7 Little Known Warning Signs That You May Have SIBO
SIBO, or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, is characterized, as the name implies, by excessive bacteria in the small intestine.
Typical symptoms include bloating, gas and constipation and or diarrhea.
If you thought not having these symptoms meant you do not have SIBO, think again.
There is growing evidence to show that SIBO can manifest symptoms both inside and outside of the gut. Read on to learn more about some of the little-known signs and symptoms of SIBO that I observe daily in my practice.
Do you Burp after meals?
Most of your friendly bacteria or microbiota should reside in your large intestine. Your small intestine should be virtually sterile.
One of the main occupations of the microbiota is to break down fermentable carbohydrates and produce valuable nutrients for your body and gases.
When SIBO occurs, your microbiota overgrows from your large intestine to your small intestine. The microbiota that now lives in your small intestine continues to feed on these carbohydrates and produce gases.
These gases become partially trapped in the small intestine leading to the typical bloating and gas. These gases are expelled upwards, causing burping.
So, if you find yourself burping a lot, especially after eating, this could be a symptom of SIBO.
Do you experience Fibromyalgia symptoms?
Fibromyalgia symptoms include chronic muscle pain and stiffness, especially across the upper back, neck and shoulders. There has been growing evidence of a link between Fibromyalgia and SIBO two studies published in the Annals of Rheumatic Disease, researchers from the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found a direct association between subjects with fibromyalgia and SIBO. (1) (2)
Do you get Interstitial cystitis?
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain. A large number of people who suffer from IC have SIBO. In a study published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences, researchers found 81% of 21 subjects with IC tested positive for SIBO. (3)
Are You Lactose Intolerance?
People with lactose intolerance are unable to digest lactose completely. Lactose is a sugar found in milk. A small but significant amount of people with lactose intolerance also have SIBO. In a study published in the Saudia Arabia Journal of Gastroenterology, researchers found that 18% of subjects with IBS were lactose intolerant. (4)
Do you have chronic low Iron and or B12?
You may have SIBO if you suffer from chronic low B12 or iron that does not increase with supplementation. It is thought that the bacteria that have overgrown into the small intestine take up nutrients such as B12 and iron before they can be absorbed. (5)
Do you suffer from Restless Legs?
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is when you have an uncontrollable urge to move your legs. It typically occurs in the evenings while sitting or when you first lie down to go to bed. Recent research has found a strong association between IBS and RLS. In a study published in 2012, researchers found that 25% of people with RLS suffered from SIBO compared to 6.5% of controls. (6)
Do you have Diabetes?
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes and suffer from digestive symptoms, you may have SIBO. A recent study observed that SIBO was present in 43% of diabetic patients with chronic diarrhea, and 75% had a positive change in their symptoms after being treated with antibiotics. (7)
Conclusion
If you suffer from any of the above conditions with or without other digestive symptoms, I suggest that it is worth looking into the possibility of SIBO.
SIBO is diagnosed using a Lactulose breath test.
Disclaimer
This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Now I’d like to hear from you.
Do you suffer from any of the above conditions?
Have you heard of SIBO?
Let us know in the comments below.