April is dedicated to raising awareness, offering support, and providing the latest education
about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). SIBO and
IBS are common gastrointestinal disorders that often overlap and can result in frustrating gut
symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, constipation, gas, and abdominal discomfort. While there are
many symptoms that IBS and SIBO share, these conditions are clinically detected in two very
different ways.
Did You Know…
There are three main types of IBS: IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant), IBS-C (constipation-predominant), and IBS-M (diarrhea-constipation mixed).
>60% of IBS cases have a diarrheal component.
The leading cause of IBS is food poisoning.
1 in 9 people who experience food poisoning will develop IBS.
IBS can be an autoimmunity.
SIBO shares almost identical symptoms to IBS.
Approx. 80% of patients with IBS may also have SIBO.
IBS can be managed with a doctor-designed personalized treatment plan.
SIBO can be treated with lifestyle changes and medications.
There are biomarkers for IBS that can be detected in a patient’s blood.
SIBO releases gas detectable in a patient’s exhaled breath.
Testing for IBS
There is only one inclusionary test for IBS available that measures the two IBS biomarkers
found in the blood in patients with post-infectious IBS, or IBS caused by food poisoning. This
antibody blood test requires a small collection of blood that is then measured for anti-CdtB and
anti-vinculin. If either of the antibodies (biomarkers) for IBS are elevated, you can confidently
and clinically rule in IBS. Diagnosing IBS through a blood test allows your doctor to personalize
a treatment plan to get you feeling better quickly!
To learn more about ibs-smart®, the blood test for IBS, please visit ibssmart.com.
Testing for SIBO
There is only one test available for SIBO that can measure all three of the primary gases found
in the gut microbiome. SIBO is identified through a breath test. A patient's breath is captured
and analyzed looking for three fermented gases: hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen sulfide. If
any of the gases are abnormally elevated after consuming a sugar substrate drink, then a
variation of SIBO can be ruled in. Once SIBO is detected, your doctor can then prescribe the
appropriate treatment plan.
To learn more about trio-smart®, the breath test that aids in the diagnosis of SIBO, IMO, and
excess hydrogen sulfide, please visit triosmartbreath.com.