Do You Have SIBO Symptoms? Here Is ALL You Need to Know!
Millions of Americans suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms and distress each year. Diagnoses of leaky gut syndrome, Crohn’s and celiac disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) continue to grow, and researchers still can’t quite put their fingers on why our digestive systems are under attack.
Recently, researchers have started to acknowledge there’s another digestive disorder lurking: small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO. It’s more prevalent than previously believed, and it occurs in many people suffering from IBS and certain other underlying conditions. (1)
What Is SIBO?
SIBO is the acronym for “small intestinal bacterial overgrowth,” defined as excessive bacteria in the small intestine, or small bowel. While bacteria naturally occurs throughout the digestive tract, in a healthy system, the small intestine has relatively low levels of bacteria; it’s supposed to be at highest concentrations in the colon.
The small intestine is the longest section of the digestive tract. This is where the food intermingles with digestive juices, and the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. If SIBO is indicated, malabsorption of nutrients, particularly fat-soluble vitamins and iron, can quickly become a problem.
When in proper balance, the bacteria in the colon helps digest foods and the body absorb essential nutrients. However, when bacteria invades and takes over the small intestine, it can lead to poor nutrient absorption, symptoms commonly associated with IBS, and may even lead to damage of the stomach lining.
When you have SIBO, as food passes through the small intestine, the bacterial overgrowth interferes with the healthy digestive and absorption process. The bacterium associated with SIBO actually consumes some of the foods and nutrients, leading to unpleasant SIBO symptoms, including gas, bloating and pain.
Even when treating small intestinal bacterial overgrowth with antibiotics, relapse rate is high. This is a chronic condition that can be cured, but it takes patience, perseverance and a change in diet. In fact, SIBO treatment includes a healing diet, and some foods should be avoided until the gut flora is back in balance.
Symptoms
The indications of SIBO mirror the symptoms of other gastrointestinal disorders, including IBS. According to a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, there’s good reason for the similar symptoms — there’s a definite association between IBS and SIBO. Researchers suggest that physicians give consideration of excluding SIBO before giving a definitive diagnosis of IBS. (3)
Common symptoms of SIBO and IBS include:
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Malnutrition
- Weight loss
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Rashes
- Acne
- Eczema
- Asthma
- Depression
- Rosacea
Causes and Risk Factors
There are a number of underlying conditions believed to contribute to small intestine bacterial overgrowth. These include aging, dysmotility (when muscles in the digestive system don’t work properly), chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, diverticulosis, a structural defect in the small intestine, injury, fistula, intestinal lymphoma and scleroderma. (4)
The use of certain medications, including immunosuppressant medications, proton pump inhibitors, immune system disorders, recent abdominal surgery and celiac disease are also associated with an increased risk for developing SIBO. Celiac disease can be of particular concern as it disturbs gut motility leading to improper small intestine functioning. (5)
According to a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, 66 percent of patients with celiac disease who maintained a strict gluten-free diet tested positive for bacterial overgrowth.
In this study, patients were treated individually with a combination of antibiotics, prescription medications for worms and parasites, and a change in diet. All patients reported their symptoms were abated after SIBO treatment. (6)
Another underlying cause of SIBO symptoms is blind loop syndrome. This occurs when the small intestine actually forms a loop, causing food to bypass parts of the digestive tract. This causes food to move more slowly through the system, and the result is a breeding ground for bacteria. (7)
Metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes that’s not properly controlled, are believed to lead or contribute to certain gastrointestinal disorders. In fact, a study published in Diabetes & Metabolism indicates that SIBO was present in 43 percent of diabetics with chronic diabetes. (8)
Aging is another risk factor for developing small intestine bacterial overgrowth. As we age, the digestive tract slows down. It’s generally accepted that non-hospitalized adults over the age of 61 have a 15 percent prevalence rate of SIBO, in contrast with just under 6 percent in individuals 24 to 59 years old. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society also found that over 30 percent of disabled older adults have SIBO. (9)
Rosacea, a skin condition that causes redness and rashes on the face, (10) is also associated with SIBO symptoms. Researchers from the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Genoa in Italy found that rosacea patients have a significantly higher prevalence rate of SIBO.
For those who suffer with rosacea, there’s good news — this study also indicates “an almost complete regression of their cutaneous lesions and maintained this excellent result for at least 9 months” after the eradication of SIBO. (11)
As you can see, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is linked, caused or associated with a wide array of conditions. Even those not thought to be related to the gastrointestinal tract seem to correlate with SIBO symptoms.
Diagnosis
In order to diagnose SIBO, doctors use a hydrogen breath test to measure the amount of gas produced by the bacteria in the small intestine. The test measures the amount of hydrogen and methane in your body. This works because the only way the human body produces these gases is through the output of bacteria.
A solution containing one of the following sugars is used to complete the breath test:
First the patient participates in a special diet for two days prior to the test. Then the patient drinks a solution containing one of the sugars listed above, which feeds the bacteria. The breath test measures how much hydrogen and methane has been produced by the bacteria as a result. These findings enable your healthcare provider to assess whether you are dealing with SIBO. Feeding the fermentation process can make it harder to combat SIBO and its symptoms. During phase 1, it is important to avoid foods such as fructose, lactose, fructans, galactans, and polyols. Stick to a strict elimination of these foods for this period. While it may seem like there are limited options, there are still plenty of delicious and healthy foods to enjoy on the SIBO diet.
In phase 1, you can enjoy foods like wild-caught tuna and salmon, grass-fed beef and lamb, free-range poultry and eggs, raw hard cheeses, almond or coconut milk, leafy greens, squash, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, bananas, blueberries, grapes, cantaloupe, honeydew melons, pineapple, strawberries, quinoa, and sprouted nut butters. These foods are easy to digest and provide essential nutrients for healing the body from SIBO.
Transitioning to phase 2, the GAPS diet plan helps repair leaky gut syndrome and rebalance bacteria in the digestive tract. Avoid grains, processed sugars, high-starch foods, processed foods, and non-organic meats and dairy during this phase. Following the guidelines of the GAPS diet, including consuming bone broth, using coconut oil or ghee for cooking, eating fruit between meals, and introducing probiotic-rich foods slowly, will help continue the healing process.
Supplements and essential oils can also be beneficial in treating SIBO symptoms. Essential oils like peppermint oil, oregano oil, tarragon oil, frankincense oil, and clove oil have been shown to provide relief from gastrointestinal symptoms. Lifestyle changes such as eating smaller meals, chewing thoroughly, staying hydrated, managing stress, and incorporating activities like yoga, barre, tai chi, regular exercise, and acupuncture can also aid in healing the digestive system and combating SIBO. Eliminating FODMAPS from your diet for two weeks and then transitioning to the GAPS diet and protocol can kickstart the healing process and help eradicate the bacteria causing your SIBO symptoms. This approach can set you on the path to recovery and improved gut health.
Next, explore whether Histamine Intolerance may be the root cause of your allergies, headaches, and bloating.
