Canada has one of the highest rates of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the world. 5 million Canadians currently suffer from IBS with 120,000 Canadians developing IBS each year.
By definition, IBS is:
“A functional gastrointestinal disorder for which no known physiologic or anatomical cause has been identified”
IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that it can only be diagnosed after tests for all other possible causes have been conducted and found to be negative.
The following tests should be conducted, and be NEGATIVE before IBS can be diagnosed:
- Occult Blood Stool test
- Colonoscopy
- Endoscopy
- Stool test for parasites and ova*
- Stool test for pathogenic bacteria*
- Lactose intolerance test
- Breath test for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)*
*Can be tested through your ND
SIBO Can Be Mistaken For IBS
Studies have shown that up to 84% of IBS patients, test positive for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Symptoms for IBS and SIBO can overlap.
Remember, IBS can only be diagnosed if a SIBO diagnosis is first excluded.
| IBS Symptoms | SIBO Symptoms |
| • Abdominal pain • Gas & bloating • Diarrhea • Constipation • Alternating diarrhea and constipation • Stool changes (loose, water, dry, hard) |
• Abdominal pain after meals • Gas & bloating after meals • Excessive burping or flatulence after meals • Diarrhea • Constipation • Alternating diarrhea and constipation • Bowel movement urgency • Nausea • Heartburn / reflux / GERD |
5 Signs Your IBS is Actually SIBO
- It all started after a bout of food poisoning
- Your symptoms get worse with probiotics
- Your symptoms get worse when increasing fiber
- Your symptoms get worse with increased sugar
- Your digestive symptoms get better with antibiotics
Testing For SIBO
Testing for SIBO is done through a breath test that you perform at home. This test collects multiple breath samples over the span of 3 hours and can determine if there is an overgrowth of certain types of bacteria growing in the small intestines.
If you’ve ever been diagnosed for IBS or suspect you may have IBS, make sure that the SIBO breath test has been performed and has come back negative. If you have not been tested negative for SIBO, a diagnosis of IBS cannot be made.
SIBO breath tests should be interpreted by a knowledgeable health professional, such as a trained Naturopathic Doctor.
Other Conditions Associated with SIBO
Aside from IBS, there are a number of other conditions that may be associated with SIBO. If you have any of the following conditions, and are unresponsive to treatment, consider testing for SIBO.
- Heart burn / reflux / GERD
- Rosacea
- Acne
- Eczema
- Iron deficiency
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Fatty Liver
- Interstitial cystitis
- Multiple food sensitivities
- Hypothyroidism or sub-clinical hypothyroidism
- Traumatic brain injury
Naturopathic Doctor
