IBS vs SIBO: What’s Causing Your Bloating and Gut Symptoms?

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Bottom Line: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) are two of the most common causes of chronic bloating, gas, and digestive discomfort. While they share overlapping symptoms, they have different root causes and require different treatment strategies.

At Health for Life Naturopathic Medicine in Scottsdale, we specialize in advanced digestive testing and personalized treatment plans to uncover and address the true source of your symptoms. If you’ve been told you have IBS but still feel unwell, it may be time to investigate further, SIBO could be at the root.

IBS vs SIBO: Understanding the Differences

Chronic bloating, gas after meals, abdominal discomfort, and unpredictable bowel habits are all too common. For many patients, the initial diagnosis is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). But what if the real issue is something deeper, like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)?

Dr. Barraza and our team at Health for Life Naturopathic Medicine in Scottsdale specialize in advanced digestive testing and individualized care to uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface.

What Is IBS?

IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It’s a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which means the structure of the gut appears normal, but how it functions is impaired.

Common IBS Symptoms:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating both
• Urgency or incomplete elimination

Abdominal pain is one of the most common and disruptive symptoms of IBS. It can range from dull, persistent aches to sharp cramping and is often triggered by stress, certain foods, or changes in gut motility. For a deeper understanding of how IBS-related pain develops and why it occurs, you can visit the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) resource on IBS-related pain, or schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your symptoms in more detail.

IBS is typically diagnosed when structural or inflammatory causes have been ruled out. While this diagnosis can be helpful, many people are left wondering why they still don’t feel well, even with medication or dietary adjustments. Some are told they will need long-term symptom management without a clear explanation of the underlying drivers.

At Health For Life Naturopathic Medicine, we work with patients who want to look deeper. Our goal is to investigate potential root contributors, such as dysbiosis, SIBO, inflammation, food sensitivities, or stress-related gut dysfunction, and create a personalized plan that supports lasting digestive improvement. If you’re ready to explore a more comprehensive approach to your IBS symptoms, we invite you to schedule a consultation.

What Is SIBO?

SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) happens when bacteria from the large intestine overgrow into the small intestine and begin fermenting food too early in the digestive process.

SIBO is also one of the most common underlying causes of IBS symptoms. In fact, studies suggest that over 50% of people diagnosed with IBS may actually have SIBO as the root of their digestive issues.

SYMPTOM	IBS	SIBO
Bloating	Common, varies day to day	Often worsens within 1–2 hours after eating
Gas	Present, may vary	Foul-smelling or excessive, especially after meals
Abdominal Pain	Triggered by stress, hormones, food	Often linked to eating; may feel like pressure
Bowel Habits	Diarrhea, constipation, or both	Same, but may also include undigested food or mucus
Symptom Relief	May improve with stress reduction	May improve with antibiotics or fasting
Fatigue or Brain Fog	Sometimes	Frequently reported
Nutrient Deficiencies	Less common	More common (B12, iron, etc.)

According to a systematic review published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology, SIBO appears to occur more frequently in individuals with IBS than in those without, suggesting that bacterial overgrowth may help explain persistent bloating and gas in many IBS cases.

How Are IBS and SIBO Diagnosed?

Conventional medicine often uses IBS as a catch-all diagnosis when basic tests appear normal. SIBO, meanwhile, is commonly missed unless more advanced testing is pursued.

Naturopathic Approach: Functional Testing & Clinical Patterns

At Health for Life Naturopathic Medicine, we offer a comprehensive evaluation of your digestive health, including:

• Breath testing for SIBO (lactulose or glucose test to measure hydrogen and methane gas)
• Comprehensive stool testing to assess microbiome imbalances, inflammation, and digestive function
• Nutrient and absorption panels to identify deficiencies
• Food sensitivity testing when appropriate

These tools help us differentiate between IBS, SIBO, dysbiosis (general imbalance), leaky gut, or other underlying causes of your symptoms.

How to Tell the Difference Between IBS and SIBO

It’s not always easy to distinguish IBS from SIBO based on symptoms alone, but there are a few key clues. IBS tends to be more chronic and tied to stress, food sensitivities, or gut-brain imbalances. Symptoms may come and go, flaring with emotional stress or hormonal shifts.

SIBO, on the other hand, often causes a more immediate and physical reaction, especially after eating. Common red flags include:

• Bloating that worsens with meals, particularly carbs or fiber
• Gas and discomfort shortly after eating
• Feeling better when fasting or after taking antibiotics
• A history of digestive setbacks, like food poisoning or abdominal surgery or even chronic antibiotic use in the past

If these patterns sound familiar, it’s worth testing for SIBO, especially if you’ve been treated for IBS without lasting relief.

IBS vs SIBO: Why the Difference Matters

While IBS and SIBO can have similar or overlapping symptoms, the way we treat them is entirely different. IBS is typically managed through diet adjustments, fiber supplements, stress reduction, and sometimes medications that target symptoms. But these strategies don’t resolve bacterial overgrowth, which is the root cause of SIBO.

SIBO requires a more targeted approach, using antimicrobials (herbal or pharmaceutical), specific diets to reduce fermentation, and motility support to prevent recurrence. Without addressing the bacterial imbalance, symptom-focused treatments often provide only temporary relief. That’s why getting the diagnosis right from the start is essential. Discover natural treatment options for SIBO on our blog!

The Health For Life Naturopathic Approach to IBS & SIBO

At Health for Life Naturopathic Medicine, we take a root-cause approach to digestive concerns. Dr. Barraza and our team start with a detailed intake and may recommend digestive testing like breath or stool analysis to clarify what’s driving your symptoms.

Based on your results, we create a personalized plan that may include nutrition changes, targeted supplements, herbal or prescription treatments, and stress support. We also offer in-office therapies like IV nutrient therapy, acupuncture, and hormone balancing to support whole-body healing, especially for those dealing with fatigue, inflammation, or chronic stress.

Can Peptides Help Heal The Gut?

For patients with long-standing digestive issues like SIBO, IBS, or leaky gut, healing often goes beyond diet changes and antimicrobials. Chronic inflammation, damage to the intestinal lining, and slowed tissue repair can keep symptoms lingering long after initial treatment.

That’s where regenerative and immune-modulating peptides may play a supportive role. At Health For Life Naturopathic Medicine, our doctors sometimes incorporate peptides such as BPC-157, TB-500, the Wolverine blend (a combination of both), and KPV as part of a comprehensive gut-healing plan.

While BPC-157 and TB-500 are often used to support tissue repair and reduce inflammation, KPV (Lysine-Proline-Valine) is a peptide fragment known for its ability to calm inflammatory cytokines, support wound healing in the gut lining, and offer antimicrobial benefits. Because IBS and SIBO are frequently driven by inflammatory and immune imbalance, KPV can be a valuable addition when clinically appropriate.

These peptides are selected based on individual presentation and may help:

• Support repair of the intestinal lining
• Reduce inflammatory signaling in the gut
• Promote recovery from chronic irritation
• Complement herbal or pharmaceutical treatment strategies

As always, peptide therapy is carefully supervised and integrated into a broader, personalized digestive care plan.

If you want to learn more about how peptides like BPC-157 or Wolverine can support healing from within, check out our in-depth post: What’s New in Healing & Health for 2026: Peptide Therapy in Scottsdale.

Or explore how AOD 9604 may play a role in metabolic health and weight loss alongside gut-focused care: AOD 9604 Peptide Benefits & Uses in Naturopathic Care.

You Deserve Real Answers

Whether you’ve been living with an IBS diagnosis for years or just started noticing digestive issues, it’s time to go deeper. Our gut health specialists in Scottsdale can help uncover whether SIBO, dysbiosis, or other imbalances are at the root of your symptoms.

You don’t have to live with daily bloating, gas, or discomfort. We’re here to help you feel better, naturally.

Become a patient today and let’s build a clear path forward.

FAQs: IBS vs SIBO

Struggling with IBS or SIBO symptoms in Scottsdale?

You don’t have to navigate digestive issues alone. At Health for Life Naturopathic Medicine in Scottsdale, our gut health experts take time to understand your symptoms, explore root causes like IBS, SIBO, or dysbiosis, and create personalized care plans that support long-term healing, not just symptom relief.

If you’re ready for real answers and real results, let’s get to the root of it together.

Start your journey— Become a Patient today.

👉 Book your appointment here
👉 Or call us directly at 602-368-9211

Better digestion starts with clarity. Let’s create a plan that supports your body from the inside out.

Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All treatments, whether for IBS, SIBO, or other digestive conditions, are recommended based on individual evaluation by a licensed naturopathic doctor. Health for Life Naturopathic Medicine does not offer one-size-fits-all solutions, and treatment protocols are administered only under clinical supervision and based on medical necessity. Always consult with your provider before starting any new treatment.

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