Small intestine bacterial overgrowth is more likely to affect women, older persons, and those who have other digestive problems, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
What Is Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)?
This condition develops when there is an irregular increase in the general bacterial growth in the small intestine, especially bacteria that are not typically found in the small intestine. This disease is also known as blind loop syndrome sometimes.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of SIBO often include:
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Malnutrition
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Unintentional weight loss
- An uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating
What Causes SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)?
SIBO mainly occurs when:
- anatomic abnormalities happen in your small bowel
- changes in the PH levels arise in your small bowel
- your immune system is malfunctioning
- the small intestine loses the ability to effectively remove the food and bacteria due to the malfunction of its muscular activity
Risk Factors Associated with SIBO
At times, people with particular medical conditions are more prone to develop SIBO. For example, doctors consider the following conditions can accompany SIBO as a complication:
- IBS
- HIV
- cirrhosis
- Celiac Disease
- Crohn’s Disease
- Hypothyroidism Scleroderma
- Fibromyalgia
Apart from these, other risk factors that can cause SIBO to include:
- older age
- being female
- Previous bowel surgery
- drinking alcohol
- having recently finished a course of antibiotics
- long-term use of medications that lessen stomach acid production
SIBO Diet
If you do not have any anatomical problem but still have SIBO, a simple way to control your symptoms is to avoid sugary foods and drinks. Other diet changes that are recommended for SIBO are:
- Quit foods that trigger your symptoms
- Avoid liquid medications and fiber supplements that contain sugar or alcohol as an ingredient
- Avoid lactose
- Follow a low-FODMAP diet; FODMAP is a type of carbohydrate
- Try an elemental diet that involves unique nutritional formulas
- Consume prebiotics and probiotics after asking your doctor’s opinion
How to Treat SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)?
Usually, the treatment of SIBO is determined using a breath test. If you have a lot of hydrogen in your breath sample, you will be prescribed the antibiotic rifaximin (Xifaxin). On the other hand, if your sample showed higher methane levels, you’ll probably take rifaximin and the antibiotic neomycin (Mycifradin) together. You might need to take these antibiotics for the duration prescribed by your doctor.
If you are looking for expert SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) treatment, the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine can help you. You can call us at 843-572-1600 or fix an appointment today with our expert doctors.
Related Posts
Also Read – Gut Microbiome and Mental Health: Impact of Gut Microbiome On Your Mental Health
Also Read – How are Thyroid and Gastrointestinal Problems Connected?
Also Read – Thyroid and Acid Reflux: Is There a Connection?
Also Read – Thyroid Fatigue Symptoms: How Are Fatigue and Thyroid Disease Connected?
Dr. William J. Weirs is a board-certified expert in the field of Emergency Medicine. He has been practicing for over 10 years, expanding his knowledge about various types of patients and clinical problems. Dr. Weirs is currently involved with fulltime consultation in integrative, functional, and environmental medicine. He is an expert in many types of allergy-related disorders and various kinds of autoimmune diseases.