Bloating and Gut Health: When It Is More Than Just "IBS"
"It's just IBS."
For millions of people in the UK, this label is a dead end. You go to the doctor with painful bloating, unpredictable habits, and discomfort that dictates what you can wear and where you can go. You get a basic blood test (to rule out Coeliac disease) and are told to try probiotics or the FODMAP diet.
But Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a diagnosis of exclusion. It means "we know what it isn't, but we don't know what it is."
If your gut health is impacting your quality of life—making you cancel dinner plans or feel uncomfortable in your own skin—you deserve a deeper investigation than a 10-minute chat.
The Hidden Causes of Bloating
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
Sometimes, bacteria that should be in your large intestine migrate up to your small intestine. When you eat sugar or carbs, these bacteria feast on it instantly, producing massive amounts of gas right in your upper abdomen. This leads to that "looking 6 months pregnant" look after a meal.
The Solution: This often requires specific antibiotics (Rifaximin) which aren't always easily accessible, or herbal antimicrobials.
Food Intolerances (Not Allergies)
You might not be allergic to dairy (an immune response), but you might lack the enzyme to digest it (lactose intolerance). The same goes for fructose or histamine. Tracking these down requires forensic elimination work or specific breath testing.
Stress and the Gut-Brain Axis
Your gut is lined with neurons. If you are chronically stressed, your body shuts down digestion to focus on "survival." Food sits in your stomach longer, fermenting and causing distress. Treating the gut often means treating the stress response.
When to Worry (Red Flags)
While most bloating is benign (but miserable), there are signs that need immediate medical attention:
Unexplained weight loss.
Blood in your stool.
A change in bowel habit lasting more than 6 weeks (especially if you are over 40).
Family history of ovarian or bowel cancer.
If you have these, you need a referral, not a probiotic.
Speak to a GP about your digestive health
Moving Beyond the "IBS" Label
Managing gut health requires time. It involves reviewing your diet, your medication history (antibiotics can wreck your microbiome years later), and your lifestyle.
A private consultation gives us the time to act as a detective. We can discuss:
Advanced stool testing (calprotectin) to rule out inflammation.
Referrals to gastroenterologists for scopes if needed.
Prescription antispasmodics that are stronger than over-the-counter options.
You shouldn't have to live your life planning around the nearest toilet or wearing elasticated waistbands. Let's find out what is actually going on.