CONSTIPATION & DIARRHEA TREATMENT
Restoring Bowel Function Naturally
Constipation and diarrhea are among the most common digestive complaints, affecting millions of people and significantly impacting daily life. Whether you’re dealing with chronic constipation, frequent diarrhea, or alternating between both, these bowel problems can be frustrating, uncomfortable, and embarrassing.
At Paracelsus Natural Family Health Center in Pasadena and Redlands, Dr. Simon Barker and Dr. Daniel Brousseau understand that irregular bowel movements are often symptoms of underlying digestive imbalances rather than just isolated problems. They use comprehensive testing and natural treatments to identify what’s causing your bowel irregularities and help restore normal, comfortable digestive function.
Many people accept irregular bowel movements as “normal for them” or rely on laxatives and anti-diarrheal medications for years without addressing the root causes. Our approach focuses on understanding why your bowel function isn’t working properly and fixing those underlying issues naturally.
What Makes Our Treatment Different
Comprehensive Root Cause Testing – Rather than just treating symptoms, we work to identify what’s causing your bowel irregularities. We use comprehensive stool analysis that examines balance of good and bad bacteria, signs of inflammation or infection, and how well you’re digesting fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. We also offer SIBO breath testing, food sensitivity testing, and thyroid function testing since thyroid problems commonly affect bowel function.
Systematic Treatment Approach – We take a phased approach: first identifying and addressing root causes through targeted testing, then restoring proper digestive function by healing inflammation and restoring healthy bacteria balance, then regulating bowel function naturally without dependence on laxatives or anti-diarrheal medications, and finally maintaining long-term digestive health with sustainable habits and lifestyle practices.
Personalized Natural Protocols – Our treatment protocols may include nutrient supplementation, appropriate fiber and probiotics, digestive enzymes, natural compounds that support healthy bowel motility, hydration guidelines, identification and elimination of trigger foods, and stress management techniques that support the gut-brain connection.
Evidence-Based Support – Our natural approaches are supported by extensive research on fiber and its effects on bowel function, probiotics and their role in normalizing bowel movements, nutritional supplementation in treating constipation, and the gut-brain connection and stress effects on bowel function.
How Our Bowel Regulation Treatment Works
Initial Comprehensive Assessment – We conduct thorough evaluations to understand your symptoms and history. Testing helps us find specific factors contributing to your bowel irregularities, whether it’s food sensitivities, bacterial imbalances, thyroid issues, or other underlying problems.
Active Treatment Phase – We work to heal any inflammation, restore healthy bacteria balance, and optimize digestive processes.
For constipation, treatment includes nutrient supplementation to relax intestinal muscles and draw water into the bowel, appropriate fiber supplements and dietary recommendations, probiotics to restore healthy gut bacteria, and natural compounds that stimulate healthy bowel motility.
For diarrhea, we use natural compounds that slow excessive bowel motility, probiotics that restore bacterial balance and firm up stools, nutrients that heal and strengthen the intestinal lining, and natural antimicrobials when bacterial overgrowth is present.
Long-Term Bowel Health – We help you develop sustainable habits that support regular bowel function including drinking adequate water throughout the day, regular physical activity and movement, establishing a consistent bathroom routine, not delaying when you feel the urge to go, and managing stress through relaxation techniques.
Understanding Normal vs. Abnormal Bowel Function
Healthy bowel function varies from person to person, but there are general patterns that indicate good digestive health. Normal bowel movements occur anywhere from 1 to 3 times per day with well-formed but not hard stools that are easy to pass, with no straining, pain, or urgency, and with a feeling of complete evacuation.
Signs of constipation include fewer than 1 bowel movement a day, hard dry or lumpy stools like pellets, straining during bowel movements, feeling like you can’t completely empty your bowels, and abdominal bloating, gas and discomfort.
Signs of diarrhea include loose, watery or mushy stools, more than 3 bowel movements per day, urgency feeling like you need to go immediately, cramping or abdominal pain before bowel movements, and difficulty controlling bowel movements.
Common underlying causes include not drinking enough water, low fiber intake, sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity, certain medications, stress and anxiety, thyroid problems especially hypothyroidism, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities or intolerances, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine (SIBO), infections, gut bacteria imbalance after food poisoning or antibiotic use, and underlying conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, and hormone imbalances.
Benefits of Natural Bowel Regulation Treatment
Regular, Comfortable Bowel Movements
Achieving a predictable pattern of well-formed, easy-to-pass bowel movements without straining or urgency.
Reduced Dependence on Medications
Many patients are able to reduce or eliminate their need for laxatives, fiber supplements, or anti-diarrheal medications. Unlike these medications that can create dependence or worsen problems over time, natural treatments work to restore your body’s ability to regulate bowel function on its own.
Improved Overall Digestive Health
Better digestion, reduced bloating, and improved nutrient absorption as underlying issues are addressed.
Enhanced Quality of Life
Freedom from constantly worrying about bathroom access or planning activities around bowel unpredictability.
Better Energy and Mood
Improved nutrient absorption and reduced toxin buildup often lead to increased energy and better emotional well-being.
Long-Lasting Results
By addressing root causes rather than just symptoms, patients often maintain improved bowel function long-term.
Most patients begin noticing improvements within 2-4 weeks of starting treatment, with more significant changes developing over 2-3 months as underlying causes are addressed.
Ready to Restore Regular Bowel Function?
Dr. Barker and Dr. Brousseau’s comprehensive approach to bowel regulation provides patients with evidence-based natural support that addresses root causes while restoring your body’s ability to maintain healthy digestive function.
Questions about natural bowel regulation?
Call either office to discuss how our proven natural approach can help you achieve regular, comfortable bowel movements without medication dependence.
Call either office to discuss how our proven natural approach can help you achieve regular, comfortable bowel movements without medication dependence.