Symptoms, tests, and treatments – explained clearly
If you’re living with daily bloating, discomfort, or unpredictable bowels, you’ve probably wondered: “Do I have IBS or could it actually be SIBO?” This blog explains the differences, what tests can help determine if it is IBS or SIBO, and how a doctor led pathway can help you move from guesswork to treatments.
What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal condition caused by multiple factors including the gut-brain axis. IBS symptoms can include bloating, abdominal discomfort, or pain accompanied by changes in bowel patterns.
What is SIBO?
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is also a gastrointestinal condition caused by an excessive number of bacteria in the small intestine. SIBO symptoms include bloating, abdominal discomfort, chronic diarrhea and difficulties absorbing nutrients. People with SIBO may also experience unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite and nutritional deficiencies.
What symptoms do IBS and SIBO have in common?
Overlapping symptoms common to both IBS and SIBO include bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, cramping, gas, and urgent stools. Both SIBO and IBS can also cause fatigue (tiredness) and poor concentration or brain fog. Both IBS and SIBO patients can experience food intolerances.
IBS and SIBO produce nearly identical symptoms, and there is growing evidence of a relationship between the two conditions.
IBS vs SIBO – Symptoms, tests and treatments at a glance
Why SIBO tests matter for people with IBS symptoms
Research suggests that up to half of people with IBS symptoms may have SIBO. This matters because SIBO can be treated with antimicrobials or antibiotics.
A SIBO test can be a useful step to reveal underlying treatable causes behind IBS-like symptoms.
When to consider testing for SIBO
Consider a SIBO test if you have any of the following:
- Persistent bloating and gas
- Gut symptoms 30–90 minutes after eating
- IBS-like symptoms that haven’t responded to standard IBS advice
How can you determine if you have IBS or SIBO?
Luckily, SIBO can be easily diagnosed with a simple at-home SIBO breath test. This test will show whether the hydrogen and methane levels on your breath are above a specific threshold. You’ll need to drink a substrate first, which is designed to trigger gas production by microbes in the small intestine. You’ll receive a doctor-led diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan if you test positive for SIBO. Order a SIBO test if you’re unsure.
IBS is a little harder to diagnose – a single “IBS test” does not exist, so it’s essentially a process of elimination. Our IBS eBook explains that the Rome IV Criteria are used for diagnosis. This can help to determine the subtype of IBS present i.e. if it’s constipation dominant (IBS-C), diarrhea dominant (IBS-D) or mixed (IBS-M). IBS is a complex condition that requires a personalized approach, but many individuals can significantly improve their symptoms with the right management plan.
What treatments are available for SIBO?
If you test positive for SIBO, OMED Health offers a personalized treatment plan and treatments that could finally fix your symptoms in just 2 months.
Your OMED Health doctor will create a personalized treatment plan for you which may include antimicrobials or antibiotics. The treatment recommended will depend on whether your results indicate that you have SIBO or IMO (Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth, also known as methane-dominant SIBO).
Can breath testing help manage IBS symptoms?
The OMED Health breath analyzer allows you to see your real-time hydrogen and methane levels in your breath on our mobile app. These are gases produced by the bacteria and other microbes living in your gut. Breath analysis is therefore a great way to gain insights into the gut microbiome.
High levels of hydrogen and methane are often associated with symptoms like bloating and abdominal pain.
The OMED Health app allows you to track the foods you’ve eaten, sleep, stress levels, bowel movements, symptoms and more – all alongside your hydrogen and methane data. This means that you can start to monitor your changing gas levels over time and how your symptoms might be linked to different triggers.
The OMED Health breath analyzer and app can help you monitor whether changes in diet are improving your digestive health. People with IBS often investigate whether food triggers or food sensitivities may be responsible for their symptoms, or whether a low FODMAP diet could help to reduce IBS symptoms.
Unsure what’s causing your gut health issues?
If you are tired of guesswork and need clear answers with an integrated treatment pathway, we recommend purchasing our SIBO Test. This includes access to real-time gas levels in breath, doctor-led diagnosis and with a personalized treatment plan, if required.
We believe that everyone will have a unique response to different diets, lifestyle changes and medical treatments. That’s why it is crucial to have the support of a medical professional alongside you to support your journey to better digestive health.
