While it’s true that IBS is only diagnosed after eliminating “real” causes of a patient’s symptoms, it’s also true that IBS exists on its own right, and may be the end result of a number of various issues (e.g. preceding episodes of gastroenteritis, small bowel bacterial overgrowth, etc.).
(Updated .)Keyword: IBS
Why might irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) improve on a gluten-free diet?
As for IBS getting better when removing gluten, this may be either due to “non-celiac gluten sensitivity” or to the fact that by eliminating gluten one also removes large amounts of FODMAP (Fructose, Olygosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols)-containing foods that are often causing or aggravating symptoms in IBS patients. See also Barrett JS, Gibson PR…. Read more »
(Updated .)Do celiac patients typically have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
It’s not rare for celiac patients to have IBS, and those symptoms would not respond to a gluten-free diet. Celiac patients often have IBS-like symptoms, especially when exposed to gluten once starting a gluten-free diet.
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