IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is the drama queen of gut problems: your intestines “overreact” to everyday life with pain, bloating, and unpredictable bathroom calls, but without structural damage.

The cause? Picture a gut-brain group chat gone wild: abnormal muscle contractions, extra-sensitive nerves, gut microbes in the wrong mood, stress, and sometimes aftermath of infection (post-infectious IBS). Genetics and hormones can gate-crash the party too.

IBS stars in a bloated, crampy, gassy, and unpredictable comedy:

• Belly pain relieved after a bowel movement

• Bloating (waistbands beware)

• Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between both

• Mucus in the stool

Symptoms can wax, wane, and sometimes go “poof” for weeks, only to make a dramatic comeback

Think of diagnosing IBS as a classic detective story—no single lab test or x-ray shouts “Guilty!” Instead, we rely on patterns in your symptoms, a process of elimination, and a keen medical nose for detail.

The Rome IV Criteria (the official gut “whodunnit” checklist):

• You must have belly pain or discomfort at least 1 day per week, for the last 3 months.

• That pain has to be accompanied by at least two of the following:

  • The pain improves (or sometimes worsens) after you have a bowel movement

  • There’s a noticeable change in how often you have a bowel movement (more or less often)

  • There’s a change in how your stool looks (harder, looser, pellet-like, mushy, etc.)

We will ask about the “plot twists” in your bathroom schedule (“Have you noticed more diarrhea? More constipation? Both?”), and whether pain seems to come and go with bathroom visits.

Why so picky?
Because many things imitate IBS—like celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), infections, or even some cancers. That’s why the Rome IV Criteria serve as a filter, sifting “classic” IBS from more ominous lookalikes.

When to worry it’s not IBS?

• “Alarm” symptoms (“red flags”) mean stop the presses: Unexplained weight loss, GI bleeding, anemia, fever, or waking up at night because of symptoms

• These prompt us to order extra tests or scopes, just to be sure nothing more serious is lurking.

Bottom line:
If your symptoms fit the Rome IV script and we've ruled out major imposters, congratulations—you’ve cracked the IBS case. No invasive tests usually needed—just a thoughtful chat, maybe some basic bloodwork, and a plan that puts your gut (and your mind) at ease.

IBS can annoy, disrupt, and embarrass, but it won’t cause cancer, inflammation, or shorten your life. It’s about “how” your gut works, not “if” it’s falling apart. That said, don’t ignore “alarm” symptoms like blood in stool, fevers, or unexplained weight loss—these need real detective work

You bet. The gut and brain are BFFs—the “second brain” in your belly loves to overreact to stress, sending panic messages south. Anxiety and life stress can switch symptoms on or crank them up, though they’re not the original cause. That’s why our approach supports both your digestion and your nervous system—because treating one without the other just doesn’t cut it.

Yes! IBS isn’t just one-size-fits-all—think of it as a menu with three main “flavours,” each with its own quirks and game plan:

• IBS-D (Diarrhea-predominant):
  This is the “Dash for the bathroom” crew. Loose, urgent stools are the main act, often with cramping, bloating, and the need to know where every toilet is at all times. Treatment leans toward anti-diarrheal meds, low-FODMAP diet tweaks, and gut-soothing prescriptions like rifaximin.

• IBS-C (Constipation-predominant):
  Welcome to “Constipation Station.” Here, stools are hard, infrequent, and sometimes painful to pass. Patients may feel bloated, heavy, and frustrated. The go-to interventions? Fiber (soluble, not insoluble!), osmotic laxatives, plenty of hydration, and newer agents like linaclotide—plus, don’t forget the magic of movement!

• IBS-M (Mixed type):
  Also known as “Mix and Match.” This is for those who cycle between diarrhea and constipation—sometimes in the same week, or even the same day! Management is more nuanced: tracking triggers, flexible diet adjustments, and sometimes a combination of meds.

Why does this matter?
Because picking the right treatment depends on your IBS “personality.” For example, a constipation-busting drug for IBS-D could spell disaster, and vice versa. Identifying your type helps us craft the most effective, gentle plan—so your gut drama gets a fitting “happily ever after!”

Heartbreakers for IBS: high-FODMAP foods (beans, onions, garlic, apples, wheat, dairy, and more). The FODMAP diet is an evidence-based “elimination then reintroduction” plan to find food foes—most people (up to 80%) see improvement. Spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and fatty foods can also stir trouble. 

No “cure,” but IBS has plenty of peace treaties:

Diet—The Frontline Defense:

• Low-FODMAP Diet: The gold standard, backed by research. It’s like a “food detective” plan: you temporarily cut out certain gas-producing carbs (like onions, garlic, apples, and wheat) and then slowly reintroduce them to find your culprits. About 70–80% of IBS patients report improvement.

• Fiber: But choose wisely! Soluble fiber (think: flax, psyllium, oats, chia) can help both IBS-C and IBS-D. Insoluble fiber (bran, raw veggies) sometimes makes symptoms worse for sensitive guts. Add slowly!

• Food/symptom tracking: Spot your triggers—some folks flare with dairy, caffeine, or greasy snacks.

Probiotics—The Helpful Houseguests (Sometimes):

• Certain strains (like Bifidobacterium infantis or Lactobacillus plantarum) can settle gut tantrums, though not all probiotics are created equal. Think “gut matchmaking”—some will help, some won’t. Effects are mild to moderate, so set expectations accordingly.

Medications—When Food Just Isn’t Enough:

• Peppermint oil: Nature’s antispasmodic, it helps relax gut muscles and reduce cramping.

• Antispasmodics (like dicyclomine): Calm the overactive bowel for rapid symptom relief.

• Laxatives for IBS-C: Osmotic options (like PEG or magnesium) are gentle long-term friends.

• Anti-diarrheals for IBS-D: Loperamide or newer meds can slow the dash.

• Prescription upgrades:

  • IBS-C: Linaclotide, lubiprostone (pull water into the gut, ease stools).

  • IBS-D: Rifaximin (an antibiotic that targets “bad” gut bacteria).

• Gut-brain therapies: Tricyclic antidepressants or SSRIs at low dose can turn down pain signals between your noggin and your gut.

Psychological Tools—Meds for the Mind-Gut Superhighway:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Retrains your brain’s “alarm system” so gut blips don’t become full-blown sirens.

The Bottom Line:
No one-size-fits-all fix, and no true “cure”—but most people find real relief with the right combo. That might be a Low-FODMAP diet and fiber, a touch of peppermint oil, periodic probiotic experiments, and (for some) a little “brain-gut” TLC. The Gravity team will help craft your personal “peace treaty”—so you, not your bowels, set your daily agenda!