02/26/2026
"Your tests look normal." But you don't feel normal. 🧩
Receiving an IBS diagnosis can be one of the most frustrating moments in a health journey. It often translates to: "We know you are in pain, and we know your digestion is off, but we don't know why. Here is a label."
But as naturopathic doctors, we view "IBS" as a starting point, not an ending.
The term Irritable Bowel Syndrome describes what is happening (discomfort, irregularity, bloating), but it fails to explain the mechanism. And if you don't know the mechanism, you can't truly heal it.
Often, "IBS" is actually a specific, treatable condition hiding in plain sight.
Swipe through to see the critical differences:
🌿 SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth): This isn't just "bad digestion." It’s a location issue. Bacteria that belong in the colon have migrated up to the small intestine. "Healthy" foods like salads, apples, garlic, and even probiotics make you feel worse.
🍞 Food Sensitivities: This is an immune response, not just "gas." It triggers inflammation that can affect your whole body. Symptoms are delayed. You might eat dairy on Monday but not feel the brain fog, joint pain, or skin flare-up until Wednesday.
🧠 Nervous System dysregulation: Sometimes, the gut is reacting to a state of chronic "fight or flight," where digestion physically shuts down.
Why does this distinction matter? Because the treatment for each is totally different. Treating SIBO with standard "IBS advice" (like eating more fiber) is like throwing gasoline on a fire.
You deserve to eat without fear. You aren't "just sensitive" or "difficult." Your body is sending you signals, and they are solvable.
https://www.simplicityhealthassociates.com/digestive-health-sibo-ibs-constipation-gerd-nyc-naturopathic-dr