Many patients who have been given the non-descript diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) routinely notice that eating healthy foods such as many different types of vegetables and fruits, causes an increase in their symptoms - abdominal bloating, abdominal discomfort, burping, flatulence, heartburn, nausea, and poor quality bowel movements. Whole grains, although not considered healthy for many people, also seem to cause an increase in these symptoms.
SIBO and the IBS Connection
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a relatively new diagnosis. Over the past 15 years, it has gained acceptance in the medical community and there has been a large amount of research done regarding SIBO and its associated conditions. Perhaps the most well researched condition associated with SIBO is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Research from 2003 showed that 84% of IBS patients showed an abnormal result on the lactulose breath test (LBT). That means 84% of patients diagnosed with IBS also tested positive for SIBO.