New York Post: Is It Really IBS?
The New York Post recently interviewed Ali Rezaie, MD, medical director of the GI Motility Program at Cedars-Sinai, about small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), its causes and treatments for the condition.
SIBO is a condition in which excess or misplaced bacteria in the small intestine lead to GI symptoms, including post-meal bloating, distension, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea and/or constipation, Rezaie told the New York Post. But patients who experience bloating, abdominal pain or irregular bowel movements often are misdiagnosed with IBS or delay seeking care altogether.
SIBO has historically been grouped with IBS because of the similar symptoms and lack of diagnostic tools, Rezaie, director of Bioinformatics at the Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program, told the New York Post.
“Until recently, symptoms like bloating were often lumped into general IBS without exploring microbial causes,” he said. “As research grows, awareness is increasing—but gaps still persist.”
Rezaie told the New York Post that patients can restore a healthy balance of gut bacteria and alleviate their symptoms by adopting the elemental diet—a liquid diet that has all essential nutrients and no allergens and irritants. He added that processed foods and a sedentary lifestyle have led to an overall increase in gut issues.
Rezaie recommends adopting healthy habits to maintain a balanced gut microbiome.
“Eat a diverse, whole-foods diet, minimize processed foods, stay active, sleep well and don’t ignore chronic symptoms—early care can make a big difference,” he said.
Click here to read the complete story on the New York Post.