What's Lurking Under your IBS?
By Dr. Erica Volk, ND | Last updated July 23, 2026
If you've been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, or "IBS" by your general practitioner, here's a secret: there may be other underlying causes of your symptoms!
What would your life be like if you could go about your day without the daily bloating, heartburn, abdominal pain, or, let's face it, embarrassingly loud and smelly or painful bowel movements in the public washroom at work? How would that free you? How would this change your mood and overall sense of well-being and life satisfaction?
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How do you know if you have IBS?The diagnosis of "IBS" is based on certain criteria, or fitting a pattern and timing of digestive symptoms.
The trouble is that the pattern and timing of digestive symptoms of "IBS" is the same pattern and timing of symptoms we can see in several other digestive disorders like an intestinal parasite infection, celiac disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), intestinal candida (yeast) overgrowth, food sensitivities, and more. |
How do you properly diagnose digestive problems?
If you have chronic digestive problems, the first step is to meet with your doctor to discuss your symptoms and get some lab testing done. Your physician should then make sure you don't have any of these other potential underlying problems before diagnosing you with "IBS." Some of the reasonable and appropriate lab tests for "IBS" symptoms include:
Even if all lab tests and imaging studies are normal, it's possible your nervous system or chronic anxiety are causing your digestive symptoms. Both of these problems can be treated.
Before accepting your diagnosis of IBS (or just assuming you have it), I recommend thorough lab testing.
You can ask your doctor which tests have been done regarding your digestive symptoms and then ask whether there are specific tests you might still need. If your doctor is unable to order tests for you, you may benefit from consulting with a different doctor.
If you have chronic digestive symptoms, you deserve a thorough evaluation of the potential underlying causes before being diagnosed with IBS. Finding the root cause of digestive issues can be easier than you think – but you need to know what to look for! It can require more self-advocacy than most people are used to!
I am a digestive health expert and nothing makes me happier than to help patients resolve their chronic digestive problems. You deserve to have a happy gut, and more than likely, it is possible!
Learn more about my approach to treating digestive issues and IBS. You can learn more about working with me. Whether you're looking for a naturopath in Kelowna or BC, you can book an appointment right away for an in-person or virtual appointment.
- blood testing to rule out celiac disease
- a stool culture (for bacterial infection)
- a stool parasite test
- blood testing to rule out Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection
- iron and vitamin B12 testing
- thyroid testing
- blood testing to assess your liver
- blood testing to assess your gallbladder
- Imaging studies (ultrasound, CT scan, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy)
Even if all lab tests and imaging studies are normal, it's possible your nervous system or chronic anxiety are causing your digestive symptoms. Both of these problems can be treated.
Before accepting your diagnosis of IBS (or just assuming you have it), I recommend thorough lab testing.
You can ask your doctor which tests have been done regarding your digestive symptoms and then ask whether there are specific tests you might still need. If your doctor is unable to order tests for you, you may benefit from consulting with a different doctor.
If you have chronic digestive symptoms, you deserve a thorough evaluation of the potential underlying causes before being diagnosed with IBS. Finding the root cause of digestive issues can be easier than you think – but you need to know what to look for! It can require more self-advocacy than most people are used to!
I am a digestive health expert and nothing makes me happier than to help patients resolve their chronic digestive problems. You deserve to have a happy gut, and more than likely, it is possible!
Learn more about my approach to treating digestive issues and IBS. You can learn more about working with me. Whether you're looking for a naturopath in Kelowna or BC, you can book an appointment right away for an in-person or virtual appointment.
