Conditions Often Associated with IBS
IBS sufferers frequently have other symptoms or get diagnosed with other fancy terms. Listed below are many of the digestive symptoms frequently associated with IBS that we routinely treat in our IBS patients. We find that these symptoms are usually solved when our IBS patients get better. If you have any of these conditions, call us to schedule an appointment. We can help!
GERD, Heartburn, and Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes acid reflux (commonly called heartburn). GERD and IBS often go hand in hand (Dr. Nataskin in Digestive Diseases and Sciences) and are frequently solved together. It’s another way of saying that your digestive tract is irritated. We’re experts in helping people solve an irritated digestive tract. Call today!
Abdominal Migraines
Abdominal migraines is a diagnosis sometimes given to people, especially children, who suffer from severe stomach pain, nausea, abdominal cramping, and vomiting. (1) It’s a fancy way of saying that your stomach isn’t happy. In our experience, it’s another form of IBS and is just as treatable as IBS.Anal Itching or Burning
Anal itching and/or burning are sometimes found in people who have IBS, and the causes are often intertwined. Fortunately, the alleviation is usually intertwined as well!
Belching and Burping
Belching and burping are the results of excess gas production and another sign that you aren’t digesting your food well. This often goes hand in hand with IBS (3) and is usually readily solvable.Brainfog
Brain fog is a common complaint in IBS patients. Most doctors don’t know what to do with brain fog when you tell them that you have it. But we always want to know if you are experiencing brain fog, because it usually improves when your IBS improves. Watch this video for more information about this relationship.
Canker Sores
The mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract, and we’ve noticed that patients who suffer from canker sores are often healed when their IBS is resolved. (4)
Celiac Disease
When celiac disease patients don’t get better by avoiding gluten, then they are likely suffering from IBS, as discussed in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology. We can help with this.
Colic
Colic is the word used when babies suffer from gas, which is another way of saying IBS. Just because we don’t call it IBS in babies doesn’t make it different. Babies shouldn’t suffer from colic (gas) any more than adults should. We love treating babies, and find that they get better just like adults do!
Colitis
Colitis is a generic word for inflammation in the colon and was an older term for IBS. If you have colitis, then you probably have IBS. There are many different types of colitis. This video will explain them.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease and IBS aren’t as different as people often imagine. Many people suffer from both Crohn’s and IBS at the same time, and there is a tremendous amount of overlap (5) between the causes for each of these problems. We’ve helped many patients with Crohn’s and are experts in using tools that other doctors consider new and emerging for this field. If you want the latest Crohn’s disease treatment, call us immediately!
Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia is a fancy term for an upset stomach. This is commonly seen in IBS patients (6) and typically resolves with their IBS. Our former dyspepsia patients are relieved to be rid of it!Encopresis
Encopresis is a term used in children who have constipation. In our experience most children with encopresis are essentially suffering from IBS and there is a tremendous amount of overlap in their test results. (7) They improve just like our IBS patients. Unfortunately, the child is blamed for the problem when it isn’t their fault. If your child suffers from encopresis, call us today and get a second opinion!Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE)
Eosinophilic esophagitis is a specific type of inflammation in the esophagus. Eosinophils show up when there is an allergic reaction to something. Sometimes our IBS patients have this and it almost always is solved, even if they don’t have any other signs of IBS.
Fatigue
IBS and the things that cause IBS often cause fatigue, and therefore many IBS patients experience fatigue as part of their condition. Not only can the experience of IBS be exhausting, but having IBS is a sign that you aren’t digesting your food well, and that you are likely not getting the kind of nutritional value from your food that you would normally be getting. The key to improving your energy is solving your IBS. Once that happens, we frequently see energy significantly increase!
Functional Disorders
Functional digestive disorders are a broad category that literally means that your digestive tract is not functioning well. You probably already know that. It’s another way of saying that you have IBS. The implication is that you have a digestive problem because your body isn’t functioning well. But wait, that’s not helpful. We’re just going around in circles…. Call us today and we’ll get you off this hamster wheel!
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a fancy word that means that food is not leaving your stomach in a timely manner. This is another way of saying that your digestive tract is irritated. But why? Many of our IBS patients had suffered from gastroparesis (9) that completely resolved along with the IBS. Call to schedule an appointment, we’ll help you figure out the why.
Hemorroids
Hemorrhoids are an indication that there is some kind of irritation of the very lower end of the digestive tract. IBS, whether it involves diarrhea or constipation can create the kind of irritation that can lead to hemorrhoids. Watch this video for more information on the subject.
Indigestion
Indigestion is a general term for digestive problems. In our experience, most people with indigestion have IBS. (10)Inflammation
IBS patients often feel inflamed, and often report that some type of inflammation was seen during an endoscopy or colonoscopy. (11) This series of videos is about how problems in the digestive system can lead to inflammation not only in the digestive system, but throughout the body.Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
IBD is very often associated with IBS. This includes Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Many people have both IBS and IBD at the same time. Watch this video to learn more!
Microscopic Colitis
Microscopic colitis is a broad term that indicates that there is inflammation in your colon, and that the inflammation is primarily seen under the microscope. There are various types of microscopic colitis, and we’ve found that all of these are related to IBS. These include Collagenous Colitis, Lymphocytic Colitis, Eosinophilic Colitis, and Pseudomembranous Colitis.
Nausea
Nausea is often seen in IBS patients, and is related to IBS.
IBS generally involves the lower digestive tract, and of course nausea is
experienced in the upper digestive tract, but they are both part of the
digestive system. The cause of your nausea is usually related to the same
issues that are contributing to your IBS. And the good news is that we
typically find that the nausea resolves when your IBS resolves.
SIBO
SIBO stands for Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth. SIBO
is often seen in IBS, and can be either the cause of IBS, or the result of IBS.
We explain more about SIBO in this interesting video.
SIFO
SIFO stand for Small Intestine Fungal Overgrowth. And “fungal” is another way of say Candida, or yeast. This condition is frequently seen in IBS, and can be the cause of IBS. To learn more about Candida, watch this fascinating video on Candida Overgrowth Symptoms.
Stress/Anxiety
Stress is related to IBS, as you might imagine, for all kinds of reasons. However, having stress and/or anxiety does not mean that you have to have IBS. Watch this video to learn more about this unique relationship.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis is frequently associated with IBS, and many people with Ulcerative colitis also have IBS. Watch this video to learn more!
Weight Loss
It is not uncommon for people who are suffering from IBS to
experience weight loss. This is particularly problematic in people with constant
diarrhea because they are not absorbing their nutrients well. And no matter how much you eat, it just
rushes right through you. Solving your
IBS is the key to solving your weight loss.
Vomiting
If you’re vomiting, then your body is rejecting what you’re eating. Many of our patients have experienced the resolution of this problem, which shouldn’t be too surprising. It’s just IBS coming out the top end instead of the bottom end. (12)Resources:
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00128072
- https://web.a.ebscohost.com/abstract
- https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/21169110
- http://www.pediatricnursing.net/ce/2013/article115118
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1586/17474124.2014.876361
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1542356509006764
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/B:DDAS.0000011607
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4261279
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1018874602790
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/014107688307600305
- https://www.nature.com/articles/nrgastro.2010.4
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11467651