SIBO - small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
Do you suffer from bloating, gas, diarrhoea, constipation or all of the above?
It’s frustrating, uncomfortable and at times embarrassing!!
Often these symptoms are labeled as IBS, with little understanding of what might be causing them or what can be done to reduce them.
Our gut is made up of trillions of different types of bacteria, often referred to as gut bugs, good bacteria, bad bacteria or our microbiome.
These bacteria are vital to our health and work symbiotically in the gut to produce metabolites which are used throughout the body for things like digestion, energy, immune function, mood regulation, sleep and so much more.
In a healthy gut the majority of bacteria is found in the large intestine. Like all things in nature they require the right environment and food sources to survive and thrive. Bacteria favourite food source is fibre. Certain types of fibre are indigestible which means they aren’t broken down by the gut. Fibre can make it’s way to the large intestine and feed the good bacteria that reside there.
When fibre rich foods are not made available through the diet, bacteria can die off or start to look else where for food. This can also happen when the environment of the large intestine becomes imbalanced or the function of the gut is impaired.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth or SIBO is the term used when bacteria overgrowth occurs in the small intestine. This causes food to ferment higher up in the digestive tract which gives us those uncomfortable IBS symptoms.
symptoms of SIBO include:
Bloating
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Abdominal pain & cramping
Gas
Burping
Reflux
Food intolerances and sensitivities
Brain fog
Fatigue
Skin rashes & break outs
Nutrient deficiencies
what causes SIBO?
The underlying cause of SIBO is different for every person. Here are some of the most common causes:
Weak or dysfunctional ileocecal valve (the valve that connects the large & small intestine)
Poor function of the Migrating Motor Complex or MMC (the small intestines natural clean up system)
History of infection or parasite (gastroenteritis, helicobacter pylori, Bali belly etc)
Poor diet
Medications (protein pump inhibiors, opiates or narcotics)
Imbalance in stomach acid
Stress
Eating too quickly
As the small intestine is where absorption takes place, untreated SIBO can lead to nutrient deficiencies. The gases produced from bacterial overgrowth can also damage the walls of the gut causing leaky gut which allows larger particles to leak through aggravating the immune system and creating extra work for the liver.
how do I know if I have SIBO?
Firstly do you present with any of the symptoms above? If you answer yes to most then there is a high chance you do.
There are a number of tests available for SIBO.
Breath test: This is the most common way to diagnose SIBO. The bacteria that cause SIBO release gases of hydrogen and methane which can be tested through the breath test. This test is simple and non invasive. It can be prescribe by your naturopath or doctor and preformed at home. It’s best to fast over night and test in the morning. The results can also help determine the direction of treatment.
Microbiome testing: There are a number of different microbiome testing available which test for strains of bacteria in a stool sample. This can be helpful in determining which types of bacteria you have residing in your colon and in what numbers. This type of testing cannot diagnose SIBO however it can give us an indication of possible overgrowth of bacteria in the gut.
Stool test: There are other stool tests available to determine if there is any parasite activity. This can help us to determine an underlying cause of your SIBO and also the correct approach to treatment.
how to treating SIBO:
Now if you have these symptoms don’t go running to eat fibre rich foods - it can sometimes cause more symptoms as you could be feeding the SIBO rather then the beneficial bacteria down low in the large in intestine.
It’s important to address the cause of the SIBO first. Work to reduce the overgrowth and improve the function of the gut so it doesn’t come back!
Preparing the body for SIBO die off is also important. You want to make sure your body is ready for it. If not done correctly, die off can cause you to feel worse before you feel better. Ensure your organs of elimination are ready and supported to help remove the die off from the body quickly.
Reducing SIBO can be done through food as well as anti microbial supplements. Your naturopath will be able to prescribe the right supplements for you each step of the way. This will depend on how you are presenting at the time. This step may need to be repeated a few times.
In my experience as a naturopath, SIBO symptoms can subside quickly after a round of anti microbial supplements however this doesn’t mean treatment should stop here. This is where the work really beings. It’s time to repair the damage, heal the gut, improve microbial diversity and get your gut functioning to it’s full potential.
what do I do if I think I have SIBO?
Book a naturopathy consult. The sooner you get on to it the better. Our naturopaths can help you reduce the symptoms why helping you understand the underlying cause so it doesn’t come back. You can book naturopathy consult here
Book a colonic - Colon hydrotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of SIBO while you address the underlying
