What causes chronic digestive issues like bloating and IBS?
Quick answer: Chronic bloating, IBS, reflux, constipation, and food intolerances are commonly caused by gut microbiome imbalances, low stomach acid, SIBO, food sensitivities, or stress-driven gut dysfunction. Naturopathic treatment identifies the specific driver in your case through structured assessment, not guesswork.
Digestive complaints are among the most common reasons clients seek naturopathic support, and they’re also among the most commonly mismanaged. Many of my clients have been told they have “IBS” — which is really a description of symptoms, not a diagnosis of cause. Effective treatment depends entirely on understanding what’s actually driving your digestive symptoms.
What are the most common digestive drivers you identify?
Gut microbiome imbalance (dysbiosis): An overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, yeast, or parasites — or a reduction in beneficial species — alters gut motility, increases gas production, and triggers immune activation. Research shows that microbiome diversity is a key predictor of digestive and overall health (Valdes et al., 2018, BMJ).
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO): Bacteria migrate from the large intestine into the small intestine, where they ferment carbohydrates prematurely — causing bloating within 30–60 minutes of eating, distension, gas, and altered bowel habits. SIBO is increasingly recognised as an underlying driver in a significant proportion of IBS cases.
Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria): Adequate stomach acid is essential for protein digestion, mineral absorption, and acting as a barrier against ingested pathogens. Low stomach acid is surprisingly common — particularly in clients over 40 or those who have used proton pump inhibitors long-term — and presents as bloating, reflux, and feeling overly full after meals.
Stress-driven gut dysfunction: The enteric nervous system — your “gut brain” — is directly connected to your central nervous system via the vagus nerve. Chronic stress reduces digestive secretions, alters gut motility, increases intestinal permeability, and shifts the microbiome composition (Konturek et al., 2011, Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology).
Food sensitivities: Distinct from food allergies, sensitivities involve a delayed immune response that can trigger bloating, skin changes, fatigue, and joint pain hours or days after consumption. I use structured elimination protocols rather than relying solely on food sensitivity testing, which can produce unreliable results.
How do you assess and approach digestive health?
My assessment begins with a detailed history of your digestive symptoms — timing, triggers, stool patterns, and associated symptoms. I look at the full picture: diet quality, stress load, medication history (particularly antibiotics and PPIs), and how digestive symptoms correlate with other health concerns like skin, mood, or energy.
Where clinically indicated, I may recommend functional testing such as comprehensive stool analysis to assess microbiome composition, inflammation markers, and digestive function. Treatment is then targeted to your specific findings — whether that’s antimicrobial herbs for dysbiosis, dietary modification for SIBO, digestive enzyme support, gut-lining repair with nutrients like glutamine and zinc, or stress management to restore vagal tone.
References: Valdes, A.M., et al. (2018). Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health. BMJ, 361, k2179. Konturek, P.C., et al. (2011). Stress and the gut. Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 62(6), 591–599.