Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Persistent abdominal pain, unpredictable bowel movements, and that constant worry about when symptoms will strike aren't just "stress"—they're signs of a complex gut-brain disorder that affects millions. Research shows that up to 70% of people diagnosed with IBS actually have underlying treatable conditions like SIBO, food sensitivities, or gut microbiome imbalances, which is why our team prioritizes uncovering the true root cause of your symptoms.
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What Exactly Is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits without structural abnormalities. It is one of the most common chronic conditions seen at the gastroenterologist’s office and often the most frustrating for patients. Many people get lumped into this diagnosis and provided few effective treatments. As a disorder of gut-brain interaction, IBS involves complex communication between your digestive system and nervous system. While many patients receive an IBS diagnosis, by default, true healing comes from identifying and treating the underlying conditions that are driving your symptoms—whether that's unresolved stress, bacterial overgrowth, food reactions, dysbiosis, or other digestive imbalances.

Types of IBS and Their Characteristics

IBS is classified based on predominant bowel patterns. Each subtype requires a tailored approach to identify underlying causes and develop effective treatment strategies.

Type Primary Pattern Common Symptoms Considerations
IBS-D (Diarrhea-Predominant) Loose, frequent stools Urgency, abdominal cramping, frequent bowel movements Often linked to bacterial overgrowth, food sensitivities, or bile acid malabsorption
IBS-C (Constipation-Predominant) Infrequent, hard stools Straining, bloating, feeling of incomplete evacuation May involve motility issues, methane-producing gut bacteria, or pelvic floor dysfunction
IBS-M (Mixed Pattern) Alternating diarrhea and constipation Variable symptoms, unpredictable patterns Requires comprehensive evaluation for multiple underlying triggers
IBS-U (Unclassified) Insufficient criteria for other subtypes Inconsistent bowel patterns Often benefits from detailed symptom tracking and functional testing

Why IBS Impacts More Than Digestion

IBS extends far beyond digestive symptoms due to the intricate gut-brain connection and systemic inflammation. The condition can disrupt nutrient absorption, trigger immune responses, and affect neurotransmitter production in the gut—your body's "second brain." This can lead to fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, sleep disturbances, and even mood changes. Additionally, chronic inflammation from unresolved gut issues can contribute to joint pain, skin problems, and hormonal imbalances, making comprehensive treatment essential for overall wellness.
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Common Signs of IBS Include:

  • Chronic abdominal pain or cramping
  • Bloating and excessive gas
  • Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating patterns
  • Urgency or feeling of incomplete bowel movements
  • Mucus in stools
  • Symptom flare-ups with stress or certain foods
  • Fatigue and sleep disruption
  • Anxiety, depression, or mood changes
  • Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

Diagnostic Options at Whole Gut Health

Accurate diagnosis means looking beyond surface symptoms to uncover root causes. At Whole Gut Health, we do a deep dive and a comprehensive root cause approach to identify the underlying conditions often misdiagnosed as IBS.

Testing options may include:

  • SIBO Breath Testing using glucose or lactulose substrates to detect bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
  • Applied Kinesiology also known as muscle testing to determine root causes and triggers.  Applied Kinesiology allows a for a much broader ability to determine root causes than laboratory tests. 
  • Osteopathic Visceral Evaluation to assess physical restrictions, symmetry, and subtle motions of the internal organs.   This provides information on the function of the organs as well as their associated meridians.
  • Comprehensive Stool Analysis to assess gut microbiome balance, inflammation markers, and digestive function.
  • Organic Acids Testing to evaluate for fungal overgrowth and metabolic imbalances.
  • Functional Lab Work including nutrient assessments, inflammatory markers, and hormonal evaluations.

We customize testing protocols based on your unique symptom pattern and medical history to ensure we identify all contributing factors.

Why Whole Gut Health
Is Different

At Whole Gut Health, we go beyond conventional symptom management and traditional functional medicine protocols. We trust your body's innate ability to heal itself when given the right support. In Dr. Shustina's many years of practice, she has seen that many digestive diseases have their root cause in emotional traumas and unhealed wounds. When these underlying causes are healed, the body can heal from the inside out in a lasting way. We focus on the mind-gut connection, incorporating energy healing techniques, personalized nutrition that evolves as you heal, and integrative approaches addressing mind, body, and spirit. If this resonates with you, contact our office to schedule your consultation and take the first step on your healing journey.

Our IBS Treatment Approach

Our Three-Phase IBS Protocol Includes:

1. Assessment and Root-Cause Identification

  • Detailed symptom and dietary history analysis
  • Identification of triggers including:
    • SIBO or other bacterial imbalances
    • Food allergies and sensitivities
    • Motility disorders
    • Stress and gut-brain dysfunction
    • Hormonal influences

2. Targeted Intervention

  • Treatment of underlying conditions (SIBO, dysbiosis, etc.)
  • Personalized diets and food reintroduction protocols
  • Targeted supplementation for nutrient deficiencies
  • Stress management and gut-brain support treatments including energy medicine and breathwork
  • Motility treatment with visceral manipulation

3. Rebuilding and Prevention

  • Comprehensive gut healing and microbiome restoration
  • Long-term dietary and lifestyle optimization
  • Stress resilience building and nervous system support
  • Ongoing monitoring to prevent symptom recurrence
  • Sustainable wellness strategies for lasting results
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Expert-Led, Patient-Centered Care

Dr. Alexandra Shustina, NYC’s and Miami’s premier gut health specialist doctor is a board-certified gastroenterologist and internist. She is a gut health specialist with training in conventional gastroenterology and functional gut health. She is an expert in the gut microbiome and its role in health and wellness.

At Whole Gut Health, our care is led by an an experienced functional medicine team with a deep understanding of the gut microbiome and advanced diagnostics. We combine evidence-based strategies from conventional gastroenterology with a functional and integrative lens to give you the clarity and support needed for long-term healing.

Frequently Asked Questions

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits without structural abnormalities. As a disorder of gut-brain interaction, it involves complex communication between your digestive system, stress, nutrition, and old emotional traumas

IBS-D (Diarrhea-Predominant)

  • Primary pattern: Loose, frequent stools
  • Common symptoms: Urgency, abdominal cramping, frequent bowel movements
  • Often linked to bacterial overgrowth, food sensitivities, or bile acid malabsorption

IBS-C (Constipation-Predominant)

  • Primary pattern: Infrequent, hard stools
  • Common symptoms: Straining, bloating, feeling of incomplete evacuation
  • May involve motility issues, methane-producing gut bacteria, or pelvic floor dysfunction

IBS-M (Mixed Pattern)

  • Primary pattern: Alternating diarrhea and constipation
  • Common symptoms: Variable symptoms, unpredictable patterns
  • Requires comprehensive evaluation for multiple underlying triggers

IBS-U (Unclassified)

  • Primary pattern: Insufficient criteria for other subtypes
  • Common symptoms: Inconsistent bowel patterns
  • Often benefits from detailed symptom tracking and functional testing

  • Chronic abdominal pain or cramping
  • Bloating and excessive gas
  • Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating patterns
  • Urgency or feeling of incomplete bowel movements
  • Mucus in stools
  • Symptom flare-ups with stress or certain foods
  • Fatigue and sleep disruption
  • Anxiety, depression, or mood changes
  • Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

Accurate diagnosis of the root causes of IBS means looking beyond surface symptoms.

SIBO Breath Testing

  • Uses glucose or lactulose substrates
  • Detects bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine
  •  

Applied Kinesiology also known as muscle testing.  It is used to determine root causes and triggers.  Applied Kinesiology allows a for a much broader ability to determine root causes than laboratory tests. 

Osteopathic Visceral Evaluation assesses physical restrictions, symmetry, and subtle motions of the internal organs.   This provides information on the function of the organs as well as their associated meridians.

Comprehensive Stool Analysis

  • Assesses gut microbiome balance
  • Checks inflammation markers and digestive function

Organic Acids Testing

  • Evaluates for fungal overgrowth and metabolic imbalances

Functional Lab Work

  • Includes nutrient assessments, inflammatory markers, and hormonal evaluations

Testing protocols are customized based on your unique symptom pattern and medical history.

Phase 1: Assessment and Root-Cause Identification

  • Detailed symptom and dietary history analysis
  • Identification of triggers including SIBO, food sensitivities, motility disorders, stress factors, and hormonal influences

Phase 2: Targeted Intervention

  • Treatment of underlying conditions (SIBO, dysbiosis, etc.)
  • Personalized diets and food reintroduction protocols
  • Targeted supplementation for nutrient deficiencies
  • Stress management and gut-brain support treatments
  • Motility treatment

Phase 3: Rebuilding and Prevention

  • Comprehensive gut healing and microbiome restoration
  • Long-term dietary and lifestyle optimization
  • Stress resilience building and nervous system support
  • Ongoing monitoring to prevent symptom recurrence
  • Sustainable wellness strategies for lasting results

Each IBS subtype requires a tailored approach to identify underlying causes and develop effective treatment strategies. For example:

  • IBS-D may require investigation for bacterial overgrowth or bile acid issues
  • IBS-C often involves motility disorders or methane-producing bacteria
  • Mixed patterns need comprehensive evaluation for multiple triggers

IBS symptoms can return if underlying root causes aren't fully addressed. This is why our protocol includes a comprehensive rebuilding and prevention phase that focuses on:

  • Long-term gut healing and microbiome restoration
  • Sustainable dietary and lifestyle strategies
  • Stress management techniques
  • Ongoing support to maintain digestive wellness

At Whole Gut Health, we go beyond symptom management to identify and treat the true root causes of IBS. We combine evidence-based strategies from conventional gastroenterology with a functional and integrative approach, focusing on:

  • Comprehensive testing to uncover underlying conditions
  • Personalized treatment protocols
  • The gut-brain connection
  • Long-term healing rather than temporary relief

Dr. Alexandra Shustina is a board-certified gastroenterologist and internist who serves as NYC's and Miami's premier gut health specialist. She has training in both conventional gastroenterology and functional gut health, with expertise in the gut microbiome and its role in health and wellness.

The first step is scheduling a comprehensive consultation where we'll:

  • Review your symptoms and medical history in detail
  • Determine the most appropriate testing strategy for your case
  • Develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs and IBS subtype

Contact our office to schedule your initial consultation and begin your journey toward lasting digestive wellness.

Locations

New York

PHONE

(212) 634 4233

ADDRESS

635 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10022

BUSINESS HOURS

Monday - Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday - Sunday - Closed

BUSINESS HOURS

Monday - Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday - Sunday - Closed

Miami

PHONE

(212) 634 4233

ADDRESS

407 Lincoln Rd Suite 10B
Miami Beach, FL 33139

BUSINESS HOURS

Monday - Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday - Sunday - Closed

BUSINESS HOURS

Monday - Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday - Sunday - Closed

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