My Doctor Says I Have IBS… Now What?

If you’ve just been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Often, an IBS diagnosis follows one of two common experiences:

1. The quick dismissal: You’ve described your symptoms to your GP, only for them to say, “It’s probably just IBS.” You leave the appointment feeling confused, dismissed, and without a clear plan for managing your health.

2. The long process: Your GP takes your symptoms seriously and orders a series of tests—stool PCR, calprotectin, coeliac serology, even a colonoscopy. When all the results come back normal, the diagnosis lands: IBS. With little else to offer, your GP may simply shrug and say, “There’s nothing we can do.”

In either case, you might not have received a clear explanation of what IBS actually is or, more importantly, what you can do to manage it and improve your quality of life.

The good news is that while IBS doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all solution, it can be effectively managed with the right approach. This blog post will give you the essential tools and strategies to keep IBS from controlling your life. Here’s what you need to know to take control and feel better.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is exactly that—a syndrome. A syndrome is a collection of symptoms that occur together without a clear underlying cause. When doctors label something a syndrome, they’re acknowledging that a specific set of symptoms tend to cluster in patients, but the root cause isn’t fully understood.

To diagnose IBS, doctors must rule out other potential conditions or diseases first. One of the main criteria for any syndrome, including IBS, is that the symptoms occur in the absence of another disease. Only once other possible causes have been excluded can a diagnosis of IBS be made.

For IBS specifically, the diagnostic criteria are as follows:

Recurrent abdominal pain on average at least 1 day/week in the last 3 months, associated with two or more of the following criteria:

1. Related to defecation

2. Associated with a change in frequency of stool

3. Associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool

These criteria must be present for at least 3 months, with symptom onset occurring at least 6 months before diagnosis.

SO, with that being said—if you find yourself in scenario one above, where your GP says, "It's probably just IBS" without recommending further testing, this is a major red flag. It’s crucial to find a GP who takes your health seriously, as the symptoms of IBS can also be caused by more serious conditions that need to be ruled out first.

What to do after being diagnosed

Step 1 - Functional Testing

While conventional testing comes back clear for people with IBS, functional testing can offer a deeper insight into underlying factors that may be contributing to your IBS symptoms. Functional tests examine the functionality of your gut, identifying potential issues that conventional tests overlook.

Some key functional tests that may be useful in IBS include:

• Comprehensive Stool Analysis—looks at the balance of beneficial versus pathogenic bacteria in your intestines, parasites, inflammatory markers, and digestive enzyme function.

• SIBO Breath Test—Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition where the bacteria that normally live in the large intestine overgrow in the small intestine. SIBO causes symptoms similar to IBS, such as bloating, gas, diarrhoea or constipation. A SIBO breath test measures how much hydrogen or methane gas is being produced by bacteria in your gut after consuming a sugar solution. High levels of these gases suggests bacterial overgrowth, which may be driving your symptoms.

• Food Sensitivity Testing—Food sensitivities are common in people with IBS and can worsen symptoms. Common culprits include dairy, gluten, eggs, soy and FODMAPs. Food sensitivity testing should always be conducted by a health professional, as removing entire food groups can cause significant nutritional deficits.

• Organic Acids Testing—This measures metabolic byproducts in your urine. Imbalances of organic acids can indicate bacterial or yeast overgrowth, nutritional deficiencies, neurotransmitter imbalances - all which affect gut function.

Functional testing can help pinpoint the specific drivers of your symptoms, allowing your health professional to create a personalised treatment plan—as no two people are the same.

Step 2 - Understand Your Triggers

IBS affects everyone differently, so identifying your unique triggers is crucial for effectively managing your symptoms. Some common triggers to consider include:

• Stress and anxiety: Emotional stress is a well-known trigger for IBS. Tracking your stress levels and moods alongside your symptoms can reveal patterns. For example, you might notice flare-ups around work presentations, busy periods at home, or relationship stress. Pinpointing these connections can help you better manage your symptoms.

• Hormonal changes: For people who menstruate, hormonal fluctuations throughout the cycle may influence IBS. Keep a log of your menstrual cycle along with your IBS symptoms to see if there’s a correlation. You may notice symptoms intensifying around certain phases of your cycle.

• Food: While certain foods can trigger IBS for some, others may be more affected by how they eat. Eating too quickly, consuming large portions, or being distracted while eating can all play a role. A detailed food and symptom diary, including meal timings, can be an invaluable tool for identifying dietary triggers.

I cannot overstate how beneficial it is to track your symptoms alongside the above to truly understand your triggers.

Step 3 - Manage Stress

The gut-brain connection is a major player in IBS. Stress can trigger IBS flare-ups, and dealing with IBS symptoms is stressful—creating a frustrating cycle. Incorporating stress management into your daily routine is a crucial, long-term strategy for keeping IBS symptoms in check.

Now, DON’T ROLL YOUR EYES when I say this…

• Meditation: There’s strong scientific backing that regular meditation reduces stress, which in turn relaxes the digestive system. I am a firm believer that meditation is for everyone—you just need to find the type that works best for you!

• Exercise: It’s no secret that exercise relieves tension, boosts endorphins, and reduces stress. Plus it helps keep things moving if you’re prone to constipation.

• Deep breathing exercises: Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the calming branch of the nervous system). This puts our body into “rest and digest” mode, calming the digestive tract and reducing IBS symptoms. Try Box Breathing, 4-7-8 Breathing, or Alternate Nostril Breathing.

Step 4 - Make Some Small Changes To Your Eating Habits

How you eat can be just as important as what you eat.

• Eat smaller meals: Large meals can overwhelm the digestive system and trigger symptoms. Instead, try eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.

• Chew slowly and thoroughly: Digestion starts in the mouth, so take time to chew your food well. This can reduce bloating and discomfort.

• Limit carbonated drinks: The bubbles in fizzy drinks can lead to gas and bloating, so minimise your consumption of these.

Natural Medicine Can Help

Natural remedies can help in the prevention and alleviation of IBS symptoms, making them a valuable addition to your IBS management toolkit. However, it’s essential to seek guidance from a qualified naturopath, herbalist, or nutritionist when selecting herbs or supplements. High-quality supplements, in the correct form and dosage, are key to seeing real benefits. A professional can also advise you on the appropriate duration to take them for maximum effectiveness.

Your personal triggers will dictate which natural medicines will provide you with the most benefits.

• Magnesium: depending on the form of magnesium, some can assist with laxation, and some can assist in nervous system regulation.

• Peppermint: peppermint is carminative—this means it helps reduce spasms in the gut, which can help ease abdominal pain and bloating. Brewing a strong cup of loose-leaf peppermint tea or high quality oil supplements are great ways of incorporating peppermint into your toolkit.

• Probiotics: if you have overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, specific strains of probiotics, can improve gut health and alleviate symptoms like bloating and diarrhoea.

• Ginger: is a natural anti-inflammatory and can help soothe the digestive tract. Brew a fresh ginger tea or add it to your meals.

Naturopathy is such a great tool for someone with a collection of symptoms - because we treat the whole person based on their individual symptoms! Book in for a discovery call today to see if Naturopathy is suited to you.