Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Struggling with IBS? Here’s what you need to know to find relief.

Learn about diagnostic testing

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What is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common, chronic disorder that affects the large intestine. It can cause a range of symptoms, which often vary from person to person. By learning more about IBS - what it is, why it happens, and the tests that can help diagnose it - you can make informed decisions about managing your gut health and getting back on track.

IBS can cause:

- Abdominal pain or cramping

- Bloating and gas

- Diarrhoea (IBS-D), constipation (IBS-C), or a mix of both (IBS-M)

Although IBS isn’t life-threatening, it can significantly impact your day-to-day life. The good news is that understanding the condition is the first step toward finding the right support and treatment.

Why does IBS happen?

The exact cause of IBS isn’t fully understood, but several factors are often linked to the development and flare-ups of symptoms:

Gut-Brain Interaction Problems. There may be a miscommunication between the brain and the gut, affecting how the muscles in the bowel contract and relax.
Food Intolerances. Certain foods, such as dairy or gluten, can trigger or worsen symptoms in some individuals.
Stress & Anxiety. Emotional stress can heighten gut sensitivity and exacerbate IBS symptoms.
Changes in Gut Bacteria. An imbalance in the gut microbiome may play a role in persistent IBS symptoms.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all cure for IBS, many people find relief through a combination of dietary changes (such as a low-FODMAP diet), stress management, and targeted therapies or medications. Identifying your specific triggers is key to effectively managing symptoms.

Diagnostic testing for IBS

IBS is a functional disorder (a disorder that can cause symptoms, without damage to the body), no single test can definitively diagnose it.

Instead, your healthcare team may use a combination of symptom criteria (Rome IV guidelines) and diagnostic tests to rule out other conditions and pinpoint the underlying issues.

At The Functional Gut Clinic, we offer the following highly accurate and trusted diagnostic tools to uncover the root causes of IBS:

Testing options

Blood tests:

- Celiac disease (by testing for anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies)

- Anemia or infections (by checking complete blood count - CBC)

- Inflammation markers (such as C-reactive protein or ESR for inflammatory bowel disease)

Stool tests

- Calprotectin or lactoferrin test (to check for inflammation in the intestines, which could indicate IBD rather than IBS)

- Fecal occult blood test (to check for blood in the stool)

- Stool culture (to rule out infections like bacteria or parasites)

Breath tests

- Lactose intolerance test (to check if symptoms are caused by lactose malabsorption)

- Fructose intolerance test (to check if symptoms are caused by fructose malabsorption)

- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) test (to detect excess bacteria in the small intestine)

- Hydrogen sulphide breath test (to detect if hydrogen sulphide producing bacteria are present)

There may also be a need for a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy if your symptoms are severe or unusual. This helps to rule out IBD, colorectal cancer or microscopic colitis.

Further imaging tests can also be done if needed, including a CT Scan or MRI to check for structural issues in the intestines, as well as an abdominal ultrasound to assess gallbladder or pancreas issues.

Find out more and book your test

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