IBS Treatment & Functional Gut Health Center in Newtown, PA

Traditional medical approaches often treat IBS as a lifelong condition to be managed with synthetic medications, laxatives, or basic fiber supplements. While these may offer temporary comfort, they rarely address why your gut is inflamed or imbalanced in the first place.

At Primary Prevention Center, we view IBS not as a single disease, but as a symptom of underlying dysfunction within the gastrointestinal tract. Common root causes of IBS symptoms include:

• Microbiome Dysbiosis: An overgrowth of harmful bacteria, yeast, or parasites in the gut.

• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): Bacteria settling in the upper digestive tract, producing excess gas and bloating.

• Hidden Food Sensitivities: Delayed immune reactions to everyday foods that trigger chronic inflammation.

• Intestinal Permeability (“Leaky Gut”): A compromised gut barrier that allows undigested food particles into the bloodstream.

• Nutrient Malabsorption: Difficulty absorbing vital vitamins and minerals due to chronic GI inflammation.

The best diet for you depends on your symptoms, how your body reacts to dietary changes, your allergies, and your preferences. It’s recommended to steer clear of fried or fatty foods and opt for easier-to-digest proteins, like eggs, turkey, fish, or tofu. If you experience constipation, you should focus on eating a fiber-rich diet, by choosing whole grains like oats and quinoa as well as eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Many find relief by following a low-FODMAP diet, which means limiting foods that are known to cause gas and bloating. This includes certain fruits, vegetables, sweeteners, and dairy products. Starting this diet under the guidance of a healthcare professional can help you identify which foods trigger your symptoms to know what you should avoid in the future.

If you have IBS, healthcare professionals advise that you avoid or limit certain foods to prevent unpleasant symptoms. These include:

• Dairy products – Instead of lactose products, it’s recommended that people with IBS consider alternatives like almond or soy milk to avoid symptoms like gas, bloating, or diarrhea.

• Foods high in fructose – High fructose corn syrup, which is found in many processed foods, can aggravate IBS symptoms. In addition, fructose can be found in healthy foods, like apples or mangos. It’s best to opt for low-fructose options, like berries and bananas.

• Caffeine – Caffeinated drinks can stimulate the intestines and trigger symptoms of IBS, particularly diarrhea. You should try to limit the amount of coffee, tea, and energy drinks you consume to see if there is a difference in your symptoms.

• Carbonated beverages – The bubbles in carbonated drinks like soda can trap gas in the digestive system and lead to increased bloating and discomfort.

• Sugar-free chewing gums – Artificial sweeteners, like sorbitol and xylitol, are commonly found in sugar-free chewing gum and can cause diarrhea. 

Whether you have been formally diagnosed with IBS or are experiencing unexplained digestive distress, our clinic provides care for:

• IBS-C (Constipation Predominant): Infrequent bowel movements, straining, and severe abdominal fullness.

• IBS-D (Diarrhea Predominant): Frequent loose stools, urgency, and post-meal cramping.

• IBS-M (Mixed/Alternating): Fluctuating between periods of constipation and sudden diarrhea.

• Post-Prandial Bloating: Distension or feeling “six months pregnant” shortly after eating.

• Systemic Manifestations: Chronic fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, skin breakouts, and anxiety linked to gut health.

• Initial Consultation: We review your full medical history, dietary habits, symptom patterns, and health goals.

• Targeted Specialty Testing: We run relevant functional tests (GI Mapping, IgG Food Explorer) to map your unique gut biology.

• Personalized Care Plan: You receive a step-by-step protocol incorporating customized dietary planning, natural gut-repair supplements, lifestyle modifications, and IV nutrition therapy if needed.

• Ongoing Support & Guidance: We monitor your progress, adjust your plan as your gut heals, and help you transition to a sustainable, long-term wellness strategy.

How is functional medicine different from traditional IBS care?

Traditional medicine focuses primarily on controlling symptoms using anti-diarrheal medications, laxatives, or antispasmodics. Functional medicine investigates the underlying biological triggers—such as microbiome imbalances, food sensitivities, or enzyme deficiencies—and uses targeted testing and nutrition to restore optimal gut function naturally.

How do I know if I need GI Mapping or Food Sensitivity testing?

If you suffer from chronic bloating, pain, irregular bowel habits, or reactions to multiple foods without a clear cause, specialty testing can save months of trial and error. During your initial consultation, Michael Como and Natalie Saunders will recommend the specific panels best suited for your symptoms.

Do you accept patients from outside Newtown, PA?

Yes! While our physical office is conveniently located in Newtown, PA, we frequently serve patients across Bucks County, including Yardley, Richboro, Churchville, Woodbourne, and surrounding regions.

You don’t have to live around your IBS symptoms. Contact the Primary Prevention Center today to schedule your consultation and discover how functional medicine can rebuild your gut health.

Location: 638 Newtown-Yardley Road Suite 2G Newtown, PA 18940.