Symptoms of SIBO are nonspecific and include bloating, abdominal distension, abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhea, fatigue, and weakness.
Diagnosis involves a simple breath test that can be done at home. The patient is asked to drink some sugar solution and then blow into a series of test tubes over a couple of hours. The gas in the test tubes is analysed and if the hydrogen and methane levels are high that usually indicates SIBO.
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.
When you have SIBO, the bile acids responsible for the breakdown and absorption of fat are deficient, resulting in a pale-colored stool that is also bulky and malodorous.
It can cause painful gas, bloating, nausea, belching and other systemic symptoms. As the cartoon pictures shows, people with SIBO feel bloated ALL THE TIME and just feel “yucky.” Some people also have systemic symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, joint pains, and abnormal bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea).
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.
SIBO often originates due to underlying causes such as physical obstruction, nerve damage, or muscle weakness. While most people are not aware of this condition, it's a surprisingly common culprit of belly bloat.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is defined as the presence of excessive bacteria in the small intestine. SIBO is frequently implicated as the cause of chronic diarrhea and malabsorption. Patients with SIBO may also suffer from unintentional weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and osteoporosis.
If you have SIBO it means that the bacteria have either overgrown from your large intestine into your small intestine. Symptoms of SIBO include: Loose, pale and foul-smelling stools.
If you're experiencing extreme levels of gas, diarrhea, nausea, constipation or indigestion, you may be suffering from SIBO. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, or SIBO, is an uncomfortable medical condition in which too much bacteria have grown in the small intestine.
The hydrogen breath test is a fast, easy, and non-invasive method for testing for SIBO. By measuring the gases in the small intestine, a hydrogen breath test can determine if a patient is suffering from excess bacteria, and if so, to what extent. The process is so simple it can even be performed at home!
SIBO Causes and Risk Factors. SIBO usually starts when your small intestine doesn't move food along the way it should. Bacteria grow and stick around too long. If the “good” bacteria that help you digest food can't keep up with the harmful bacteria, the “bad” germs can multiply too fast, leading to an imbalance.
Lifestyle Changes for SIBO
Drink plenty of fresh water throughout the day to stay properly hydrated. It's also important to manage stress during healing. Yoga, barre, tai chi, regular exercise and acupuncture can help reduce stress levels and keep you motivated to stay on track with the SIBO diet.
The recovery of intestinal cells after SIBO therapy can help absorb nutrients, thus contributing to weight gain.
SIBO and weight gain
SIBO is more commonly associated with weight loss as it interferes with the body's ability to absorb nutrients, however, there are large numbers of individuals with SIBO who struggle with weight gain. “Recent studies have indicated a link between SIBO and obesity.
While coffee does contain antioxidants, its acidity may cause irritation that causes SIBO flare-ups. These can include abdominal discomfort and indigestion.
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).
Yes, you can eat bananas with SIBO. However, the low FODMAP diet, the SCD, and the GAPS diet all differ in banana consumption recommendations. If you are following the low FODMAP diet, an unripe, green banana may be eaten while a ripe banana may not.
Many with SIBO have low stomach acid. Increasing stomach acid helps normalize the pH throughout the digestive system and prevent overgrowth. Some ways to increase stomach acid include taking apple cider vinegar or digestive bitters before meals or supplementing with HCl during meals.
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.
Have you already been diagnosed with SIBO? My suggestion is to try some ginger tea, it is a cheap and easy solution that can help. Ginger tea is perfect for your migrating motor complex (MMC) which is what drives your small intestine to push the food through to the large intestine.