CONDITION

Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

What Is Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth?

Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition marked by an overpopulation of bacteria in the small intestine. The bacteria either aren’t supposed to be there or they’re in larger quantities than they should be. This can result in some serious symptoms including bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation, and weight loss. It’s important to note that having SIBO doesn’t necessarily mean you have an “overgrowth” of bacteria—it just means there are too many in your small intestine for it to function properly. If you suspect that you might have SIBO, talk with your doctor as soon as possible so they can determine what treatment options would be best for your specific situation.

Because it’s a bacterial infection of the small intestine (not just gas), it’s different from IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome—a common condition characterized by frequent abdominal cramps and irregular bowel movements. Up to 25% IBS patient may have underlying SIBO. This is especially those with diarrhoea predominant symptoms.

Causes of Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

There are many causes of SIBO. Antibiotics, which kill off normal gut bacteria, can cause bacterial overgrowth. So can other medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Infections with parasites and viruses can also lead to bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.

The diet plays a big role in whether or not you experience small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Refined carbs like white breads and pastas may contribute to SIBO by providing food for bacteria that normally live in the large intestine but are unable to reach it due to poor motility of the bowel. A diet low in vegetables and fruit—which contain important prebiotic fibers that help nourish “good” gut bacteria—can also cause bacterial proliferation.

Risk Factors for Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

You may have SIBO if you’ve been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, which are both inflammatory bowel diseases that can damage your digestive system; if you’ve had chemotherapy treatment for cancer; if you have a history of gastric bypass surgery; or if you take antibiotics regularly for any other reason (including acne treatment).

In general, risk factors for SIBO include:

Adhesions caused by previous abdominal surgery
A structural defect in the small intestine
An abnormal passageway (fistula) between two segments of bowel
Injury to the small intestine
Diabetes
Diverticulosis of the small intestine
Gastric surgery for obesity or ulcers
History of radiation therapy to the stomach

Symptoms of Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

Watch for these Symptoms

SIBO symptoms include:

Men may also notice that they feel bloated after ejaculation due to an imbalance in intestinal bacteria.

Diagnosis and Tests for Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

SIBO can be diagnosed with a number of tests. The following are some of the tests that your doctor may asked you to take and what takes place during the test.

A hydrogen breath test. The patient drinks a solution of lactulose, which is then measured in the breath. If there are more than 10 parts per million (ppm) of hydrogen produced, it’s an indication that bacterial overgrowth is present. This test may also indicate whether or not SIBO is present in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
A lactulose breath test – This is similar to the hydrogen breath test but uses lactulose instead of glucose as the substrate for testing fermentation by bacteria in your colon.

A glucose tolerance test – In this case, you will drink 75 grams of glucose dissolved into 250 mL water and then measure your blood sugar levels after two hours has passed. If high levels are detected, it could indicate bacterial overgrowth due to malabsorption issues in your small intestines from nutrient deficiencies caused by candidiasis or severe IBS symptoms such as cramps and diarrhea due to food intolerances like gluten sensitivity/celiac disease among others that may cause digestive distress like gas bloating stomach pain acid reflux etcetera).

Treatment of Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

SIBO is treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately, this can be a difficult condition to treat because of the complexity of the small intestine and its bacterial ecosystem. Antibiotics that kill off harmful bacteria will also destroy healthy bacteria in your small intestine, which can cause other problems such as gas, bloating, diarrhea and yeast infections.

Small intestine bacterial overgrowth is a condition that occurs when there are too many bacteria in the small intestine. This can make you feel sick and cause diarrhea, bloating, and weight loss. Your doctor will help you determine what treatment options may be best for you.