![]() ![]() If you think you might be suffering from SIBO, it's best to schedule an appointment with a naturopathic/integrative medical provider to get the right assessment, testing, and treatment. The gasses are measured over 2-3 hours and are compared to a baseline.īecause of how much overlap there is between SIBO and other GI conditions, it's always best to test to make sure you know what you're treating so there's no risk of unnecessary treatments or misdiagnosis. The following day the breath test measures how much methane and hydrogen gas is produced by the bacteria after consuming a sugary drink solution. It consists of a prep diet that removes foods known to feed the bacteria and worsen SIBO symptoms. SIBO is typically tested via a hydrogen breath test. Pancreatic insufficiency or chronic pancreatitis.Without the body being able to move waste effectively and consistently through the gut, the more likely the chance of bacterial overgrowth. The most common underlying reason for SIBO is related to "intestinal motility" (how good is your gut at keeping things moving), altered gut microbiome, and damage/inflammation of the intestinal tract. Identifying SIBO is important, but equally as important is understanding why it developed in the first place so that we can address it and prevent future recurrences. The exact mechanism isn't clear however, an overgrowth of bacteria can result in decreased nutrient absorption and increased production of toxic metabolites, which likely are contributing factors to the mood changes seen. SIBO has been highly correlated to increases in anxiety and depression. The microbiome directly influences mental health, and SIBO is no exception. The gut-brain axis has become well established in medicine. ![]() In addition to gut symptoms, you also have elevated anxiety and/or depression In a review of fifty studies looking at the prevalence of SIBO among patients with IBS, more than one-third of patients diagnosed with IBS were also diagnosed with SIBO. Not all people who have IBS have SIBO, but if you've been diagnosed with IBS and have not been able to get the symptoms under control, it might be something to look into. You've been diagnosed with IBS or struggle with chronic diarrhea/constipation When we are not eating throughout the night, these symptoms are alleviated, and we feel better when we first wake up. When we are actively eating throughout the day, the fermentable carbohydrates we are eating are being actively broken down by the bacteria, resulting in gas production and increased bloating. This is mainly due to the fermentation of carbohydrates from the overgrown bacteria, producing large amounts of gas (typically hydrogen). Gas and bloating are hallmark symptoms of SIBO. ![]() You experience bloating that worsens throughout the day and is alleviated first thing in the morning Prebiotics are perfect if the goal is to rebuild healthy bacteria, but they can make the symptoms of SIBO significantly worse by further increasing the overgrowth numbers. Prebiotics are fibers found in foods (i.e., inulin, resistant starches) and help promote the growth of bacteria. Many brands of probiotics contain prebiotics as well. In SIBO, they might just be making matters worse. Probiotics are often touted as the catch-all treatment for GI concerns. Your symptoms get worse with probiotics containing prebiotics If you notice that your GI symptoms improve with a round of antibiotics, it just may be that they are knocking back some of that overgrowth leading to a reduction in symptoms. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics are "broad-spectrum," meaning they kill a wide variety of bacteria including those commonly found in the GI tract. Your symptoms get better with antibiotic useĭifferent antibiotics have a different range of bacteria they will kill. This may be an overgrowth of what is already in the small intestine, or alternatively, bacteria that make their way from the large intestine to the small intestine, causing an increase in numbers. SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) is a condition in which there are too many bacteria in the small intestine, resulting in a cluster of symptoms. But it's not just about having the right "types" of bacteria, but also how much of those bacteria are present. The health of our microbiome has an impact on our health, ranging from our cardiovascular function, immune function, mental health, metabolic function, and more. At this point in 2022, we've all heard how important the intestinal microbiome is.
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