A simple test and straightforward treatment can lead to a lot of relief. While SIBO is an uncommon cause of abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea, it is becoming increasingly recognized as the source of digestive problems in many people. Since SIBO may re-occur if risk factors for the condition remain unchanged, it is important to discuss with your gastroenterologist how to prevent a recurrence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. It is also important to reverse the vitamin or mineral deficiencies that may have been caused by the disease. How Is SIBO Treated?Ī course of antibiotics is used to eliminate the abnormal bacteria from the small intestines. These gasses can be measured in the breath with the available testing apparatus. The test is based on the principle that when a person with SIBO ingests a certain amount of sugar, the abnormally large amount of bacteria in the small intestines will generate a large amount of gases, such as methane or hydrogen. You drink a little sugar water and then give a breath sample into a bag for a few hours. This is a simple, easy, totally non-invasive test. Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when there are too many bacteria in the wrong place (the small intestine). A lactulose or glucose breath test is a procedure that may be used to confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor may have a suspicion that you have SIBO based on the above mentioned symptoms and risk factors. Certain medications including the narcotic pain killers and over-the-counter medications such as acid reducing medications and allergy medications may also predispose patients. Risk factors include adhesions from prior surgeries, poorly controlled diabetes, scleroderma or a history of narrowing of the intestines (e.g., Crohn’s disease). What Are the Risk Factors For SIBO?Ĭonditions that perturb the normal movement of the intestines or affect the secretion of stomach and intestinal juices can predispose to bacterial overgrowth. These deficiencies can result in significant nutritional abnormalities, leading to malnutrition, weight loss, anemia, fatigue, inability to concentrate, and more. Protein and fat malabsorption can also occur. More severe cases may lead to deficiencies in important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12 and iron. Therefore, it is important to be evaluated by your doctor before just assuming that SIBO is the cause of your problems.
Of course, these symptoms can also be present in other gastrointestinal disorders, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), lactose intolerance, and colon cancer. People with SIBO may complain of abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, or a combination of these symptoms. This can produce gases that may give all sorts of unwanted symptoms. When exposed to commonly ingested nutrients such as carbohydrates, these bacteria can break the nutrients down (a process called fermentation). This can lead to what is called “overgrowth”. While the small intestines usually have a small amount of harmless bacteria present, in some situations the amount or type of bacteria may grow in excess amounts. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (or SIBO for short) is a condition caused by an excessive amount of bacteria in the small intestines.
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