Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive condition that can significantly disrupt daily life. For many individuals, symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, or alternating bowel patterns interfere with work, social activities, sleep, and overall well-being. The unpredictable nature of IBS often adds emotional stress and anxiety to an already challenging condition.
IBS is increasingly prevalent among adults, and with that rise has come growing frustration with conventional care. Many patients are told their tests are “normal,” yet their symptoms persist. Standard treatments often focus on suppressing symptoms rather than identifying why the digestive system is not functioning properly in the first place.
At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine, IBS is approached differently. Integrative and functional medicine focus on identifying root causes—such as gut microbiome imbalance, inflammation, food sensitivities, and stress-related nervous system dysfunction—to create a more effective and sustainable path to relief.
Dr. Mark Stengler is a nationally recognized expert in digestive health, functional medicine, and integrative care, with decades of experience helping patients resolve chronic gastrointestinal issues. His approach combines scientific evaluation with natural therapies to support true digestive healing.
IBS is considered a functional digestive disorder, meaning it affects how the digestive system functions rather than causing visible structural damage. Unlike conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), IBS does not show up on imaging or routine lab tests—yet its symptoms are very real and often debilitating.
IBS affects:
This dysfunction can lead to pain, irregular bowel movements, and digestive distress even in the absence of structural disease.
IBS is commonly classified into three main types based on bowel patterns:
IBS-D (Diarrhea-Predominant)
Characterized by frequent loose stools, urgency, and abdominal discomfort.
IBS-C (Constipation-Predominant)
Marked by infrequent bowel movements, hard stools, bloating, and straining.
IBS-M (Mixed Type)
Involves alternating periods of diarrhea and constipation, often accompanied by bloating and cramping.
Identifying the IBS subtype is important, but functional medicine looks deeper to understand why these patterns exist.
IBS symptoms can vary in intensity and frequency, often fluctuating over time. Common symptoms include:
These symptoms can significantly affect quality of life and emotional well-being.
A healthy gut depends on a balanced microbiome. IBS is frequently associated with:
This imbalance can disrupt digestion, increase gas production, and trigger inflammation and immune responses in the gut.
Many IBS patients react to specific foods, even if standard allergy tests are negative. Common triggers include:
These sensitivities can provoke immune-mediated and inflammatory responses, leading to bloating, pain, and bowel irregularities.
Increased intestinal permeability—often referred to as leaky gut—allows partially digested food particles and toxins to cross the gut lining. This can:
Leaky gut is a common contributor to chronic digestive distress.
The gut and brain are closely connected through the gut–brain axis. Chronic stress and anxiety can disrupt this communication, leading to:
Nervous system dysregulation is a major driver of IBS symptoms for many patients.
Hormones play an important role in digestion. Thyroid dysfunction, adrenal stress, and sex hormone imbalances can all affect bowel function, gut motility, and inflammation—contributing to persistent IBS symptoms.
Effective IBS treatment begins with identifying the underlying drivers of symptoms rather than labeling IBS as a permanent condition.
A comprehensive evaluation looks at:
Rather than viewing digestion in isolation, functional medicine understands the gut as part of an interconnected system, where imbalances in one area can trigger symptoms elsewhere.
Integrative and functional IBS solutions are guided by several key principles:
Remove Inflammatory Triggers
Identifying and reducing foods, infections, or lifestyle factors that contribute to gut irritation and inflammation.
Restore Healthy Digestion and Microbiome Balance
Supporting beneficial gut bacteria, digestive enzymes, and stomach acid balance to improve digestion and nutrient absorption.
Repair the Gut Lining
Strengthening intestinal barrier function to reduce permeability, inflammation, and immune activation.
Rebalance the Gut–Brain–Immune Connection
Addressing stress, nervous system regulation, and immune balance to calm gut sensitivity and improve motility.
This comprehensive strategy creates a foundation for long-term digestive healing rather than temporary symptom control.
Many patients experience:
As gut balance improves, digestion becomes more predictable and comfortable.
Restoring digestive health supports better nutrient absorption, which can lead to:
Patients often report feeling more energized and mentally sharp as gut inflammation decreases.
Because the gut plays a central role in immune function, integrative IBS care can help:
This immune support is especially important for patients with overlapping inflammatory or autoimmune concerns.
As symptoms improve, many patients enjoy:
The goal is not just symptom relief, but restoring confidence and enjoyment in daily life.
Effective IBS treatment begins with a thorough understanding of the individual. Dr. Stengler conducts a detailed digestive and symptom history, exploring bowel patterns, food reactions, abdominal discomfort, and how symptoms affect daily life.
Equally important is an assessment of stress, lifestyle, and dietary patterns, as emotional stress, eating habits, sleep quality, and daily routines all have a significant impact on gut function. This comprehensive evaluation helps uncover contributors that are often missed in conventional care.
When clinically appropriate, advanced functional testing may be used to gain deeper insight into digestive health and identify hidden drivers of IBS symptoms.
This testing may include:
These tools allow treatment to be precise and targeted rather than based on trial and error.
Based on evaluation findings, Dr. Stengler develops personalized IBS treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
Care may include:
This integrative strategy supports the whole person—not just the digestive tract.
IBS healing is a process, not a one-time intervention. Dr. Stengler provides ongoing monitoring and support, making adjustments based on symptom improvement, tolerance, and overall progress.
This long-term approach helps patients maintain digestive balance, reduce flare-ups, and achieve sustained gut health and improved quality of life.
Irritable bowel syndrome can be frustrating, disruptive, and emotionally exhausting—but IBS is manageable with the right approach. When care moves beyond symptom suppression and focuses on identifying underlying causes, lasting improvement becomes possible.
Integrative and functional medicine emphasize the importance of understanding what is driving digestive dysfunction, whether it involves gut microbiome imbalance, food sensitivities, inflammation, stress, or hormonal influences. By addressing these root causes, patients gain a clearer path toward sustained digestive health.
For those who have felt discouraged by ongoing symptoms or limited success with conventional treatments, there is real hope. A proactive, integrative approach offers an effective way to calm the gut, restore balance, and reclaim quality of life.
If you are struggling with persistent IBS symptoms and are ready for a more comprehensive, personalized approach, we invite you to schedule a consultation at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine.
Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine
324 Encinitas Blvd
Encinitas, CA 92024
Phone: 760-274-2377
Toll-Free: 855-DOC-MARK
Email: clinic@markstengler.com
Website: https://www.markstengler.com
