in the women's health field.

A popular diet that I prescribed in clinic for my IBS clients is the low FODMAP diet. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, which are short-chain carbohydrates (sugars) that the small intestine absorbs poorly.

This diet has been designed to help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and/or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) figure out which foods are problematic and which foods reduce symptoms. Low FODMAP foods also help relieve symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

I’m curious to know ‘Have you tried the Low FODMAP Diet to help relieve your digestive issues?’

There are many reasons as to why we suffer from bloating. Digestive dysfunction (dyspepsia or indigestion) is one of the main reasons as to why this is occurring. 

For some people, this is an all-day problem that starts the moment they wake up (with a nice flat tummy) and gradually gets worse throughout the day and for others, it comes and goes. What could be causing this? Maybe it's related to a food trigger, maybe low stomach acid or low amounts of digestive enzymes are to blame. But there is definitely an imbalance of good gut bacteria within your digestive tract!

I have experienced digestive health issues since birth and through out my childhood, teenage years, my 20s, 30s and 40s. I was finally diagnosed with SIBO in my late 40s - what a relief it was to finally have some answers as to why I didn't 'feel quite right!' 

Due to my previous digestive health issues I love working with Women, Men and Children who are experiencing all types of digestive health issues. 

Digestive health issues such as SIBO or IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) can flare at any stage through out our lives due to hormonal changes, chronic stress, abdominal surgery (C-sections, Hysterectomies, Cholecystectomy, Gastric Sleeve (Gastric Bypass Surgery etc) and taking medications such as birth control, antibiotics, pain killers, anti-depressants, PPIs and many more.

I think it's important to work with a Naturopath that knows what its like to feel 'not quite right' and has tried many treatment options and diets over the years. I know what works and what doesn't, as a lot of diets and treatments relieve your symptoms but they don't treat the root cause which is so necessary for successful treatment and healing. It feels so good to have great gut health - finally!!!

There are many common presenting symptoms that both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) have. These include - abdominal pain or cramping, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea or both, burping, flatulence, reflux and food sensitivities.

As a SIBO Naturopath I work with many people who have these symptoms as they have digestive issues. I find that it is important to be tested for SIBO, so that you are on the correct treatment plan as these symptoms are very common. Research has shown that 84% of people who have IBS and who do the SIBO Lactulose Breath Test (the most common one) test positive to SIBO.