Ep. 102: Food Poisoning, SIBO & IBS: It Wasn't "Just Food Poisoning"

Have you ever said, “My stomach has never been the same since that trip…” or that questionable BBQ, honeymoon, or random meal that left you sick for days? Food poisoning isn’t always something you “just get over.” For many people, it’s the starting point of long-term bloating, urgency, constipation, food sensitivities, and anxiety around eating. In this episode, Dr. Heather breaks down why post-infectious IBS accounts for a significant percentage of IBS cases and how an acute infection can disrupt gut motility, immune signaling, stomach acid, bile flow, and mineral balance long after the initial illness passes. If you’ve been stuck in cycles of low FODMAP, antimicrobials, probiotics, and still feel six months pregnant by 5pm… this conversation will connect the dots. In This Episode, We Cover: The research behind post-infectious IBS and how food poisoning triggers long-term gut dysfunction How bacteria like Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli, and Shigella can disrupt motility What happens to the migrating motor complex after infection Why bloating, SIBO, constipation, or diarrhea can linger for years The role of stomach acid, bile flow, minerals, and the nervous system in recovery What to do during acute food poisoning What to evaluate if symptoms are still present months (or years) later If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review and share it with someone whose gut has never quite been the same. Find the real root causes of your GI symptoms with our free, 2 minute Quiz! Connect + Next Steps Want daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support? Heather on Instagram Ready for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan? Apply for gutTogether® Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month!