SIBO: Everything you need to know
Have you ever consumed some food or drink and within a few hours seen that your belly is so bloated that you can’t fasten your pants? It’s not unusual for my clients to inform me that they get up with a flat tummy and by the close of the day they look seven months pregnant. Even if you haven’t endured abdominal swelling to such an extreme, any amount of bloating is not healthy, and it is a mark of intestinal inflammation. If you’re producing gas and bloating frequently, you could have food sensitivities and a gut infection, such as SIBO.
What is SIBO?
SIBO or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth happens when the bacteria in our gut get out of balance and overgrow. Most of your friendly bacteria should reside in your large intestine. When you have SIBO, these bacteria overgrow into your small intestine. This overgrowth occurs when you have a slowing down peristalsis through the digestive tract.
What causes weak peristalsis?
- Intestinal wall nerve damage, For example, diabetes mellitus and scleroderma can both affect the muscles in the gut.
- Scarring from surgeries or Crohn’s disease.
- Diverticulitis, which are tiny pouches that can form in the wall of the small intestine.
- Medications such as antibiotics, acid-blocking drugs, and steroids.
- A diet high in sugar processed carbohydrates and alcohol.
17 Signs Of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
- Abdominal bloating
- Belching,
- Flatulence
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Constipation and or Diarrhea.
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Food Sensitivities
- Headaches
- Joint Pain
- Fatigue
- Eczema or rashes
- Asthma
- Depression
- Fatty stools – stools that float
- Iron Deficiency Anaemia or B12 deficiency that does not resolve with supplementation
- Weight Loss
How to test for SIBO
The gold standard test for testing SIBO is a lactulose breath test. This test is not readily available in Canada but can be obtained from labs in the US such as Genova Diagnostics.
If you have any questions about this article either post them in the comments section below or email using the form on my contact page.
Disclaimer
This article in not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.