--- title: "IBS" entity: "page" canonical_url: "https://www.healthflow.ca/ibs" markdown_url: "https://www.healthflow.ca/llms/page/ibs" lastmod: "2026-09-17T20:54:33.388Z" --- # IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Get targeted IBS testing - and relief that actually lasts. Bloating. Cramping. A gut that flares when stress hits or you eat the wrong thing. Most IBS treatments use the same generic protocol for every patient. You deserve a tailored plan that adjusts to your needs. [Healthflow Naturopathic](/) tests for what's actually driving your symptoms: food triggers, gut bacteria imbalances, stress-hormone patterns. Then we build a plan around your results - creating sustainable, long lasting relief. Book Online ## Quick Facts What it is: A chronic gut-brain disorder causing abdominal pain and bowel changes, without visible tissue damage. Common signs: Belly pain tied to bowel movements, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, or both. How it's diagnosed: Symptom-based criteria (Rome IV) plus ruling out look-alike conditions like SIBO, celiac disease, and IBD. Our approach: Identify what's actually driving your symptoms, whether gut, diet, microbiome, or nervous system, and build a plan around it. ## What is IBS? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, chronic condition that affects how your gut and brain communicate. It causes recurring abdominal pain, cramping, and changes in bowel habits. Unlike inflammatory bowel disease, it doesn't cause visible damage to the digestive tract. IBS affects an estimated 10–15% of adults. Many go undiagnosed for years. It's a "functional" diagnosis. That means it's identified by a consistent pattern of symptoms rather than a single lab test or scan. This is part of why it's so often confused with [SIBO](/sibo) (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), which causes very similar symptoms but is confirmed with breath testing. The two conditions overlap significantly. SIBO is thought to be an underlying driver in a meaningful share of IBS cases. IBS Subtypes - IBS-C: Constipation-predominant. Stools are mostly hard and lumpy. - IBS-D: Diarrhea-predominant. Stools are mostly loose and watery. - IBS-M: Mixed pattern, alternating between constipation and diarrhea. ## Symptoms of IBS Symptoms vary by subtype and by person. They often flare and ease over time. The most common include: - Abdominal pain or cramping, typically related to passing stool - Bloating and visible distension - Gas - Diarrhea, constipation, or an alternating pattern - A sense of incomplete bowel evacuation - Mucus in the stool - Symptoms that worsen with certain foods or during stressful periods As a general pattern, IBS symptoms tend to be more pain-predominant. SIBO tends to be more bloating-predominant. There's meaningful overlap, though, and the two are frequently mistaken for each other. ## What Causes IBS? IBS doesn't have one single cause. It's typically the result of several overlapping factors: - [Gut-brain axis dysregulation](/learning-center/gut-brain-axis-connection-with-anxiety-and-depression-links) : Miscommunication between the gut's nervous system and the brain can cause stronger, longer digestive contractions and heightened pain sensitivity. - Post-infectious changes: IBS can develop after a severe bout of gastroenteritis (food poisoning or a stomach bug), even after the original infection clears. - Altered gut microbiome: Differences in [gut bacteria](/learning-center/probiotic-strains-for-ibs-based-on-clinical-research), and sometimes undiagnosed SIBO, are common in people with IBS. - Early-life stress or trauma: A history of significant early-life stress is associated with a higher likelihood of developing IBS later on. - Food sensitivities: Certain foods (common culprits include wheat, dairy, high-FODMAP foods, and carbonated drinks) can trigger or worsen symptoms without being a true allergy. Chronic stress doesn't cause IBS on its own. It does reliably worsen symptoms in people who already have it. That's why nervous system support is often part of an effective plan alongside diet changes. Risk factors include being under age 50, a family history of IBS, and being female. IBS is diagnosed more often in women, for reasons that aren't fully understood. ## Possible Complications of Untreated IBS IBS isn't dangerous the way structural bowel diseases can be. Leaving it unaddressed can still take a real toll: - Hemorrhoids from chronic constipation or diarrhea - Reduced quality of life, missed work or school, and social avoidance around symptom flares - Worsening anxiety or low mood, which can in turn worsen IBS symptoms; a cycle that's often easier to break with the right support than people expect ## How IBS Is Diagnosed There's no single test that confirms IBS. It's diagnosed using the Rome IV criteria: a symptom-based framework requiring recurrent abdominal pain, on average at least one day per week over the last three months, associated with defecation and/or a change in stool frequency or form. Ruling out conditions that mimic IBS is just as important. These include SIBO, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and, when warranted by age or symptoms, colon cancer. This typically involves a detailed history plus targeted testing: bloodwork, stool testing, and often a SIBO breath test. SIBO is confirmed or excluded with testing rather than symptoms alone. Healthflow practitioners can order this testing directly, without a physician referral, through our functional testing services. ## The Healthflow Approach to IBS [Treat the root cause.](/naturopathic-medicine) Feel the difference. For IBS, that means going beyond the label. We look for what's actually driving your specific symptom pattern, then build a plan around it: - Rule out overlapping causes. Before assuming symptoms are "just IBS," we check for SIBO, [food sensitivities](/learning-center/food-sensitivity-test-in-calgary-best-options-cost), and other contributors that respond to different treatment. - Personalized diet strategy. Often a structured low-FODMAP elimination and reintroduction process, matched to your subtype (IBS-C, IBS-D, or IBS-M) rather than a generic food list. - Evidence-matched probiotics. Strain selection matters. Certain strains are better supported for constipation-predominant symptoms, others for diarrhea-predominant. - Nervous system support. The gut-brain axis plays a central role in IBS. Stress-reduction strategies are treated as clinical tools, not an afterthought. Care is available in-person at our Calgary clinic or virtually across Alberta. Direct billing is available for many extended health plans. ### What to Expect Walk out of your first visit with an actual plan - not a generic handout. Your 50-minute session with your ND covers: - Full symptom history, prior testing, diet, and stress levels - Whether SIBO or another overlapping condition needs ruling out first - A starting protocol you can act on that same day From there, your plan gets specific to your subtype: diet strategy, testing, probiotic recommendations - all built around your results. 25-minute follow-ups keep things moving. Track symptoms. Adjust what needs adjusting. No guesswork. ## When to Seek Immediate Medical Care Some symptoms warrant prompt medical evaluation rather than an assumption of IBS: - Rectal bleeding - Unintentional weight loss - Symptoms that wake you from sleep - Iron-deficiency anemia - First onset of symptoms after age 50 - A family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease Naturopathic care for IBS is meant to reveal the root-causes and address them for sustainable health. ## Get Clear Answers on IBS We'll review your symptoms and history, recommend the right testing, and build a treatment plan around your results - not a generic protocol. [Book Your Consultation →](/contact) ## Frequently Asked Questions Is IBS the same thing as SIBO? No, though they're closely related and often confused. IBS is a functional diagnosis based on symptom patterns. SIBO is a measurable bacterial overgrowth confirmed by breath testing. SIBO is thought to underlie a meaningful subset of IBS cases. That's why we often test for it before finalizing an IBS treatment plan. What's the difference between IBS-C, IBS-D, and IBS-M? These are the three main IBS subtypes, classified by predominant stool pattern. IBS-C involves mostly hard, lumpy stools (constipation-predominant). IBS-D involves mostly loose, watery stools (diarrhea-predominant). IBS-M involves a mix of both. Your subtype affects which dietary and treatment strategies are likely to help most. How is IBS diagnosed if there's no single test for it? IBS is diagnosed using symptom-based criteria (the Rome IV criteria) combined with ruling out other conditions that can look similar: SIBO, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or, when warranted, colon cancer. This typically involves a detailed symptom history plus targeted testing like bloodwork, stool testing, or a SIBO breath test. Can IBS be cured, or only managed? IBS is a chronic condition for most people. Many patients achieve substantial, lasting symptom relief once contributing factors are identified and addressed. The goal of naturopathic care is to find and treat the specific drivers behind your symptoms rather than manage them indefinitely with no underlying explanation. Do probiotics actually help with IBS? The evidence is mixed and strain-specific. Some probiotic strains have solid clinical support for certain IBS subtypes. Blanket probiotic use isn't well supported. Strain selection matters more than simply taking "a probiotic." That's why we match strains to your specific symptom pattern. Do I need a doctor's referral for IBS care at Healthflow? No referral is required. As licensed naturopathic doctors, our practitioners can take a detailed history, order relevant functional testing, and build a treatment plan directly. ## Related Reading Explore our learning centre to read more about IBS and other digestive concerns.