Understanding IBS: Beyond "It's Just Stress"
If you've been diagnosed with IBS, you're probably familiar with that frustrating moment in the doctor's office. "Your tests look normal," they say, while you're sitting there knowing something is definitely not normal about your digestion.
What IBS Really Means
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is what we call a functional digestive disorder. This means your digestive system isn't working properly, but standard medical tests can't find visible damage or disease to explain why. Think of it like a fire alarm going off in your body - the alarm is working (you're having real symptoms), but traditional testing can't find the fire.
The Diagnostic Criteria
Doctors diagnose IBS using something called the Rome IV criteria.
You need:
Recurrent abdominal pain (at least one day per week in the last three months)
Pain related to defecation
Changes in stool frequency or form
Symptoms lasting at least six months
Types of IBS
Not all IBS is created equal. There are different types:
IBS-D: Where diarrhea is predominant
IBS-C: Where constipation is predominant
IBS-M: Mixed type, alternating between both
IBS-U: Unspecified pattern
Want to learn more about the 4 different types of IBS?
Check out this blog post ↓
The Real Impact
Let's be real about what living with IBS actually means:
Managing brain fog and fatigue
Navigating social situations involving food
Struggling with anxiety about symptoms
Planning your life around bathroom access
Never knowing which foods are "safe"
Dealing with unpredictable bloating
Why Traditional Treatment Falls Short
Standard medical advice often includes:
"Just manage your stress"
"Add more fiber"
"Try the low FODMAP diet" (which shouldn’t be a forever diet)
"Take this antispasmodic"
“Here’s a prescription for an anti-anxiety”
While these suggestions might help manage symptoms, they miss the bigger picture. IBS isn't just about stress or diet - it's often a sign of underlying imbalances that need addressing.
The Root Cause Approach
As a practitioner with access to functional testing, I look beyond the diagnosis to investigate what's really triggering your symptoms:
Environmental toxins
Hormone disruptions
Nervous system dysfunction
Hidden gut infections
Bacterial imbalances
Food sensitivities
Moving Forward
Having IBS doesn't mean you're stuck with symptoms forever or that it's "all in your head." Your symptoms are real, and you deserve real answers. Understanding what IBS actually is - and isn't - is the first step toward finding lasting solutions.
Ready to dig deeper into your gut health journey?
Let's talk about finding your specific triggers and creating a personalized healing plan.
