IBS: Navigating Diagnosis, Treatment, and the Difficult Healthcare System | Dr. Peter Whorwell

Dr. Peter Whorwell, author of Take Control of your IBS, directs the South Manchester Functional Bowel Service and has had a particular interest in the functional gastrointestinal disorders. His unit undertakes research into the clinical, epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects of functional gastrointestinal disorders as well as caring for large numbers of these patients from all over the UK. 

In honor of April’s IBS Awareness Month, dive into IBS and complications around diagnosis and treatment. Given Dr. Whorwell’s book provides a lot of the foundations and is a quick read, we dove into some of the topics he did not go deep into in the book. We do cover some foundations.

You will learn this…

• Challenges with modern medicine impacting IBS diagnosis and how tests don’t solve everything
• Typical IBS symptoms and how IBS symptoms are unique from other possible conditions
• Research conducted about endometriosis vs IBS
• Another perspective on endo belly
• Caution around understanding symptoms, especially around your period versus throughout menstrual cycle so you are not treated for the wrong thing
• Why HRT can play a critical role for IBS patients in perimenopause and post menopause
• Bloating vs distension
• Gut microbiome and IBS relationship
• Whether comprehensive stool analysis is worth it
• IBS and the impact of fiber
• Whether laxatives damage the bowel

“I can’t cure you, but I can make life better for you. IBS won’t be cured, at least not in my lifetime” - Dr. Peter Whorwell

Resources:

• Dr. Peter Whorwell's Book: Take Control of your IBS
• Review other IBS resources

• Resources and episodes on the Gut and Vaginal Microbiome

• Resources and episodes on Nutrition & Exercise

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About Dr. Peter Whorwell

Professor Whorwell graduated in biochemistry at the University of London and in medicine at Guy’s Hospital, London. After a series of residencies and fellowships, one of which was in the USA, he was appointed as Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist at the University Hospital of South Manchester in 1981 and was subsequently promoted to Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology. Over the years he has had a particular interest in the functional gastrointestinal disorders and now directs the South Manchester Functional Bowel Service. This unit undertakes research into the clinical, epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects of functional gastrointestinal disorders as well as caring for large numbers of these patients from all over the UK. It also undertakes a wide-ranging programme of research into new treatment options for these conditions including pharmacological, dietary and behavioral approaches.

Professor Whorwell has published over 350 papers and chapters in his fields of interest and serves on a number of international advisory panels and working parties.

**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.**

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