Join us for the next AIMA Auckland Monthly Meeting...

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Is it Still in Their Head?

with Sharon Erdrich - Registered Naturopath & Clinical Nutritional Consultant and Medical Herbalist

With a documented incidence of around 20% and the knowledge that this possibly represents just ¼ to ½ of individuals with the condition, it must be asked: How good are we at detecting IBS?

People with IBS are more likely to present with other pain disorders, such as migraine, fibromyalgia and pelvic pain and each should be evaluated for IBS.

Once considered a “diagnosis of exclusion” IBS was one of the most expensive diagnoses to obtain. Then it became stigmatized as psychosomatic in origin.

Sharon will present:

A jog through the history of IBS – from past to present
An overview of the evaluation of digestive function (beyond the Bristol Stool Chart)
A summary of emerging evidence for the role of the microbiome in this once-maligned condition
Case studies demonstrating a microbiome-focused approach to resolving the symptoms of irritable bowel.

When: Tuesday 24th September, 7pm networking and light refreshments, 7.30pm start (presentation will be for 1 hour from 7.30-8.30pm)

Where: Marcellin Room, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby – parking available onsite

Tickets: $20 adults $10 students. Tickets must be pre-booked. Herbal tea and light refreshments included.

About Sharon Erdrich

Sharon Erdrich (MHSc, DipNat, DipHM, NZRN, RegNut) has over 40 years’ experience in health, having commenced her working career as a nurse in Auckland’s Green Lane Hospital. Since then she has studied naturopathy, herbal medicine, aromatherapy, and massage and in 2015 attained a Master of Health Science (Hons) by research at the University of Auckland. She is an experienced lecturer, having taught a range of natural therapies topics and nursing for over 13 years.

In 2012 Sharon established New Zealand’s only specialist SiBO breath-testing service in Auckland and is one of this country’s leading experts in this field, running regular seminars and webinars, upskilling health practitioners in the evaluation and treatment of functional digestive disorders.

In 2017 Sharon presented at the ICNM (London) and at the 10th Asia Pacific Conference of Clinical Nutrition (Adelaide). In 2018 she was again a presenter at ICNM, and in May 2019 will present at the ICCMR in Brisbane.

She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. via the University of Sydney, investigating the gut microbial profile in people with fibromyalgia. Sharon is a full professional member of the Nutrition Society of NZ and the Naturopaths & Medical Herbalists of NZ and is Vice-President of the latter.

Join us and learn about this fascinating topic. It's a great opportunity to meet and network with like-minded practitioners and students in an informal setting.