What is SIBO?
Do you have bloating and abdominal pain? Cramps, nausea or reflux, sometimes diarrhoea and sometimes constipation? Uncomfortable wind? Have you tried lots of things but struggle to manage your gut discomfort and pain?
SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and is now recognised as being a subset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
The small intestine is the human body’s main organ for absorption of nutrients and in it’s healthy state has very few bacteria present.
WHAT? When SIBO is present, there is an overgrowth of bacteria and other pathogens in the small intestine and they produce gasses that create bloating and pain. Excess gases can be toxic at high levels, so can drive a range of pathological body responses.
Common symptoms of SIBO are: bloating and abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, reflux, diarrhoea and/or constipation, flatulence, easy fullness or lack of appetite.
To be honest, these symptoms frequently present in clinic and they are not always SIBO. But if they continue to occur it’s worth seeing a Naturopath. Testing for SIBO is available and test results assist the practitioner to understand the type of SIBO (what gas is being produced) that they are dealing with and therefore how best to treat it.
SIBO symptoms often accompany other conditions that may have been present for a long time. Conditions associated with SIBO include: fatigue, weight gain or difficulty shifting weight, headaches, brain fog, thyroid problems, mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, Rosacea, joint aches, skin problems including acne, brain injury. In this situation, the SIBO adds another layer on top of the underlying illness, making it confusing and difficult to treat. Once the SIBO is treated, the patient experience of the underlying condition may also start to improve.
The WHY? of SIBO varies from case to case but includes: low gastric acid, not enough bile in the digestive tract, some prescription medications, inadequate digestive enzymes, poor immunity, ileocaecal valve reflux (into the small bowel), slow or irregular bowel movements. And that just for starters!
If you’ve been troubled by digestive issues, make time to see a qualified Naturopath who can assist you in your quest for digestive and whole health.