Q I was also told I have irritable bowel syndrome. Is that the same as food intolerance? Can they be treated together?
A Food intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are different but often overlap. About 60-70% of IBS patients also have food intolerance components such as FODMAPs, so combining a low-FODMAP diet with treatment to restore gut function can address both problems at once.
Detailed Answer
IBS is a functional bowel disorder with recurrent abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation without structural abnormality, while food intolerance is a problem arising from the inability to process a specific component. When the two occur together, symptoms are severe and improvement with dietary control alone is slow.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, both are seen as a decline in the Spleen-Stomach's transformation function and the large intestine's conduction function, and are addressed together within a single treatment framework. Combining herbal medicine that stabilizes the gut with dietary adjustment often eases IBS and food intolerance symptoms together.
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Even with food intolerance, will I be able to eat my favorite foods like before?
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If my lips swell or I feel short of breath after eating, is that food intolerance or should I go to the emergency room?
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