SIBO occurs in the small intestine as suggested and it can cause debilitating symptoms. When microorganisms from the large bowel find their way into the small intestine, due to a faulty ileocecal valve or other trauma to the bowel, such as a bout of gastroenteritis or surgery, they multiply quickly and become excessive in number. This can impact the health of the bowels and small intestine, compromising the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and causing slow motility
Two-thirds of patients experience uncomfortable symptoms such as abdominal pain, gas, extreme bloat or distended stomach, constipation or diarrhoea, nausea, heartburn, cramping, food sensitivities, skin symptoms (eg. eczema or rashes), respiratory symptoms (eg. asthma), mood symptoms (eg. depression and anxiety), joint pain and others. In extreme cases, weight loss, nutrient deficiencies and mucosal inflammation of the small intestine can also occur. Many people complain that their symptoms worsen as the day progresses, even after drinking water. People with SIBO may find it hard to digest and absorb nutrients, especially protein and carbohydrates, resulting in malabsorption. Further, damage to the gut barrier can increase immune activity due to inflammatory changes, which may worsen SIBO severity.
Instead of allowing the villi in your small intestine to absorb nutrients from food, the bacteria digest it and cause it to ferment. A by-product of the bacteria’s digestion is methane and hydrogen gas, which is only produced by the bacteria and not our bodies. These gases cause bloating, flatulence, cramping, diarrhoea, belching, constipation and more. The presence of SIBO may also aggravate other disorders, such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), as well as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), acne, rosacea, leaky gut, fibromyalgia and restless leg syndrome. This is directly linked to the damaged villi being unable to absorb nutrients . Other drivers of this condition can include:
While foods are not usually the original cause of SIBO, certain foods can encourage the overgrowth of the wrong bacteria in the small intestine and exacerbate the symptoms of SIBO. These include:
The general recommendation for a treatment diet plan is a low carbohydrate diet, with the intention of starving the problematic bacteria of their favourite food. Foods containing fermentable fibre, starch, lactose and fructose can make SIBO symptoms worse. Foods such as gluten and grains, starches such as potatoes, legumes and pulses, fruits and some vegetables can be problematic. Although a high fibre diet is an optimal choice for good health, people with SIBO may feel their symptoms exacerbated by fibre. SIBO generates toxins, which puts pressure on the lymphatic system and our body’s own detoxification system. Unfortunately, SIBO goes largely undiagnosed which can result in years of damage to the small intestine. People may develop intolerances to certain foods like gluten, lactose or fructose, as the small intestine becomes less equipped to manage it. It can be difficult to treat other digestive problems if SIBO remains present, and the longer it remains in the small intestine, the more damage it can cause.
SIBO is diagnosed with a SIBO pathology breath test, which can be arranged for you if required by our experienced Adelaide naturopath. This simple, non-invasive test measures hydrogen and methane levels in your breath to determine the presence of gas-producing bacteria in your gut. If your levels are above a certain number, it suggests an abundance of bacteria. You may also need to undergo a stool test to rule out other infective agents.
If left untreated or unmanaged, SIBO can cause more serious complications with long-term consequences. Malabsorption of fats, proteins and carbohydrates can lead to malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies. SIBO is treatable with the right diet, lifestyle changes and anti-bacterial herbal formulas. In addition, support may be required to encourage the growth and diversity of gut bacteria and to promote gut healing and improved motility.
As an experienced and leading Adelaide naturopath in South Australia, Merridy Casson has a unique functional medicine approach which revolves around identifying the underlying cause of her client’s health concerns or disease.
As an experienced and leading Adelaide naturopath in South Australia, Merridy Casson has a unique functional medicine approach which revolves around identifying the underlying cause of her client’s health concerns or disease.