This article was originally published in 2015 and has been updated in November 2018 to reflect the latest research.
Do you have gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and stool issues? Up to 20 percent of the U.S. population suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that adversely affects daily life. Instead of digging deeper to identify the underlying cause(s), conventional medicine typically offers medications to suppress gut symptoms. Read on to learn about five lesser-known causes of IBS that you may not be looking for.
Irritable bowel syndrome doesn’t have to be a lifelong sentence. Learn about five underlying causes of IBS you might not be looking for to help heal the gut from the inside out.
How Doctors Diagnose IBS
IBS is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder. Yet it’s poorly understood—not only by those who suffer from it but also by many clinicians who try to treat it. (1) Symptoms of IBS include gas, bloating, and abdominal pain, accompanied predominantly by constipation, diarrhea, or both. Those afflicted report lower quality of life and activity levels and call in sick twice as often as the general population. (2) Depression and anxiety often accompany IBS, most likely through the gut–brain axis connection between the enteric nervous system of the GI tract and the central nervous system.
Over the years, diagnostic criteria have evolved, but IBS is now generally defined as recurrent abdominal pain at least three days per month in the previous three months, associated with two or more of the following: (3)
- Improvement with defecation
- Onset associated with change in stool frequency
- Onset associated with change in stool consistency
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IBS Medications Aim to Tame, Not to Treat
Not that long ago, IBS was dismissed as a psychosomatic disorder that was “all in your head.” Fortunately, it is now recognized as a legitimate gastrointestinal disorder, although it’s often poorly managed. Current treatments focus on alleviating the symptoms of IBS instead of actually fixing the underlying problems—but that’s a common theme in conventional treatment of modern chronic diseases. Medications prescribed for IBS include:
- Antidiarrheals
- Anticholinergic or antispasmodic drugs
- Laxatives
- SSRIs
- 5-HT3 antagonists
- Mast cell stabilizers (also used to treat asthma)
But those who use these IBS medications report low satisfaction, with little relief from the condition, and many of these drugs induce side effects that are similar to IBS symptoms themselves! (4, 5)
5 Causes of IBS You May Not Have Considered
In order to properly treat IBS, you’ll need to do some investigating to determine the cause. This article will summarize five causes of IBS that you may not be looking for—but should be.
1. Gut Dysbiosis
Ever-growing research links the gut microbiome to bone health, heart health, autoimmune disease, thyroid health, and more. It should be no surprise, then, that IBS is directly related to gut dysbiosis, a change in the composition of the gut bacteria. Up to 83 percent of IBS patients have abnormal fecal biomarkers, and up to 73 percent have intestinal dysbiosis. (6) Specifically, those with IBS tend to have decreased levels of “good” bacteria, such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, and increased levels of harmful strains such as E. coli and Clostridia. (7, 8) An increased ratio of Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes (two major classes of bacteria) is also common. (9)
Success in treating IBS with prebiotics and probiotics is further evidence that gut dysbiosis plays a role in IBS. A recent article reviewed 24 randomized placebo-controlled probiotic trials, the majority of which showed benefits of treatment. (10) Beneficial probiotic strains included B. animalis, L. rhamnosus GG, B. infantis, B. longum, and L. acidophilus. (11, 12, 13) Prebiotics, which act as food for the microbiota, can also help establish beneficial bacterial. (14, 15, 16)
Another strategy that can correct gut dysbiosis is a low-FODMAP diet, which eliminates foods containing certain carbohydrates that feed intestinal bacteria. (17, 18, 19) This method may help get the beneficial-to-harmful bacteria ratio back under control, but it works best as a short-term solution that is then followed by prebiotic/probiotic treatment. (20, 21, 22)
2. SIBO
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a special subset of gut dysbiosis in which the small intestines harbor an abnormal number of bacteria. Compared to the colon, the small intestine should have a bacterial concentration that is considerably lower. Bacterial overload in the small intestine can interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption.
SIBO may be present in up to 80 percent of IBS patients, although a recent meta-analysis reported a huge range of estimates (between 4 and 78 percent) across 50 studies. (23) Part of the reason for the discrepancies is non-uniform IBS diagnosis, and the other part may be variations in SIBO diagnosis. I prefer the methane breath test over jejunal aspirate and culture, the conventional testing approach.
Antibiotics that are used to treat SIBO, like rifaximin, can also be effective for treating IBS, further evidence that SIBO may be underlying some cases of IBS. (24, 25) Or, SIBO may follow IBS incidence, especially if a person with IBS begins taking PPIs (acid-blocking medications) for indigestion. One of the many dangers of PPIs is the development of SIBO. (26, 27)
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3. Gut Permeability
The GI tract is lined with a single layer of tightly packed epithelial cells designed to keep pathogens and other unwanted species out of the bloodstream. If the barriers between cells become permeable, undigested protein molecules and bacterial toxins can pass through and trigger immune reactions and inflammation.
Leaky gut and associated low-grade immune activation affect between 12 and 50 percent of people suffering from IBS. (28, 29, 30) Low levels of E-cadherin, a protein involved in regulating gut permeability, have been reported in IBS sufferers who experience diarrhea and/or constipation. (31)
Supplements that can help reestablish the intestinal barrier include:
- L-glutamine
- MSM and quercetin
- N-acetyl glucosamine
- Mucin
- DGL slippery elm
- Marshmallow
- Chamomile
- Cat’s claw
GI-Revive contains several of these in an effective blend. Supplementing with probiotics can also help repair gut permeability. (33)
4. Gut Infection
Gut infections are another lesser-known cause of IBS. Many studies have confirmed a link between a single episode of bacterial gastroenteritis and future development of IBS. (34, 35, 36) Parasites such as B. hominis, Giardia spp., E. histolytica, Dientamoeba fragilis, and Trichinella spp. have also been correlated with progression of IBS, although causation has not yet been confirmed. (37, 38, 39)
Modern lifestyle has compromised the gut’s ability to resist infections from pathogenic bacteria and parasites. (High levels of stress, for instance, combined with factors such as the Standard American Diet, can easily lower our immunity.) Gut permeability, gut dysbiosis, and high stomach pH from chronic PPI use create more opportunities for pathogens to overwhelm or bypass the gut’s immune defenses.
5. Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity and Other Food Intolerances
The medical field once mocked non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), but the condition is slowly gaining acceptance even in conventional medicine. (40) Many of the symptoms—gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and changes in stool patterns—are indistinguishable from IBS, so NCGS can be difficult to identify. Brain fog and fatigue following gluten consumption are also very common.
In IBS patients, I see a number of other food intolerances, such as:
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Seafood
- Yeast
- Soy
A large review of over 73 studies “confirmed that food allergy and intolerance should be considered as an underlying pathology for IBS.” (41) But bear in mind that food intolerances themselves are often symptoms of deeper causes like SIBO, gut infections, and/or gut permeability.
The cheapest tool to determine food intolerances is an elimination diet, which I outline in depth in my book The Paleo Cure.
What’s Your Experience with IBS?
IBS can be an unpredictable and even debilitating condition. Finding the root cause is not always an easy or quick road, but neither is a lifetime of symptom-suppressing medications with additional side effects.
In my practice, I have seen patients who have suffered from this condition for 20 years recover after we identify and address the underlying causes of IBS outlined above and fix their diets.
Better supplementation. Fewer supplements.
Close the nutrient gap to feel and perform your best.
A daily stack of supplements designed to meet your most critical needs.
Not to be heretic on purpose, but thought I’d add my experience with IBS due to SIBO as a reminder to think outside of the box, too, no matter how logical the box may seem.
I’ve had symptoms of IBS-C for about 10 years. The worst part was the constant bloating in reaction to food, the second worst the constipation, but fluid retention and a low-grade mood change that was proportionate to the other symptoms sucked, too.
Over the years I’ve been repeatedly tested for anything and everything to do with the gut, I’ve consulted with so many practitioners, including functional health docs and some of the well-known authors of books you may have read. I’ve been gluten free all along, SCD for many months, strict and dogmatic paleo for years, then PHD (perfect health diet/Chris Kresser-ish paleo. VLC all along by apparent necessity, as carbs seemed to be the worst culprit. I’ve used synthetic and herbal antimicrobials, antifungals etc. All to no avail. The only test that was really positive for anything tangible was a test for fungal overgrowth and SIBO (methane-positive).
The only result from the above was low adrenal function, very poor conversion of thyroid hormones, fatigue, weight gain and allergies, and with many of the proposed dietary changes, increased symptoms (and no,
Then I read Norm Robillard’s book and familiarized myself with his concept of fermentation potential. As per his charts I realized that as he states, Jasmine rice and – wait for it- white bread (as in a baguette) had the lowest fermentation potentials.
During a recent a trip to Europe I also saw healthy, happy, slender people eating bread, pizza etc and decided once and for all to stop eating with my head and follow my gut (pun intended) instead. The result: I haven’t felt better in years! Bloating gone, energy up. I eat several slices of white bread every day, Jasmine rice and wheat pasta with no symptoms. My energy is so much better from finally consuming carbohydrates (per Promethease snp testing I’m not very good at gluconeogenesis).
I still can’t eat fiber, so I’m basically on what you might call a low-residue diet, and yes, I do worry about my colonic gut bugs because of it. However, I am decidedly more healthy this way than I was while dogmatically following health experts, and I couldn’t be happier to finally have found a way not to be bloated and feel bad every day. I have lost over 10 lbs in less than 2 months and am finally at my pre-symptom set weight.
Just a reminder to remain open- minded. I’m glad I finally took a step back from my long-held assumptions about what should work and allowed myself to discover what actually does work for me.
I love what you wrote. My gut symptoms actually started when I went off gluten years ago, even though my aunt has celiac disease, so that runs in my family. I’m going to be brave and try some plain ol’ bread! I do crave it.
Good luck with your self-experimentation, Christina! I believe that while it can be helpful to find an overall framework that makes sense, it’s important to remember that what seems logical may be wrong. Vegans, paleo dieters, low-carbers, low-fat dieters, macrobiotic dieters etc etc all have a logical framework for their diet, yet they arrive at very different conclusions.
It makes total scientific sense that someone not gluten intolerant but highly intolerant of fiber would do well eating white bread. Some might argue that the long-term effects ay be negative, but as there are centenarians eating bread we can state that that is not always the case, only that there may be risks involved for those who are susceptible.
To Chris’ often well-articulated point, other factors such as relaxation, enjoyment (and I would like to add the absence of fear, anxiety and stressed dogmatism around food) are at least equally important as what we put into our mouths. Probably much more so.
So interesting. Thank you for sharing.
For sure we don’t yet have the full understanding.
Thanks for sharing that. It’s. Interesting isn’t it how we are all so different biochemically. It’s always said that we don’t treat protocols but people.
Interesting how your metabolism wasn’t suited to vlc and that you failed to adapt to this despite the length of time you were on it.
I do often wonder how much of an influence our subconscious plays. You said yourself that things improved when you stopped following your head. Maybe this was a f*** it moment?
Last year I was having a terrible time with my IBS. I went on holiday to Barbados and it took me three days to stop thinkimg about work. On the fourth day I woke up with zero digestive symptoms and my abs started to reveal themselves again. This, despite drinking beer and rum every day, ice cream (despite being lactose intolerant) and even having a buffet breakfast one mornimg with all the bread, pancakes and syrup I could manage. If I ate that way at home I’d be in agony. But then I don’t get to go kayaking everyday in the sea or sit on a beach and watch the sunset when I’m at home.
This is interesting. I’ve had ‘IBS-D’ for 15 years, tried everything. I just read Pimentel’s book The IBS Solution, which is similar to Robillard’s concept. He advocates a breath test for SIBO, rifaximin (which I got from Canada for $147 instead of $1200 US), and a diet that’s low carb (except for white bread and pasta), and low residue fruits & veggies. I have been on rifaximin for just 4 days, and haven’t seen any improvement at all. In fact, the past 2 days I had to miss appointments. I have a mandatory trial in California next month, and I’m panicked. Don’t know how I’ll be able to get through the day, flights, etc. I am trying the diet, and so far it’s good for a while, but then it all comes back. I’m really tired of living like this. I have no life.
It sounds like you have a lot more than SIBO and or IBS going on here. 4 days on any drugs will not likely show much results. You need to be patient and cut the bad guys sugar, simple carbs and processed. Also make sure you have a good supplement of omegas. Perhaps yo might consider a product called true hope EMP. It seems to works for many ailments related to anxiety. I don’t work for these guys, so you know. Google it.
One thing about IBS is that it could actually be part of what some have called ‘Adhesion Related Disorders’. You very rarely hear about the subject of adhesions, and I have noticed that Drs never wanted to talk about them when I would bring it up. I have occasionally seen adhesions mentioned as a possible factor for SIBO.
I experienced a tear or something in my lower right quadrant back in 1984 due to repetitive lifting. I developed severe pelvic pain and diarrhea. I could not find any Dr who would believe that my issues could be due to an injury, and I was constantly told that I had IBS and should take fiber and probiotics which only gave me more diarrhea. I had constant spasms that never went away. I also felt like my abdomen and pelvis were very tight- like I was full of crazy glue. It felt like my circulation was cut off- especially in the pelvis. Another patient suggested that I might have had a burst ovarian cyst which in some cases can cause inflammation and adhesions, similar to peritonitis.
I went to a few physical therapists and a visceral massage therapist. The visceral massage helped a little, but not enough. They all agreed that I had a lot of tough adhesions which were likely caused by the injury and some subsequent surgeries (fibroid removal done with a large incision, a hysterectomy, and adrenalectomy due to pheochromocytoma.) The fibroid removal surgery definitely made the adhesions worse and I am sure that the others didn’t help. I also developed what I am pretty sure is a colon/bladder fistula from the hysterectomy but no Dr wants to consider that possibility either.
I think that the subject of adhesions needs to be brought out of the closet. There currently doesn’t seem to be a good way of getting rid of them. But I think that they could be a missing link in some cases of the so-called ‘IBS’ which IMO is an overused diagnosis given out just to get rid of patients with complicated cases.
This is very interesting that you brought up adhesions. I would like to hear more about this. I am in the same situation as you. Less than ideal results and I did have adhesions. I had a hysterectomy and wonder about the status of those adhesions currently.
Vivian,
Yes- I wish that I could find someone who would even consider that I might have pain and problems due to adhesions. My hysterectomy was done back in 1998 but I am still having issues. In fact, I developed additional problems from it. I had vulvodynia for many years afterwards, which I had never had before. And then there is what I am pretty sure is a colon bladder fistula with symptoms that vary in intensity. Basically it means that I pass gas through my bladder- and when it is more active, it happens every time after I urinate. They can be hard to diagnose because sometimes the fistula may open and close depending on adhesions and/or edema so you can get a false negative result during testing, which is done by a gastrograffin enema. I tried to get a gynecologist to do this test on me a few years ago but he refused.
There are a few good books about adhesions. One is by Karen Steward, Drs: Bound By Secrecy, Victims: Bound By Pain. Her daughter had problems due to adhesions and finally found help from a Dr in Germany, although other patients who went to the same Dr did not have any improvement and felt like they had been scammed.
There are also two good books that address both adhesions in general as well as endometriosis. Dr David Redwine’s ‘100 Questions and Answers About Endometriosis’, and Dr Andrew Cook has one about endometriosis and pelvic pain. They explain how adhesions, with or without endometriosis, are underdiagnosed and that most Drs, including gynecologists, do not have the training and experience that is necessary to diagnose and treat them. I know that whenever I tried to talk about adhesions to Drs that they would say that if I had any, then they would have been seen during my surgeries, but I have since learned that that is not always the case. The gynecologist who did my hysterectomy refused to sit down with me after the surgery and didn’t want to hear about any problems I might be having. The hysterectomy itself was done under horrible conditions. I was supposed to have it done in the late morning but the gynecologist was called away to deliver a baby and it was almost evening by the time he arrived and he came running in. I should have said right then and there that I didn’t want to have a major surgery like a hysterectomy done in a rushed manner, but I felt like I was obligated to go through with it since it was scheduled.
The hysterectomy was a laparoscopic vaginal one. Looking back, with my history, this likely wasn’t the best choice because it probably didn’t provide the best view for things like adhesions. Also, I noticed that I had an incision in my lower right abdomen that wasn’t supposed to be there. But since the gynecologist refused to speak to me afterwards, I don’t know why it was done.
Avocado1,
I totally agree with you. the abdominal cavity is susceptible to adhesion, most strongly so after gynecological surgeries, as well as other factors and events causing adhesions. If these “trap” part of the GI tract altered motility could definitely happen.
You may not be able to eliminate adhesions completely, but you can work on them and decrease their effect, and at the very least prevent them for getting worse. One approach is to use a ball, approximately 4″ in diameter, and apply sustained pressure into the area of adhesion by laying on the ball.
Good luck!
Wow, I never thought about this. I’ve had appendectomy, hysterectomy (fibroids) and cholecystectomy. I get pains down the fronts of my legs that started when I was pregnant. If I hurt my back, they come back. I have a lot of tingling and numbness, don’t know what from. Thanks for this thought.
Google: Clear Passage
Dr. Ruscio had a podcast with their founders.
I’ve been there for 26 hours of therapy. I’m doing much better (IBS-C, SIBO) and now slowly trying to open my diet back up.
I’m surprised you didn’t talk more about FODMAPS as a problem with many people with IBS. I have suffered with this for almost 50 years. Going off gluten helped but never really got rid of all of my symptoms. When I discovered the FODMAP diet it all started to click. By trial and error I have found that lactose is my friend whereas fructans and polyols are not. I also try to Just Eat Real Food. I haven’t had any symptoms since I started this a few months back. I missed onions at first but having a happy gut is much more important.
I mentioned the low FODMAP diet as an intervention that could be helpful in the article. However, I didn’t mention it as a cause because it’s not. People don’t get IBS because they eat too many FODMAPs. We have to be careful not to confuses treatments with causes. SIBO and other gut dysfunctions are what cause both IBS and FODMAP intolerance.
By the same token, statins lower cholesterol but high cholesterol isn’t caused by statin deficiency. And low-carb diets can help with blood sugar and weight gain, but weight gain / blood sugar problems aren’t caused by eating too many carbs (unless those carbs are highly processed and refined).
Thank you Chris for clearing that up for me. I came down with IBS at age 18 (46 years ago). It makes sense that I wouldn’t suddenly have an intolerance to certain foods unless there was suddenly a change in my gut. So since A FODMAP diet seems to keep my system happy if I want to start eating FODMAPS again, I need to find out what is the underlying cause.
It is a debilitating problem and hard to treat for a lot of people. Stomach issues have definitely lead me on a journey of 1000 diets. These 5 issues seem like the big ones. If I could add anything, it would be heavy metal toxicity (or even malnutrition), as it can rob us of essential micro-nutrients needed to make tons of enzymatic processes happen.
IBS-C sufferer for 31 years. Paleo/Primal diet has helped – no grains, few legumes. Any sugar and carbs are problematic, even fruit and sweet potatoes. No dairy, not even grass fed kefir, yogurt or butter. Tried fodmaps, not much help. Little help from probiotics. Lots of help from home ferments like sauerkraut and kimchi., which contain far more probiotics than can be crammed into a bottle of pills. Significant help from resistant starch – especially raw potato starch from Bob’s Red mill. 6 tablespoons daily in my green smoothie helps a lot. Vitamin D3 helps. Liquid trace minerals helps a lot. Help from high sulfur foods like brassicas and alliums. Working outside on the farm helps a lot – movement. Detoxing and low stress lifestyle (farming) helps. The next step – fecal transplant. Seeking donors. Must be male, young, healthy and never have taken antibiotics.
These are good suggestions..
However one that’s not mentioned ever, even by the most prestigious health experts is dealing with stress and low blood sugar.
When my clients are dealing with adrenal fatigue and usually hypoglycemia as well, they can deal with IBS.
As the blood sugar drops too low and causes the adrenals to fire and release cortisol and adrenaline, it can cause increased intestinal motility speed.
Until cortisol rhythms are balanced, I don’t see some IBS sufferers get better.
This is how I started my health journey and fixed it.
How do you fix cortisol levels?
You fix insulin levels. Lots of supplements for that. Just go to a health food store and they will show you what they have. You absolutely have to get your sugar in check to manage cortisol.
Diagnosed in the early ’80’s with IBS-C, “its all in your head”. In those days, protocol was fiber in the form of wheat wafers, go figure, and drugs to ease anxiety because people with digestive issues are “needy”- ugh!! Then developed horrible endometriosis, joint/muscle pain, took tons of Advil. Tried all the usual probiotics, enzymes, gut repair supps which were NO help. Recently saw a doc (non functional) who did an IgG, “you’re intolerant to just about every food known to man!”. Eliminated everything, felt better but starving, no improvement in constipation. Started PrescriptAssist, fennel, some improvement in bloating, no help with constipation- feels like concrete in there! Recently diagnosed with Spina Bifida Occulta- surely that affects motility! Did the “Amazing Liver Flush” according to Moritz, who says Liver is key to digestion, food allergies/intolerances…no longer crashing after accidental ingestion. Still hungry, lots of nutritional deficiencies. Looking for a functional med person. It’s exhausting. Advil surely a major contributor to multi-organ issues. So is IBS also related to faulty liver??
Thanks for writing this. For the past few months I have been dealing with IBS, hoping it would go away on its own but it didn’t. Just recently I looked into the low FODMAP diet & anti-candida diet (as I believe yeast overgrowth has caused my IBS). Within a matter of days on the diet (I did also cut out caffeine & alcohol) I noticed so many of my symptoms had gone away! Constant itchiness all over my body was gone, bloating gone, gas reduced, etc. Pretty amazing how much diet can change. I have also been taking glutamine supplements & probiotics
I suffered with IBS-D for many years and the GI doc told me nothing could be done, except the keep anti-diarrhea meds close.
I then became interested in Dr. Hyman’s functional medicine books and articles and discussed Rifaximin with my doctor. It was a miracle drug. Unfortunately it is not a forever treatment, and needs to be repeated eventually, in my case about two years later. The drug is exorbitantly expensive and not approved (yet) for IBS use. The 42 pill treatment is well above $1000 in my area, thus out of reach for me.
As a repeat course of treatment was not affordable, the FODMAP “diet” came to be, and it has been very, very helpful, and the few occasions that come up are much milder and shorter lived. I also try to follow Paleo, which fits in nicely with the FODMAP.
I
When I referred Rifaximin to my daughter-in-law, she obtained relief from serious SIBO and thanks me often for that info.
Another issue that doesn’t get the attention it deserves are adhesions. I developed severe pelvic pain and diarrhea after an improper lifting incident. I felt something tear or snap in my lower right quadrant.
When I went to Drs, they immediately told me that I had IBS. They totally discounted my explanation about the lifting incident. I don’t know what could have happened, but I do feel that I have a degree of prolapse. I also felt like things were/are very tight and that I have poor circulation as a result. Another patient told me that it could have caused a burst ovarian cyst, which can cause inflammation and adhesions in some cases.
I have since had some surgeries, a hysterectomy and a fibroid removal (the fibroid removal was done with a large incision), and a right adrenalectomy due to a pheochromocytoma. These surgeries made things feel even tighter.
I have been to physical therapists and a visceral massage therapist. The visceral massage helped a little, but not enough. Every therapist said that I had a lot of tough adhesions. When I would mention this to Drs they were dismissive and didn’t want to talk about them.
I used to visit a website that coined the term “ARD” which stands for Adhesion Related Disorders. I think that adhesions could be a ‘missing link’ for some patients with unexplained pains and problems that don’t respond well to the usual recommended treatments. I know that they are difficult to treat, but I think that it is a problem that needs much more attention and consideration.
My entire life, my mother says, I have had bowel issues. In my mid twenties I was diagnosed with IBS. The doctors gave me no direction at all. Over the last ten years I have found relief in creating a ‘no-no’ foods list. The biggest triggers are citrus fruits and, sadly, cucumbers. When I removed gluten for my thyroid, I found it helped the most. {Thanks goes to you for your article in 2011} I changed our household to use pro/prebiotics, Greek yogurt, low sugar, non-GMO, make food from scratch daily, fermented foods,picky on our meat and no grain fed/hormone added, etc… Our poor children are riddled with multiple Autoimmune Diseases and one with Autism. Finding a functional doctor has been on our agenda for two years. Unfortunately the distance and cost of the closest one hinders us from going. Changing diet, lifestyle, and recently adding the Nrf2 activator Protandim has made them manageable. My eleven year old has three Autoimmune diseases. Going gluten free (Celiac) helped alleviate her hive flares(Hoshimotos) fairly well. Using Protandim has made the biggest impact and is continuing to get rid of her Ulcerative Colitis (3mo continuous) flare when all the adult prescriptions failed.
IBS – 35 years and counting. Had a great dr that ran every test plus scoping, barium, etc 30 yrs ago and they couldn’t do much else then. Finally ran across Fodmap and that gave me a much better understanding on addressing the issue. Even with low Fodmap diet and GF I cycle between good days and bad many times with no apparent reasoning. I did like the fermented comment – kefir. I do ocassionally use kombucha and will see if more regular use leads to improvement. Many thanks for the article and reader comments.
Seriously, kefir has changed my life. I drink between one and two cups a day. I make it myself so it is only the cost of the milk. It is worth trying, everyone. There’s nothing to lose and I have got my life back.
I mix in a tablespoon of chia seeds too, for the many benefits and for the fibre.
Interesting. So if you can’t consume any form of dairy because of protein intolerance, Kefir is OK?? For some of us, chia seeds are the kiss of death: major constipation. How is Kefir tolerated?
I have IBS-D, so the chia seeds sounds great to me! Maybe slow things down a bit!
I realize I’m late with adding this comment, but thought I should mention it. Unfortunately, kefir has changed my life…but not for the good. It’s unfortunate, because I LOVE it! I could seriously drink a few cups of it daily. However, since starting it (for almost 3 weeks now) it’s given me indigestion, severe and painful bloating (mostly upper abdominal), and painful gas. When I stop drinking it, the symptoms go away. I did some research and for some of us dealing with IBS, chronic inflammation and immunosuppression, kefir is not recommended, as there is an increased risk for fungemia or bacteriemia for some of us. It can cause flares for some as well. The same goes for probiotic supplements. What helps some, does not help all. Listen to your body!
Mine started when I retook my childhood vaccines to get into nursing school, because I didn’t have my records. I would have liked to take titers but that was $120 per disease. I was making $100 a month.
So I have lived with IBS diarrhea since 2003. I have taken over 50 herbs that helped little- some not at all. I have had to increase my vitamins and minerals because of them going through so fast and causing health problems from that.- losing teeth, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroid, duodenal ulcer, anemia, etc.
16 species of gut bacteria have been a part of my regimen for years with no help. Yogurt too, and making yogurt with the 16 species.
I have managed to improve it so it looks like poo instead of chewed up banana or watermelon or lettuce for example. But finally, started carrying an orgonite with me given to me as a gift. and it has changed my whole health. I think it is helping my gut absorb my nutrients better and am seeing profound changes in my strength and attitutde, and health- gut changing too. For the good.
Look up Wilhelm Reich, there are some Youtube videos , look up the cloud buster, and look up Don and Carol Croft’s interview on It’s Rainmaking time.
I am looking to get in touch with person who works in Boston area with IBS.
Dianne Rishikof is her name listed above. Thank u.
Kathy tower
[email protected]
There is a test and cure for IBS as of five months ago. But of course those listed by you also need to be considered as more full and lasting treatments.
.
Question regarding order of treatment I’ve been diagnosed with SIBO and probable leaky gut, probable parasites, mold and Lyme toxins. What would you treat first?
Is abx treatment for SiBO effective of you have leaky gut? Need help 🙂
I have had a bottle of Rifaximin for a month, hestitant to take an antibiotic. But I am ready to give it a chance. My question to Chris or anyone who knows is do I /should I, take a probiotic with it or will it negate the med treatment?
If you listen to the interview of Dr. Pimentel by Chris Kresser
http://chriskresser.com/sibo-update-an-interview-with-dr-mark-pimentel/?mc_cid=20b3e0c7ea&mc_eid=a12dd70f4d
you will hear him say that they leave patients on their unhealthful diets while treating with antibiotics (rifaximin) so that the targeted bacteria will be actively ingesting substances from its environment thereby poisoning them in the desired way. Because when those bacteria are being starved they go dormant and seal themselves off from their surroundings including the antibiotic and manage to hang around until they get their next batch of desirable food.
I haven’t tried rifaximin for my troubles, preferring to stay away from non-natural substances if I can, but it has proven to work well (as have “natural” antibiotics) and—importantly—does not have the effect of breading super bugs or otherwise creating resistance to its effects. That’s perhaps the biggest reason why alternative and functional medical practitioners are willing to use it. Many of those same practitioners are also aware that in many cases the herbal antibiotics are equally effective.
I would advise you finish your course of antibiotics first, then take the probiotics.
I was diagnosed with IBS 20 or so years ago and was told to “eat more fiber”. Basically, I lived with it until 18 months ago when a friend went on the low carb diet. Investigating that, she found a lot of evidence to indicate all the foods that might cause digestive distress and info on autoimmune disease and diet (I also have an autoimmune disease, diagnosed 10 years ago). Lo and behold, after changing my diet in hopes of helping the autoimmune disease, I realized one day that my stomach actually didn’t hurt. I sat there a good 15 minutes getting used to it because my stomach was pretty much in constant distress most of my adult life. I still struggle not eating things because frankly, it is still difficult to eat out at a lot of places my family wants to go (like anywhere Mexican since I can’t have nightshades). So, yes, diet definitely helps IBS and can basically cure it since when I’m only eating things on the autoimmune protocol list, I am fine.
I had intestinal issues since I was a child. No one could figure it out. I was diagnosed with IBS and Ulcerative Colitis which landed me in the ER because I was bleeding internally and was having signs of a heart attack. The pills prescribed did nothing for it. My husband was listening to Dr. Joel Wallach/Dead Doctors Don’t Lie and told me I should give up all gluten. Mind you in colon was riddled with open bleeding sores. So I did give up all gluten and found relief almost right away. A year later all sores were gone per my colonoscopy and not having any pain anymore. Check out, “Wheat Belly” by Dr. Davis on YouTube. It’s an hour long but makes sense.
Glad you found a fix for yourself. Sounds like you didn’t have IBS though, but gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Have you tried to eat wheat lately? I was GF for two years and then found I could tolerate wheat very well again.
p.s. Dr. Davis just pushes another version of paleo or low-carb dieting. I never lost an ounce though, when I was gluten-free for two years.
I’ve had two bouts of amoebic dysentery during my world travels, but my real troubles started when I had my gall bladder removed in 1991. No control over my bowel, diarrhea, cramping. It got so bad I never left the house without taking Immodium and I still never eat out or eat before leaving the house.
Last night after eating a bratwurst (no additives, made locally) some red potatoes and green beans, ice cream for dessert, I spent over two hours with excruciating intestinal cramps, which emptied my bowel until liquid diarrhea. Today I am whacked.
This has been going on for years, and I am really fed up. Anti-depressants help some and paleo diet helps some.
Any suggestions on pro or pre biotics that I could take would be great.
VSL #3 is the probiotic my husband is on per GI doc.
It sounds like you need to get testing for SIBO and look into the Low Fodmap or SIBO diet on siboinfo.com. I got SIBO after fighting off e-coli from a trip to a 3rd world country. Infections like dysentery can lead to SIBO. The treatments for SIBO worked for me, but I have struggled with relapse due to other things with which I am dealing.