Survey Highlights Americans’ Misunderstanding of Gut Health, IBS

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According to the results of a new study, more than 50% of Americans believe stomach discomfort or bloating is normal after eating.

In a survey of 2,000 adults released on National SIBO Awareness Day, results demonstrate the lack of patient education regarding gastrointestinal issues. Additional data from the survey indicate that more than one in three people are unaware of where to begin addressing gut health issues.

“An estimated two-thirds of IBS patients have SIBO, yet awareness remains remarkably low," said Ali Rezaie, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and international small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) expert, in a news release. “This lack of recognition often leads to years of misdiagnosis, despite the availability of simple, noninvasive diagnostic tests — delaying effective treatment and prolonging patient suffering.”

According to the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) impacts about 10% to 15% of people in the United States, with IBS almost twice as common in women as it is in their male counterparts. For patients, the ACG recommends talking to your doctor about your symptoms and IBS if you experience constipation or diarrhea that comes and goes, belly pain or discomfort, and/or bloating.

According to the AGA, through a combination of communication, examination and doing a few blood tests, a doctor can diagnose IBS in most people, but sometimes additional testing is needed.

Conducted by Censuswide, a market research group, in March, the survey included 2,000 U.S. adults, and primary results of the survey found more than half (51%) of Americans believe symptoms like bloating, gas and discomfort are simply a normal part of life.

Results of the survey indicated 14% reported having been diagnosed with IBS. However, among those patients, 41% said their doctor never mentioned SIBO — a condition estimated to affect two-thirds of IBS patients — as a possible cause of their symptoms. Those symptoms include abdominal discomfort, bloating within two hours of eating, frequent bathroom urgency, belching, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea or alternating bowel habits.

A news release pointed out 27% of respondents said they felt dismissed when raising gut health concerns with their doctor, reflecting ongoing challenges with access to informed, patient-centered care.

Despite the rise in gut health awareness, Americans remain confused about treatment options. According to the survey, one in five people mistakenly believe probiotics alone can resolve gut health issues, and nearly three-quarters (72%) reported never hearing of an elemental diet, which mBIOTA Labs describes as a clinically proven, nonpharmaceutical option for conditions like SIBO.

Additional survey data indicated 35% of Americans said they don’t know where to begin to address gut health issues, and 27% said they simply don’t have time. The survey also found that more than half (57%) of people with chronic gut symptoms would consider a dietary approach over antibiotics citing interest in nondrug approaches or science-backed therapies, with 14% reporting they were desperate for symptom relief.

“Millions of people worldwide suffer from gastrointestinal disorders that significantly impact their quality of life, and seeking a solution that offers relief often involves navigating a maze of restrictive diets, medications and supplements,” said Krystyna Houser, founder of mBIOTA Labs. “After personally struggling to find answers for six years, I made it my mission to help others struggling, and now they have a clinically proven palatable option that provides a more natural and long-term solution to managing GI distress within two weeks.”