Our Center offers an holistic approach to treatment of IBS, utilizing the following treatments.

---

---

Gastroenterologist

      All patients begin with an initial assessment by the gastroenterologist, which includes a detailed history and physical examination. All prior tests and treatments are reviewed; while we have the capacity to perform all the usual GI evaluations including colonoscopy and gastroscopy, the only tests performed at our Center are those that are appropriate and not previously done. Recommendations are then offered which may include prescription medication, psychological consultation, hypnotherapy, nutritional counseling or complementary treatment.

Clinical Psychologist

      Our clinical psychologist is available for consultation or for patients who have significant psychological issues or difficulties coping with IBS. Research has indicated the relevance of psychological dynamics to IBS coping and symptom relief. Both individual and or couple/family treatment may be recommended depending on need. Additionally, the psychologist and the gastroenterologist meet regularly to discuss the best way to help all of the patients who come to the Center.

Hypnotherapy for IBS and Abdominal Distension

     IBS focused hypnotherapy, was first reported in England more than 30 years ago. Using this protocol, significant improvement in IBS symptoms has been reported by many academic centers.
     Our hypnotherapy program is led by a clinical psychologist who was trained at an internationally recognized IBS hypnotherapy training program in North Carolina and has years of experience with this technique. Sessions take place at our office Tuesdays, from either 5:15 to 6 PM or 6 to 6:45 PM., every other week for a total of 7 sessions. Patients receive their own CD for use at home during the course. From time to time, we offer a group hypnotherapy sequence of 7 sessions.
      We have published an article describing the success of our hypnotherapy program (described in the Original Research section on the MBDC web site), indicating significant symptom improvement, sustained by a majority of patients for a year after the last session.
     We have now added a second hypnotherapy protocol addressed at patients who suffer from abdominal bloating and distension. This is a very common complaint in women, especially after eating and medical treatment is often unsuccessful.

Patient Reported Outcome (ePRO) Program

      One of the issues that comes up during patient visits is whether there has been improvement in both the severity of symptoms and the degree to which symptoms effect life experience. To improve our ability to track a patient’s clinical course, the MBDC is initiating a confidential interactive Web-based program, in which the effect of symptoms will be monitored, and discussed at each patient visit.

Expressive Writing Project

      At the MBDC, we have begun to give certain patients a therapeutic writing assignment based on extensive research by a leading psychologist, Dr. James Pennebaker. Initially, Dr. Pennebaker found that when people wrote about emotional experience, in a strictly proscribed four-day format, there were significant and beneficial effects on immune function, physician visits and psychological well being. Positive results were then found in illnesses such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and pelvic pain syndrome.
     Writing about one’s emotional experience, using an IBS related protocol that we have developed, holds promise for improving the clinical course of patients who continue to suffer from IBS.

Lactose Intolerance and Bacterial Overgrowth Testing

      At the MBDC, we are able to test accurately for lactose intolerance and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Both are tested by measuring hydrogen in breath samples after ingestion of lactose or glucose, respectively. Hydrogen increases in the breath if sugars are not properly digested and absorbed. After a positive test, dietary change and treatment is recommended.