IBS Treatment
IBS affects up to 15% of the global population. A label is not a treatment plan.
More Than a Diagnosis of Exclusion
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and bloating in the absence of structural or biochemical abnormalities — affecting an estimated 10 to 15% of the global population, according to the American Journal of Gastroenterology. It is the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal condition worldwide, yet it is defined by what is absent rather than what is present, which means most patients receive a label without a mechanism.
The underlying drivers of IBS vary by patient and include gut-brain axis dysregulation, post-infectious gut dysbiosis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO — present in up to 78% of IBS cases per research in the American Journal of Gastroenterology), food sensitivities, and increased intestinal permeability. Because standard gastroenterology evaluations rarely screen for these mechanisms, most patients cycle through symptom management rather than resolution.
Our functional medicine team in Jacksonville and Orange Park uses comprehensive testing — including SIBO breath testing, food sensitivity panels, and gut microbiome analysis — to identify the specific mechanism driving each patient's IBS, then builds a targeted protocol to address the root cause rather than suppress symptoms.
Recognize the Signs
IBS is classified into subtypes — IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant), IBS-C (constipation-predominant), and IBS-M (mixed). Your symptom pattern guides the investigation.
Alternating Diarrhea and Constipation
Unpredictable bowel patterns that swing between loose stools and difficulty passing stool, sometimes within the same week.
Chronic Bloating
Persistent abdominal distension that worsens throughout the day and often intensifies after meals.
Abdominal Pain and Cramping
Recurring pain typically in the lower abdomen that may improve after a bowel movement but returns cyclically.
Urgency
A sudden, intense need to reach a bathroom that can cause anxiety and limit daily activities.
Incomplete Evacuation
The persistent feeling that a bowel movement is not complete, leading to frequent bathroom trips.
Excessive Gas
Increased gas production from bacterial fermentation of undigested food in the small or large intestine.
Food-Related Flare-Ups
Symptoms that predictably worsen after consuming specific foods, especially high-FODMAP items, dairy, or gluten.
What Is Actually Driving Your IBS
IBS is not a single disease. It is a collection of symptoms with multiple possible root causes. Identifying yours is what makes treatment effective.
- Gut-brain axis dysfunction and nervous system dysregulation
- Food sensitivities and intolerances (gluten, dairy, FODMAPs)
- Underlying SIBO or SIFO (present in up to 78% of IBS cases)
- Chronic psychological or physiological stress
- Post-infectious gut dysbiosis
- Impaired intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
- Histamine intolerance or mast cell activation
How We Treat IBS
We do not treat the label. We investigate the mechanism. Every IBS patient receives a thorough functional workup to identify the specific drivers behind their symptoms.
Comprehensive Functional Evaluation
Detailed health history, symptom mapping, and advanced lab work to uncover the specific drivers of your IBS — not just manage the label.
Food Sensitivity Testing
Identify the specific foods triggering your immune system with IgG/IgA testing, then build a targeted elimination and reintroduction plan.
SIBO and SIFO Screening
Breath testing and specialized diagnostics to rule out or confirm bacterial and fungal overgrowth as the underlying cause of your symptoms.
Gut Microbiome Restoration
Targeted probiotic protocols, prebiotic support, and dietary strategies to rebuild microbial diversity and restore normal gut function.
Stress and Nervous System Support
Evidence-based approaches to calm the gut-brain axis, including vagal tone exercises, adaptogenic support, and lifestyle modification.
Functional Medicine Consultations
IBS evaluations include comprehensive testing, dietary analysis, and a structured treatment protocol. Our team works with you through every phase — from diagnosis to resolution.
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Stop Managing Symptoms. Start Finding Answers.
IBS has a cause. Functional medicine finds it. Book your evaluation today.