Overview
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a complex medical condition whereby the small intestine is overcome by foreign bacteria. SIBO is a common condition that is thought to be underdiagnosed. Because SIBO symptoms often coincide and overlap with other gastrointestinal conditions, patients frequently delay seeking treatment.
What Is SIBO?
SIBO is characterized by an excess of unhealthy bacteria growth in the small intestine. Sometimes called the small bowel, the small intestine resembles a twisty maze-like structure. It is about 20-25 feet long making it the longest section of the gastrointestinal tract. When normal digestion is stalled, the small intestine becomes vulnerable to stagnant waste products, making it an ideal environment for foreign bacteria growth.
SIBO is classified into three distinct types, each distinguished by distinct bacterium types:
1. Hydrogen-Dominant SiBO
This type of SIBO describes the type of bacteria that produce hydrogen gas. Studies suggest that diarrhea is more likely to accompany this type of bacterial overgrowth.
2. Methane-Dominant SIBO
This SIBO type is characterized by the presence of methane producing microbes that contribute to bacterial overgrowth and slowed digestion. Research finds that constipation is commonly associated with the presence of methane gas bacteria in the small intestine.
3. Mixed-Dominant SIBO
Mixed dominant SIBO marks the presence of both methane and hydrogen producing bacteria.
What are the symptoms of SIBO?
Most patients with SIBO experience one or more symptoms with varying levels of severity. The symptoms may also be chronic in nature – meaning they are ongoing without any successful resolution using traditional over-the-counter treatments (i.e. antacids, fiber supplements, laxatives, etc.)
Common symptoms include:
- A feeling of fullness
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Pain and distention in the abdomen
- Bloating, gas, indigestion
- Bad taste in mouth, bad breath
- Frequent bouts of constipation or diarrhea
- Weakness, fatigue, and/or general unwellness
Contact Dr. Sarita Mathani from South Park Functional Medicine for a comprehensive wellness plan when you’re undergoing SIBO treatment.
Understanding SIBO Conditions
Coping with the effects of SIBO can be debilitating and can easily exacerbate gastrointestinal conditions making the healing process tricky to navigate. SIBO can lead to unforeseen health complications due to poor food digestion which prevents proper absorption of nutrient-dense foods i.e., healthy fats, lean proteins, and carbohydrates. Understanding how SIBO can impact your general health may help provide a clearer picture of what to expect pre- and post-treatment.
1. How does SIBO affect my body?
Weight loss, decreased appetite, and fatigue are just a few ways SIBO can impact the body. In more severe cases, malnutrition sets in leading to more serious health issues such as bone disease (osteopenia and osteoporosis), liver disease, kidney stones, pancreatitis, and life-threatening dehydration.
2. How does SIBO occur?
SIBO is essentially a byproduct of a highly imbalanced microbiome. Our microbiome is a personalized ecosystem comprised of digestive enzymes, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that break down food into absorbable nutrients. Each of us has a unique gut microbiome that harbors a naturally occurring balance to keep our systems working optimally.
In today’s fast-paced society, the immune system is easily taxed by chronic stress, advanced disease, and poor lifestyle choices. Consequently, the microbiome becomes weakened and compromises normal GI function. The disrupted flow of waste from the body allows non-native bacteria to overwhelm the small intestine. However, a SIBO treatment from Dr. Mathani can treat digestive distress and help your body heal effectively.
3. What causes SIBO?
The exact causes of SIBO are poorly understood. Research suggests that surgical procedures, infections, antibiotics, medications (like proton pump inhibitors- PPI’s) and radiation correlate strongly with SIBO cases. Other risk factors include certain gastrointestinal diseases including:
- Celiac disease
- Pancreatitis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Bowel Motility Dysfunction
- GERD
- Diabetes
Diagnostics and Tests
1. How Do I Know If I Have SIBO or IBS?
The symptoms for SIBO and IBS often overlap so doctors don’t often rely solely on this evidence alone. Further testing and evaluation are required for a treating physician to accurately diagnose either condition.
2. How is SIBO Diagnosed?
A SIBO diagnosis is normally confirmed by the administration of a hydrogen breath test following an overnight fast. The test is non-invasive and typically conducted in a clinical setting or via a at home breath test. The testing parameters also require the patient to avoid antibiotics, laxatives, and prokinetic type medications or supplements for one week prior to the test.
Functional Approach Benefits
The medical community is rapidly shifting towards precision medicine-guided practices along with the SIBO treatment plan. Working from this holistic lens is the hallmark of functional approaches and individualized care. In addition to treating SIBO conditions with the necessary interventions, functional medicine doctors search to restore balance to the whole body.
Clinical studies conclude that functional approaches help patients feel confident in their treatment plans. Physicians find that treatment adherence is the key to a positive outcome.
If you’re still struggling to cope with the digestive issues, then get in touch with Dr. Sarita Mathani right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Common is SIBO?
Studies suggest that SIBO tends to be more common (as much as 80%) in adults with preexisting digestive conditions such as IBS and Crohn’s Disease. However, the prevalence statistics in healthy adults show a much wider percentage gap (between 1-40%). SIBO can also affect healthy children with an approximate incidence rate ranging from 0-35%.
2. How do you fix SIBO?
Functional medicine doctors can integrate traditional medications with holistic treatments to get the best results. This may translate to prescribing an antibiotic along with specific herbs to help support the body during the multi-stage healing process. SIBO treatment protocols may also depend upon the person’s condition, the severity, and how quickly the body responds to initial treatment plans.
3. How can I prevent SIBO from recurring?
Stress, poor diet, and undiagnosed autoimmune disease may play a role in how the gastrointestinal system performs. Your functional medicine doctor in Charlotte, NC will explore how to rebuild the natural gut flora through lifestyle changes, and possibly supplements, which will assist in preventing SIBO recurrence.
4. What is a good diet plan to manage SIBO?
Nutrition can be a pivotal component to effectively managing SIBO and preventing recurrences. Alongside the treatments used to treat SIBO, a low FODMAP diet for 1 month is usually recommended. FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols) are carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine. Some examples of FODMAP foods may include dairy, fruit, sweeteners, onion, and garlic. The bacteria in the small intestine depends on these foods, which leads to gas, bloating, and the other symptoms of SIBO. By eliminating these foods, the bacteria are starved and can’t overgrow. Over time, FODMAP foods are gradually reintroduced into the diet. This is an example of how diet is a key aspect of healing and needs to be incorporated into a treatment regimen to optimize healing.
Book an appointment today with Dr. Mathani to know more about how you can gain relief from the SIBO treatment.
5. Does methane SIBO cause bad breath?
Yes, methane SIBO can cause bad breath, though the mechanism is a bit different from hydrogen-dominant SIBO.
