IBS and SIBO: Is That Same?

Are any of these familiar? Bloating and pain. Infrequent bowel movements (constipation or diarrhea, or both). Excessive gas. Fatigue. Reflux. Abstinence cramping. Also, is your overall digestion just generally sluggish?

These symptoms can lead to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) for many. What is IBS? IBS is a condition that affects the large intestine and causes many of the symptoms listed above. You can also consult a specialist for natural SIBO methane treatment.

It can be used as a general diagnosis in many cases, even when more specific conditions, such as Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis have been ruled out. 

Although IBS does not cause any intestinal damage, it can certainly lead to unpleasant symptoms. The most common treatment is to modify your diet and occasionally take medication to relieve the discomfort.

We are learning that IBS is not just about the large intestine. Some people believe that the action is in the small intestine (SI). Researchers have discovered a condition in which bacteria imbalances occur in the SI. 

This opens the door to a host of symptoms similar to IBS. This condition is called Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. What if a lot of these people with IBS don't have IBS? What if it's SIBO

That is what the media is reporting. It is currently estimated that approximately 20% of Americans suffer from IBS. SIBO accounts for about 60%. This is something we should all stop and reflect on. Many IBS sufferers are misinformed about the treatment options available.

What is SIBO? And how can we treat it? We'll start by discussing normal digestion to help us understand what can go wrong with SIBO. Let's take a look at the digestive tract.

Our stomach contains an arsenal of acids that can be used to break down certain amino acids and kill any bacteria we ingest. As food travels through the body, it reaches the small intestine (SI), where the acid is neutralized.