Stool Test Findings In Irritable Bowel Syndrome

by Eric Bakker N.D.

A comprehensive stool analysis (CSA) is an outstanding test for detecting irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A stool test can differentiate between IBS and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

If you want to get the best possible scope of information, I recommend doing a SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) breath test and a CSA at the same time. If possible, do both tests on the same day as you want them done very close together. The combination of these two tests is going to give you an excellent understanding of the bacteria in the whole gut.

The SIBO test will determine if your intestines contain a large number of hydrogen or methane-producing bacteria. If you have large amounts of hydrogen-producing bacteria, you can safely assume you’ve got SIBO.

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome is quite common. It affects a large chunk of the population. About half of people with IBS have developed the condition as a result of stress. The other 50% of people with IBS have the condition due to other causes such as food allergies, dysbiosis, Candida, and parasites.

Usually, when I spend about 20 or 30 minutes with a client, I can quickly work out if it’s IBS or IBD, just by looking at the case history. The tests help confirm my initial diagnosis.

A stool test is a very good way to determine if the bowel is irritated or inflamed. With IBD, there will be inflammatory markers found during the stool test. Inflammatory markers do not occur in IBS. With IBS, findings tend to include Candida and lots of different types of bacteria in large amount. Invariably. About 50% of people with IBS have a lack of beneficial bacteria.

Doing a stool test and the SIBO breath test will give you massive amounts of data. Your team can use that data to formulate a customized treatment plan.

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About Eric Bakker N.D.

Eric Bakker ND has completed almost ten years of study and has almost almost 25 years of clinical experience in natural and integrative forms of medicine, and has pursued continuous post-graduate study in Australia, America, India as well as in New Zealand.

Eric is the past Vice President of the NZ Natural Medicine Association and is currently on their editorial advisory board.