SIBO & IBS

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One of the reasons there is greater awareness of SIBO is because of its association with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is a prevalent, chronic, gastrointestinal disorder with an average prevalence of 11%, making it one of the most common conditions worldwide. [8, 9] 
SIBO and IBS are related in several ways:
1) SIBO is often a cause of IBS.
2) SIBO and IBS have the same symptoms: bloating, abdominal pain/discomfort, and constipation and/or diarrhea.
3) One type of IBS, post-infectious IBS, and SIBO are the same condition.

1) SIBO is a Cause of IBS

Despite its high prevalence, the cause of IBS has been a mystery — to the great frustration of both patients and doctors. The groundbreaking and controversial news in recent years is that SIBO has been identified as a cause of IBS in a majority of cases. Approximately 60-70% of IBS cases are actually due to SIBO. [1] [2] [3] [4] Despite how common it is for SIBO to cause IBS, most patients and doctors are unaware of the connection. IBS is not always caused by SIBO, 30-40% of IBS cases have another cause (see Differential Diagnosis list below).

Two-thirds of IBS is caused
​by SIBO.

2) SIBO and IBS Have the Same Symptoms

IBS is diagnosed based on symptoms without any obvious cause: bloating, abdominal pain/discomfort, and constipation and/or diarrhea. One can be said to have IBS, simply when these symptoms are present, and colloquially these symptoms are often described as "IBS", whether the cause is known or not. Even once SIBO is diagnosed, a person can be said to have IBS also, since they have the symptoms known as IBS. However, many other conditions can cause these same symptoms, aside from SIBO (see Differential Diagnosis list below). And it's possible to have more than one cause of IBS, such as SIBO and yeast overgrowth (Candida/SIFO). To obtain the best treatment, the cause(s) should be identified. Because SIBO is the majority underlying cause of IBS (60-70%), it makes sense to test for SIBO anytime IBS is suspected or IBS symptoms are present.

Consider SIBO if the symptoms of IBS are present.

Differential Diagnosis List - conditions that share the same symptoms as SIBO & IBS.

3) SIBO and Post-infectious IBS are the Same Condition

Post-infectious IBS is a type of IBS that develops after exposure to food poisoning (acute gastroenteritis).[5] Though doctors had long known that post-infectious IBS occurred, it was only recently that research by Dr. Pimentel and team, identified that post-infectious IBS is actually SIBO.[6] See: How Food Poisoning Causes SIBO.

Further Reading

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Dr. Pimentel

• Books:  The Microbiome Connection, and A New IBS Solution 
• Article: Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Bacterial Overgrowth--What's Known and What to Do

Dr. Lin

• Article: SIBO: A Framework for Understanding IBS

Listen to the latest SIBO podcasts HERE

   Learn more

WHAT IS SIBO SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED DISEASES CAUSES TESTING TREATMENT SIBO DIET COURSES

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