Causes of IBS

IBS is classified as a ‘functional gastrointestinal disorder’ which in simple terms means: Your guts aren’t working properly. As a result, there can be an array of different reasons why this is the case. From the things you eat to the things you think, all of these might be causing your IBS to flare-up:

• Gastrointestinal Motility – Contractions in the intestines can cause food to move too quickly or slowly through the digestive tract
  
  
• Gut-brain Axis Dysfunction – Changes in the communication between the gut and brain, influenced by stress and anxiety (for example) can impact gut function and contribute to IBS symptoms
  
  
• Infection – IBS can develop after a severe bout of diarrhoea caused by bacteria or a virus. This is called gastroenteritis. IBS can also be associated with a surplus of bacteria in the intestines (bacterial overgrowth)
  
  
• Food intolerances – Certain foods can cause digestive symptoms
  
  
• Gut Microbiome – The imbalance of the composition of the gut microbiome can lead to IBS symptoms
  
  
• Genetic – There may be a genetic predisposition to developing IBS as it tends to run in families

It’s important to note that there might not be a definitive cause of your IBS. For example, you might find that a low FODMAP diet helps reduce symptoms but you still experience occasional flare-ups. That is why you should try a magnitude of different treatment options, with guidance from a doctor or healthcare professional, to get to the root cause of your IBS.

If you’re wondering how a doctor or healthcare might diagnose you with IBS in the first place, please check out the Diagnosing IBS page.