S
Sync Therapy
Book
Sync Therapy

Victoria's Premier Wellness Clinic

6x Award Winner
Book Appointment Now
(250) 812-8698
132-328 Wale Road, Suite 120, Colwood, BC
4.9/5 • 107+ Reviews
Call Now: (250) 812-8698
Blog

IBS Quiz

By Daryl Stubbs
15 min read
a woman wanting to try a IBS quiz to see if she has ibs or ibd
Author Daryl Stubbs
About the Author Daryl Stubbs—6-time “Best Massage and Rehab Clinic” winner (Community Votes) and founder of Sync Therapy. With 12 years’ experience and 10,000+ treatment hours, he blends manual therapy with evidence-based gut-health and lifestyle coaching, helping clients on-site and online worldwide move better, feel better, and live their best.
Free IBS Quiz (14 Questions): Assess Your Symptoms in 3 Mins

Living with unpredictable gut issues is frustrating. You’re not alone. Finding clarity is the first step toward feeling better, and this guide is here to help. This is especially true if you’re looking for an `IBS symptoms female quiz`, as experiences can differ.

Free IBS Quiz (14 Questions): Assess Your Symptoms in 3 Mins

Quick Read: What You Need to Know

  • IBS vs. IBD Are Not the Same: IBS is a functional gut-brain disorder, while IBD causes physical damage to your intestines. Getting the right diagnosis is critical.
  • Don’t Self-Diagnose: A doctor uses specific criteria (like Rome IV) and may use tools like the IBS-Smart test to rule out other conditions.
  • Take the Quiz: Jump to our IBS Symptom Assessment Quiz for a preliminary evaluation of your symptoms.
  • You Have Options: Relief often comes from a personalized mix of diet changes, stress management, and targeted treatments.

Why You Can Trust Our Reviews

Our recommendations are built on a foundation of expertise, clinical experience, and rigorous research. We are dedicated to providing you with trustworthy and effective wellness solutions.

Award-Winning Clinic

We are a multiple award-winning health clinic, recognized for our excellence in patient care.

Personal & Clinical Use

We use these products personally and in our clinic, recommending them to thousands of clients.

Science-Backed Principles

We follow the science-backed principles of leading health experts like Dr. Mark Hyman and Dr. Will Cole.

Rigorous Research

We rigorously study the latest in health trends, practices, and scientific literature to stay at the forefront of wellness.

In This Article

IBS Symptom Assessment Quiz

This irritable bowel syndrome symptoms quiz can help you assess your symptoms. If you’ve been asking “do I have IBS?”, our quiz requires no email for results and is a great first step.

Question 1 of 14 7% Complete

IBS Assessment Results

⚠️
Important Medical Disclaimer: This quiz is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis. IBS diagnosis requires proper medical evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider. If you’re experiencing persistent digestive symptoms, please consult with a doctor or gastroenterologist for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
ℹ️
This assessment is for educational purposes only and cannot replace professional medical evaluation. Please consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

IBS vs. IBD: How to Tell the Difference

Though they sound similar and share symptoms like pain and unpredictable bowel movements, IBS and IBD are fundamentally different. Understanding these differences is key to getting the right help. The main distinction lies in the physical impact on your gut and the underlying cause, which is often related to the gut-brain axis. This quiz can also help you start to differentiate if your symptoms lean more towards functional issues like IBS or might require investigation for conditions like IBD, endometriosis, or lactose intolerance.

A woman considering taking an IBS symptoms female quiz to understand her stomach pains and bloating.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  • A disorder of the gut-brain connection. Your gut is extra sensitive and doesn’t communicate with your brain correctly.
  • Does NOT cause physical damage, inflammation, or intestinal sores.
  • Diagnosis is based on symptoms, after ruling out other conditions.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

  • An autoimmune disease (like Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis) where the body attacks the intestines.
  • DOES cause physical damage like chronic inflammation, ulcers, and scarring.
  • Diagnosed with tests like colonoscopies, imaging, and blood work.

The SIBO and IBS Link: What’s the Connection?

If you have IBS-like symptoms, especially bloating, it’s worth knowing about SIBO. Research shows a significant overlap: up to 78% of people diagnosed with IBS may also have SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth).

A woman using a laptop to take an IBS quiz to see if her symptoms point to IBS or IBD.

What is the link? It often starts with food poisoning.

  1. The Trigger: You get a bout of gastroenteritis (food poisoning).
  2. The Damage: Toxins from the bad bacteria can damage the nerves responsible for your gut’s “cleansing waves,” which normally sweep food and bacteria down into the colon.
  3. The Overgrowth: With the cleansing waves impaired, bacteria from your large intestine can migrate up and multiply in your small intestine, where they don’t belong. This is SIBO.
  4. The Symptoms: These misplaced bacteria ferment the food you eat, producing excess gas (hydrogen, methane). This gas is a primary driver of the managing IBS bloating, pain, constipation (IBS-C), and/or diarrhea (IBS-D) that define many IBS triggers.

Finding the Root Cause: The Antibody Test

There’s a way to connect the dots. A simple antibody blood test (like IBS-Smart) can “rule-in” post-infectious IBS. It looks for two key antibodies (anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin) that act as markers for a past food poisoning event. This is a specific `IBS blood test name` you can discuss with your doctor.

A positive result provides a strong clue that food poisoning was the root cause of your symptoms, making SIBO a very likely suspect. For more on this, see our guide to the best probiotics for IBS.

Find Out About Gut Health Testing

How Is IBS Diagnosed? (Beyond the Quiz)

While this quiz is a great starting point, a formal `IBS diagnosis test` from a healthcare provider is the only way to be certain. Here’s what you can expect from the process, including options for an `IBS test at home`.

Symptom Evaluation

Your doctor will ask detailed questions about your symptoms, their frequency, and how they impact your life. They often use a checklist called the Rome IV criteria, which looks for recurrent abdominal pain associated with changes in bowel movements.

Ruling Out Other Conditions

Your doctor’s main goal is to ensure nothing more serious is causing your symptoms. This may involve blood tests (`IBS lab test`) to check for inflammation or celiac disease. For SIBO, an `IBS breath test` is the common diagnostic tool. As mentioned, a specific blood test like the IBS-Smart test can help confirm if food poisoning was the likely trigger.

Your Questions, Answered

What about different types, like IBS-C or IBS-D?

IBS is often sub-typed based on the primary bowel habit. IBS-C is constipation-predominant, IBS-D is diarrhea-predominant, and IBS-M is for mixed bowel habits. This quiz can give you clues, but a doctor will use your symptom history to determine your subtype, which helps guide treatment.

Is this guide a substitute for a doctor’s advice?

Absolutely not. This guide is an educational tool based on professional and personal experience to help you have a more informed discussion with your healthcare provider. It cannot and should not replace a professional diagnosis or treatment plan.

Will I have IBS forever?

IBS is a chronic (long-term) condition, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always feel this way. Symptoms can fluctuate, and many people find that with the right management strategies, they can significantly reduce their symptoms and enjoy long periods of feeling great.

Okay, I think I have IBS. What’s my very first step?

Your absolute first step is to book an appointment with your doctor. Don’t wait. A proper diagnosis is essential to rule out other conditions and get you on the right path to effective treatment and relief.

Your Path to a Happier Gut Starts Now

You’ve taken a huge step just by seeking out this information. Remember, understanding your body is the key to taking back control. Use the insights from this article and the quiz as your starting point for a productive conversation with your doctor. You deserve to feel well, and finding the right answers is the first step on that journey.

Take the Quiz Now
Daryl Stubbs, RMT, CAT(C) — Sync Massage Therapy

About Daryl Stubbs, RMT, CAT(C)

Award-winning Registered Massage Therapist & Certified Athletic Therapist in Greater Victoria, BC. Owner of Sync Massage Therapy. I blend hands-on expertise with evidence-based modalities like PEMF and red-light therapy to help clients recover, manage chronic pain, and perform at their best.

Reader favourites: FDA-approved light therapy for pain, Best probiotics in 2025, Top probiotics for IBS.

Also listed on Sun Life Lumino Health: Provider Profile

Leave a Comment