Are you suffering from small intestinal bacterial overgrowth?
Learn more about small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and the relevant treatments available.
Are you suffering from small intestinal bacterial overgrowth?
Learn more about small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and the relevant treatments available.
What is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)?
SIBO occurs when there is an abnormal increase in the bacteria that colonises the small intestine leading to a number of gastrointestinal issues.
In general, the large intestine contains a large amount of bacteria or gut microbiome, and the small intestine has a limited amount; therefore, the small intestine cannot handle a large number of bacteria.
People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more likely to develop SIBO as the two conditions are closely related to each other; however, not everyone who is diagnosed with IBS will test positive for SIBO.
Common symptoms of SIBO include:
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Vitamin B12 deficiency or any other unexplained vitamin deficiency
If you are experiencing gastrointestinal difficulties related to this condition, obtaining the right small intestinal bacterial overgrowth treatment can help you reduce your symptoms and enjoy better gastrointestinal health.
What is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)?
SIBO occurs when there is an abnormal increase in the bacteria that colonises the small intestine leading to a number of gastrointestinal issues.
In general, the large intestine contains a large amount of bacteria or gut microbiome, and the small intestine has a limited amount; therefore, the small intestine cannot handle a large number of bacteria.
People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more likely to develop SIBO as the two conditions are closely related to each other; however, not everyone who is diagnosed with IBS will test positive for SIBO.
Common symptoms of SIBO include:
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Vitamin B12 deficiency or any other unexplained vitamin deficiency
If you are experiencing gastrointestinal difficulties related to this condition, obtaining the right small intestinal bacterial overgrowth treatment can help you reduce your symptoms and enjoy better gastrointestinal health.
What is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)?
SIBO occurs when there is an abnormal increase in the bacteria that colonises the small intestine leading to a number of gastrointestinal issues.
In general, the large intestine contains a large amount of bacteria or gut microbiome, and the small intestine has a limited amount; therefore, the small intestine cannot handle a large number of bacteria.
People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more likely to develop SIBO as the two conditions are closely related to each other; however, not everyone who is diagnosed with IBS will test positive for SIBO.
Common symptoms of SIBO include:
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Vitamin B12 deficiency or any other unexplained vitamin deficiency
If you are experiencing gastrointestinal difficulties related to this condition, obtaining the right small intestinal bacterial overgrowth treatment can help you reduce your symptoms and enjoy better gastrointestinal health.
Diagnosing small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
In order to determine the right small intestinal bacterial overgrowth treatment, your physician will run a series of tests to arrive at the right diagnosis.
As with most medical conditions, your physician will ask you about your symptoms and medical history to determine if there are any factors that could lead to a positive diagnosis.
Subsequently, your physician may conduct a physical examination where they feel your abdomen for signs of bloating or excess gas.
Based on the examination, your physician may request you to undergo one or more of the following tests if they suspect that you are suffering from SIBO.
- Breath test: The patient will be requested to fast for 24 hours and consume a solution, after which the physician will test their breath to determine if they have SIBO.
- Small bowel aspirate and culture: A tissues sample will be taken from your duodenum via an endoscopy
- Blood test: To detect if there are any markers for inflammation or autoimmunity
- Mobility test: To identify if there are any structural issues in the small intestine
- Stool test: To analyse the gut microbiome
- Intestinal permeability test: To identify if the intestinal lining has been compromised
Diagnosing small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
In order to determine the right small intestinal bacterial overgrowth treatment, your physician will run a series of tests to arrive at the right diagnosis.
As with most medical conditions, your physician will ask you about your symptoms and medical history to determine if there are any factors that could lead to a positive diagnosis.
Subsequently, your physician may conduct a physical examination where they feel your abdomen for signs of bloating or excess gas.
Based on the examination, your physician may request you to undergo one or more of the following tests if they suspect that you are suffering from SIBO.
- Breath test: The patient will be requested to fast for 24 hours and consume a solution, after which the physician will test their breath to determine if they have SIBO.
- Small bowel aspirate and culture: A tissues sample will be taken from your duodenum via an endoscopy
- Blood test: To detect if there are any markers for inflammation or autoimmunity
- Mobility test: To identify if there are any structural issues in the small intestine
- Stool test: To analyse the gut microbiome
- Intestinal permeability test: To identify if the intestinal lining has been compromised
Diagnosing small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
In order to determine the right small intestinal bacterial overgrowth treatment, your physician will run a series of tests to arrive at the right diagnosis.
As with most medical conditions, your physician will ask you about your symptoms and medical history to determine if there are any factors that could lead to a positive diagnosis.
Subsequently, your physician may conduct a physical examination where they feel your abdomen for signs of bloating or excess gas.
Based on the examination, your physician may request you to undergo one or more of the following tests if they suspect that you are suffering from SIBO.
- Breath test: The patient will be requested to fast for 24 hours and consume a solution, after which the physician will test their breath to determine if they have SIBO.
- Small bowel aspirate and culture: A tissues sample will be taken from your duodenum via an endoscopy
- Blood test: To detect if there are any markers for inflammation or autoimmunity
- Mobility test: To identify if there are any structural issues in the small intestine
- Stool test: To analyse the gut microbiome
- Intestinal permeability test: To identify if the intestinal lining has been compromised
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth treatment
SIBO may occur due to a number of complex reasons and, therefore, can be difficult to treat. Here are some of the treatment options that are available for individuals who are diagnosed with SIBO.
Antibiotics
This is the main treatment that physicians will utilise for SIBO patients. Your physician may prescribe either one or a combination of antibiotics, depending on the overgrowth.
Antimicrobials
This is an option for people who are looking for a more natural treatment. A combination of herbs or herbal extracts will be taken for a total of 4-6 weeks as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Fecal microbiota transplants
This is a fairly new treatment that requires a donor’s gut flora to be inserted into the SIBO patient through their rectum.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth diet
The Elemental Diet is a form of treatment where the bacteria is starved while nutrition is continuously provided to the patient. An Elemental Formula is used to introduce powdered nutrients in a pre-digested form and is consumed for 2-3 weeks.
Antibiotics
This is the main treatment that physicians will utilise for SIBO patients. Your physician may prescribe either one or a combination of antibiotics, depending on the overgrowth.
Antimicrobials:
This is an option for people who are looking for a more natural treatment. A combination of herbs or herbal extracts will be taken for a total of 4-6 weeks as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Fecal microbiota transplants
This is a fairly new treatment that requires a donor’s gut flora to be inserted into the SIBO patient through their rectum.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth diet
The Elemental Diet is a form of treatment where the bacteria is starved while nutrition is continuously provided to the patient. An Elemental Formula is used to introduce powdered nutrients in a pre-digested form and is consumed for 2-3 weeks.
If you are experiencing lower abdominal pain, seeking medical advice from a qualified and experienced gastrointestinal specialist could be the best decision you can make for your health
What you should know about small intestinal bacterial overgrowth treatment
The type of antibiotics prescribed may change
While antibiotics are the main small intestinal bacterial overgrowth treatment option, studies show that antibiotics work best for patients with hydrogen dominant overgrowths. Those suffering from methane dominant overgrowths can benefit from Neomycin and/or Rifaximin.
Depending on the root cause, the type of antibiotic prescribed may change.
A small intestinal bacterial overgrowth diet may reduce symptoms
Regardless of the type of SIBO diet, it may not be able to cure your condition; instead, it could help reduce the symptoms.
Getting the right diet from an experienced physician may prove to be effective. It may also reduce the need for medications such as antibiotics and provides a more natural cure.
A small intestinal bacterial overgrowth diet may reduce symptoms
Regardless of the type of SIBO diet, it may not be able to cure your condition; instead, it could help reduce the symptoms.
Getting the right diet from an experienced physician may prove to be effective. It may also reduce the need for medications such as antibiotics and provides a more natural cure.
SIBO may get worse without the proper treatment
Many people who suffer from SIBO symptoms do not realise that their symptoms are caused by bacterial overgrowth.
If the condition is left untreated, then there could be serious complications, including malnutrition, dehydration, and nutrient deficiencies like B12 deficiency.
SIBO can be cured with the right treatment
The right treatment can cure SIBO by addressing the underlying cause and eradicating it within a few weeks.
Obtaining the right treatment from a medical professional
Refrain from using over-the-counter antibiotics and self-created diets to cure SIBO.
Getting the right diagnosis and the right treatment can help you not only reduce the symptoms but perhaps find a more permanent cure for SIBO.
Self-diagnosing and self-prescribing may also cause more harm and create further complications as it could aggravate your condition if the right medication and treatment aren’t used.
FAQ
What are the risk factors for SIBO?
One of the biggest risk factors for SIBO is having a chronic condition or surgery that affects the GI tract.
Some of the diseases, chronic conditions, and factors that can increase your risk include:
- HIV
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Crohn’s disease
- Systemic sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Medications that slow down the gut
Can a bad diet cause SIBO?
There’s no evidence that a certain type of diet can result in SIBO. A special small intestinal bacterial overgrowth diet, however, can help people with SIBO find relief.
Nevertheless, it’s still important to talk to a doctor before making any sudden changes to your diet.
What kind of diet can help manage SIBO?
In most cases, you may only need to make small changes to your diet to manage the condition.
This will usually include:
- Eating a balanced diet with plenty of nutrition
- Avoiding gluten products if you have coeliac disease
- Eating smaller meals so that not too much food sits around in your stomach
There are also specific small intestinal bacterial overgrowth diets that focus on a diet low in FODMAPs, which are difficult-to-digest carbohydrates that are fermented by gut bacteria.
As every case is different, it’s important to follow the advice of a healthcare professional so you can get the best small intestinal bacterial overgrowth treatment.
Schedule an appointment with a gastrointestinal specialist
The specialists at the Sydney Gut Clinic are trained and experienced in treating a number of gastrointestinal conditions, including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
If you are experiencing symptoms related to SIBO, then consult a specialist today.
Sydney Gut Clinic services are only available to patients in Australia.