Consult an expert
Have you been diagnosed with IBS without the proposed treatments bringing lasting relief? Many patients labelled with IBS in fact suffer from an underlying SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), a bacterial proliferation in the small intestine that only a targeted work-up can identify.
A few steps from South Kensington, Kensington Clinic brings together a team of four consultant gastroenterologists specialising in functional digestive disorders. Consulting a SIBO specialist at our private clinic in London means accessing an expert opinion within days of booking, with a structured clinical pathway and a personalised treatment plan.
What is SIBO and how is it linked to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
SIBO refers to an abnormal proliferation of bacteria in the small intestine, which is usually sparsely populated. These bacteria ferment dietary sugars and produce gases (hydrogen, methane) responsible for the typical symptoms (bloating, abdominal pain, disrupted transit, and so on).
A significant proportion of patients diagnosed with IBS are thought to have underlying SIBO. This explains why a number of IBS patients respond neither to low-FODMAP diets, nor to standard antispasmodics, nor to psychosomatic approaches. The reason is simple: as long as the bacterial overgrowth persists, the symptoms return.
Identifying SIBO in an IBS patient opens a targeted therapeutic path, often decisive when led by an experienced specialist.
Symptoms and signs that should prompt you to see a SIBO specialist in London
Some clinical pictures fully justify a specialist consultation rather than prolonged symptomatic treatment:
- IBS diagnosed but insufficiently controlled by first-line treatments.
- Daily bloating and visible abdominal distension by the end of the day.
- Multiple food intolerances developed progressively (gluten, lactose, fructose, sulphites).
- Transit alternating between diarrhoea and chronic constipation with suspected high methane levels.
- Post-meal fatigue, brain fog, unexplained nutritional deficiencies.
- History of abdominal surgery, chronic gastritis or prolonged antibiotic use.
- Associated conditions: rosacea, fibromyalgia, thyroid disorders, digestive anxiety.
Each of these signs, alone or combined, justifies a specialist opinion to orient the work-up towards a SIBO breath test in London or other targeted digestive investigations.
Our SIBO and IBS specialists in London
Care at Kensington Clinic is provided by a team of four consultant gastroenterologists with complementary expertise, well-versed in complex IBS presentations and in differential SIBO diagnosis.
Dr Akeel Alisa
Senior hepato-gastroenterologist.
Consultations in English and Arabic.
Dr David Simon
French gastroenterologist in London.
Consultations in French and English.
Dr Noriko Suzuki
Consultant in therapeutic endoscopy and specialist in endoscopic submucosal dissection.
Consultations in English.
Dr Owen Woghiren
Consultant in chronic inflammatory bowel disease and clinical nutrition.
Consultations in English.
Consulting one of these SIBO specialists at Kensington Clinic in London means accessing this range of expertise in a single location, with a seamless care pathway from the first appointment through to the review of your results.
The consultation pathway at Kensington Clinic
The care of an IBS patient with suspected SIBO follows a structured four-step pathway:
1. Initial consultation
Your gastroenterologist goes over the full history of your symptoms, how long you have had IBS, the treatments already tried, the medical context (surgery, antibiotic treatments, family history) and any identified food intolerances.
2. Targeted work-up
Depending on the clinical picture, your doctor prescribes a SIBO breath test (the first-line reference examination), sometimes supplemented by further investigations (microbiome analysis, malabsorption work-up, targeted blood tests) in London.
3. Review of results
A dedicated consultation allows your specialist to comment on the traces, confirm or rule out SIBO and, where relevant, characterise its form (hydrogen, methane, or mixed).
4. Personalised treatment plan
Depending on the results, treatment may combine targeted antibiotic therapy (rifaximin, neomycin), nutritional support, correction of contributing factors and remote follow-up through a control test.
This continuity between diagnosis and follow-up, led by the same SIBO specialist in London, is what sets it apart from fragmented care.
The role of the SIBO breath test in your care
The SIBO breath test is a non-invasive respiratory examination that measures exhaled hydrogen and methane after ingestion of a sugar substrate. It makes it possible to objectify a bacterial overgrowth and to characterise its form, which directly guides the choice of treatment.
At Kensington Clinic, prescribing the test is always preceded by a consultation to confirm its indication and specify the preparation instructions.
Book an appointment at Kensington Clinic
Kensington Clinic is located at 2 North Terrace, London SW3 2BA, a six-minute walk from South Kensington and eight minutes from Knightsbridge.
To consult a SIBO specialist in London and begin a targeted work-up, three channels are at your disposal:
- Phone, on 020 7589 9321;
- Email, at contact@lamaisonmedicale.co.uk;
- Online booking, directly via our appointment system.
When booking, please specify your preferred language (English, French, Arabic depending on the practitioner) and flag any urgent slot.
FAQ
When should I see a specialist for IBS that isn't responding to treatment?
IBS that is insufficiently controlled despite several therapeutic approaches justifies a specialist consultation. Certain signs should particularly raise concern:
- Persistent symptoms despite a properly conducted low-FODMAP diet;
- Food intolerances that build up or worsen over time;
- Daily bloating with visible abdominal distension;
- Nutritional deficiencies (iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D) with no clear cause;
- Associated extra-digestive symptoms (rosacea, chronic fatigue, brain fog).
An opinion from one of our SIBO specialists in London helps identify an underlying cause of the IBS picture and adjust care accordingly.
What does a SIBO breath test show for IBS?
The SIBO breath test confirms or rules out a bacterial proliferation of the small intestine in an IBS patient. It is particularly useful for:
- Identifying the bacterial origin of symptoms in a non-responsive IBS patient;
- Distinguishing the hydrogen form (diarrhoea) from the methane form (constipation);
- Guiding the choice of antibiotic treatment based on the gas profile;
- Monitoring treatment effectiveness through a control test at a later stage.
Medical interpretation of the trace, by an experienced gastroenterologist, remains essential to guide the rest of your care.
What's the difference between seeing an NHS vs a private gastroenterologist for SIBO or IBS?
Both routes offer quality medical care but differ on several practical points:
- Waiting time: a few days in a private clinic compared with several weeks, sometimes several months on the NHS.
- Continuity: the same practitioner from the initial consultation through to the review of results and follow-up.
- Access to investigations: SIBO breath test and other examinations quickly available via our partners.
- Languages: consultations in English, French and Arabic at Kensington Clinic.
No GP referral letter is required for private clinic consultations.
