FAQ: What Are the Main Causes of IBS, and How Does the Disease Progress Over Time?

July, 2025

Join Monica Nandwani, GI nurse practitioner in California, as she explores the complex causes and progression of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a common yet often misunderstood disorder of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). In this episode, Monica breaks down the multifactorial nature of IBS, including key contributors like gastrointestinal dysmotility, visceral hypersensitivity, post-infectious changes, intestinal inflammation, food sensitivities, bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), microbiome imbalances, genetics, and psychosocial stressors. Learn how IBS symptoms—ranging from chronic abdominal pain to diarrhea and constipation—can persist, shift, or even improve over time. Monica also reviews data on long-term outcomes and how IBS subtypes may evolve. Whether you're a healthcare provider or someone living with IBS, this discussion offers valuable clinical insight into one of the most common reasons for GI referral. For more expert content, visit the GHAPP website or the GHAPP ACE App.