Is IBS Really for Life? The Truth About Root Causes, Trauma & Gut Healing

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common yet misunderstood digestive disorders. Characterized by chronic symptoms like bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, and irregular bowel movements, IBS affects an estimated 10–15% of the global population, with a significant number remaining undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years.

Many people are told, “you just have IBS,” and left to manage their symptoms indefinitely — as if it were a lifelong sentence.
But IBS is not a disease; it is a diagnosis of exclusion. And more often than not, it’s a sign of something deeper going on in the digestive, nervous, or immune systems.

What Is IBS?

IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder — meaning there are no visible signs of disease on imaging or endoscopy, yet the symptoms are very real. It is diagnosed based on the Rome IV criteria which include recurrent abdominal pain associated with changes in stool form or frequency for at least three months. In addition a medical questionnaire, blood and stool tests, and additional psychological tests may be used in the diagnosis process.

IBS Subtypes:

• IBS-C (constipation-predominant)

• IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant)

• IBS-M (mixed, alternating constipation and diarrhea)

• IBS-U (unclassified)

While symptoms vary, common complaints include:

• Chronic bloating and gas

• Cramping or abdominal pain (often relieved by bowel movements)

• Changes in bowel frequency or consistency

• Feeling of incomplete evacuation

• Mucus in the stool

• Food-related discomfort or reactions, even without clear allergies

IBS Is Not Just in Your Head — But the Gut-Brain Axis Plays a Role

IBS has traditionally been viewed as a “psychosomatic” condition, especially when no structural issue is found. But modern research shows that IBS is a complex interaction between the gut, brain, microbiota, and immune system — not simply a stress disorder or a digestive one.

Emerging studies show that many people with IBS have:

• Altered gut microbiome composition (dysbiosis or SIBO)

• Increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”)

• Heightened nerve sensitivity in the gut

• Changes in gut motility and transit time of stool

• Post-infectious changes in the gut lining or immune signaling

• Heightened response to stress through the gut-brain axis
  

Is IBS Chronic?

Here’s where we challenge the conventional thinking.

Although IBS is considered a chronic condition in conventional medicine, this definition often overlooks the fact that IBS is symptom-based, not cause-based. Many of the underlying drivers — such as SIBO, food sensitivities, gut infections, or post-infectious inflammation — are identifiable and treatable.

What This Means:

If we identify the root cause, the symptoms labeled as "IBS" often resolve.

In clinical practice, many clients see significant improvement or full remission once we address:

• Microbial imbalances or overgrowth

• Gut barrier dysfunction

• Nervous system dysregulation

• Specific dietary triggers

• Hormonal imbalances

Managing IBS: Beyond Symptom Relief

If you’ve been diagnosed with IBS, you’ve likely been told to "eat more fiber," "try a low FODMAP diet," or "reduce stress." While these can offer temporary relief, they rarely get to the heart of the issue.

The most effective way to manage — and potentially reverse — IBS is to investigate and address the underlying causes. That’s because IBS is not a singular condition, but a cluster of symptoms triggered by different root causes in different individuals.

Root Cause Investigation: Why IBS Is Not a One-Size-Fits-All Diagnosis

What works for one person with IBS-D may not work for someone else with IBS-C. Even within the same subtype, the root cause may be completely different.

Some of the most common contributing factors include:

• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

• Dysbiosis (microbial imbalance in the large intestine)

• Post-infectious IBS (triggered by food poisoning or gut infections)

• Gut-brain axis dysregulation

• Intestinal permeability (leaky gut)

• Food intolerances and sensitivities

• Hormonal fluctuations, especially in women

• Chronic stress or unresolved trauma

This is why working with a practitioner who uses a functional, root-cause approach — rather than symptom suppression — can lead to long-term relief and even complete resolution in many cases.

IBS and Trauma: The Missing Piece in Many Conversations

A growing body of research is now connecting early-life stress and trauma with the development of IBS.

A large-scale study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that individuals with IBS are significantly more likely to report a history of childhood trauma, abuse, or neglect compared to the general population. Trauma, whether experienced in childhood or later in life, can lead to long-lasting changes in the gut-brain axis, immune response, and nervous system regulation — all of which play a role in IBS.

This means that for some individuals, IBS is not just a gut issue — it's a physiological response to stored stress or trauma.
The vagus nerve, which connects the brain and digestive tract, plays a critical role here. When the body is in a chronic state of "fight or flight," digestion slows, gut motility becomes erratic, and inflammation can rise — all setting the stage for IBS symptoms.

If this resonates with you, know that your symptoms are not imagined — and they are not your fault. They are the body’s intelligent response to past overwhelm. Addressing trauma through somatic work, nervous system support, or integrative therapies can be a crucial piece of the healing puzzle.

IBS Can Be Reversed — But Not With a Generic Approach

You deserve more than a band-aid.
You deserve answers and resolution.

IBS is not a life sentence — it is a signal that your body needs deeper attention. Through advanced testing, personalized nutrition, nervous system regulation, and a clear understanding of your health history, it is absolutely possible to experience lasting relief.

You don’t have to live with discomfort.
Whether your IBS symptoms are new or something you’ve been managing for years, you deserve a plan that looks at your whole story — not just your gut.

In my practice, I use a root-cause, functional approach that considers your microbiome, immune system, hormones, trauma history, and lifestyle to create a plan tailored to you.

👉 Ready to explore what’s behind your IBS symptoms?
Book a free discovery call to see if a personalized healing approach is right for you.

Want to assess how your gut health is going? Download my free resource: 📥 Gut Health 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Digestive Healing.

Citation:

Bradford, K., Shih, W., Videlock, E. J., Presson, A. P., Naliboff, B. D., Mayer, E. A., & Chang, L. (2012). Association between early adverse life events and irritable bowel syndrome. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 10(4), 385–390.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2011.11.017