Signs and symptoms of SIBO often include: Loss of appetite. Abdominal pain. Nausea.
But did you know that SIBO may also cause non-digestive symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, poor mood, headache, joint pain and much more? If you struggle with fatigue and other unexplained SIBO symptoms, gut treatments like probiotics and diet might not be top of mind.
During a SIBO flare-up, a wide range of gut health symptoms can increase or appear. This can involve an increase in symptoms such as bloating, an increase in gas and abdominal pain. It's also common for bowel patterns to alter.
Symptoms of SIBO are nonspecific and include bloating, abdominal distension, abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhea, fatigue, and weakness. The frequency and severity of symptoms likely reflect both the degree of bacterial overgrowth along with the extent of mucosal inflammation.
SIBO, or Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth, is a condition in which bacteria has overgrown in the small intestine, causing nutrient malabsorption, digestion issues, bloating, nausea and indigestion.
SIBO management strategies include: Dietary changes: Restrictive diets (like a low FODMAP diet) should be temporary fixes during a SIBO flare up and may help reduce symptoms. For long-term gut health, Dr. Barish recommends a diet rich in plant-based foods and healthy, whole-grain carbohydrates.
Some of the common symptoms experienced during the die-off period are increased bloating and abdominal discomfort, mild fatigue, muscle aches or even a low-grade fever.
Many people who have SIBO don't realize their symptoms are caused by bacterial overgrowth. Left untreated, SIBO can lead to serious complications including nutrient deficiencies, dehydration and malnutrition.
Allowed sugars: glucose, sucrose, aspartame (Nutra sweet), saccharin. AVOID: Lactose dairy, milk) fructose concentrate, lactulose, Splenda (sucralose), mannitol sorbitol (sugar free gum/mints), oligosaccharides (soy milk), corn syrup (regular sodas many others sweetened foods).
It would take six weeks of antimicrobial medicines and another six months of a restricted diet for her digestion to feel normal again, and for the bloat to finally go away. Lapine, a food and health writer and chef, chronicled her SIBO journey and shared SIBO-appropriate recipes on her blog and podcast in early 2018.
For most people, the initial way to treat bacterial overgrowth is with antibiotics. Doctors may start this treatment if your symptoms and medical history strongly suggest this is the cause, even when test results are inconclusive or without any testing at all.
Nutrient deficiencies are common in SIBO because our small intestine is where our nutrients are absorbed. An overgrowth of bacteria interferes with nutrient absorption because the bacteria actually consume nutrients such as B12 and iron - these two are crucial nutrients for adequate energy levels.
SIBO is a condition that can wreak havoc on the gastrointestinal system, leading to localized symptoms but the effects of SIBO can also impact our health in other more systemic ways, such as chronic fatigue, muscle aches, fibromyalgia, “brain fog”, breathing disturbances and bad breath, to name a few.
Over time SIBO can lead to chronic inflammation & immune conditions and could be putting you at risk for other ailments, including poor absorption of food and nutrients.
When patients suffer from excessive belching, they can belch acid from the stomach into the gullet, causing symptoms that mimic reflux-like heartburn. Flatulence/wind – again some wind is normal, after all everybody farts! Patients with SIBO are often very windy and the wind can be very smelly.
Fat: With SIBO, the bile acids responsible for the breakdown and absorption of fat are deficient. Fat malabsorption produces visible signs, including oily, smelly, and floating stools.
The prognosis of SIBO is determined mostly by the underlying disease leading to bacterial overgrowth. Ultimately SIBO might result in intestinal failure[61]. In scleroderma with gastrointestinal involvement (SIBO, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, malnutrition), the overall 5-year mortality is more than 50%[71].
Low FODMAP Diet (LFD): The most widely discussed option in conjunction with IBS and SIBO, this diet removes various types of sugars, including legumes, dairy, wheat, high fructose fruits and sweeteners (including honey and agave), artificial sweeteners, and many vegetables.
Symptoms associated with SIBO may include abdominal distention and bloating. Abdominal distention grows progressively worse throughout the day and is usually worst in the evening. Abdominal pain or discomfort also is common, though intense pain is not usually associated with SIBO.
SIBO does not occur randomly; there are many reasons why bacteria can relocate to the small intestine, or why the bacteria usually present there is able to flourish. In this sense, SIBO is both the cause of a variety of symptoms - and is caused by a variety of health concerns.
Not feeling so hot after your first few days of SIBO treatment? You might be experiencing what many refer to as “SIBO die off symptoms” including fatigue, muscle aches, worsened SIBO symptoms, and headaches.