SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth): Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Diet

The gut microbiome, made up of bacteria, is crucial to the digestive system. The small intestine does not have many bacteria, while the large intestine has most of them. Too many bacteria cannot flourish in the small intestine due to gastric secretions and the forward motion of food through the digestive system. However, germs can grow if these processes are ineffective.

High bacterial densities cannot be tolerated by the small intestine. These bacteria start to ferment the food when a person eats. These symptoms affect certain people. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and SIBO seem to be connected. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth is more common among IBS sufferers than in the general population. Not all people with an IBS diagnosis have SIBO, though. Read about Irritable bowel syndrome treatment cost in India.

The symptoms, risk factors, and complications of SIBO are discussed in this article. We also consider the best foods for symptom relief.

Signs And Symptoms of SIBO

SIBO symptoms can mirror a number of different gastrointestinal disorders, and frequently, another disorder has influenced the development of SIBO. Depending on how severe your disease is, you might suffer a few or a lot of these:

• Loss of appetite
• Indigestion
• Passing a lot of gas
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Belly pain
• Queasiness
• Bloating
• Uncomfortable fullness after eating

Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth Causes

SIBO still needs to be fully comprehended. It may happen when:

• Anatomical anomalies exist in your small intestine.
• because of the pH variations in your small intestine, your immune system is malfunctioning.
• Failure of the small intestine’s muscular action prevents food and microorganisms from being expelled from the organ.

SIBO is linked to a number of conditions, including:

• Gastroparesis
• Nerve damage
• Cirrhosis
• Portal hypertension
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Viral gastroenteritis
• Celiac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Hypochlorhydria, or low stomach acid levels
• Certain gastric bypass procedures
• Surgeries that cause strictures or adhesions

Learn about Small Intestine Transplant in India.

What Happens When SIBO Is Not Treated

Gas and bloating, as well as stomach pain and distension, are bad enough SIBO symptoms. However, if left untreated, SIBO can result in longer-lasting, more serious issues. Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies can result from the malabsorption of lipids, proteins, and carbs. Particularly, anemia and nervous system issues are brought on by vitamin B12 deficiency. Insufficient calcium absorption might result in kidney stones or long-term osteoporosis.

Risk 

SIBO is more common in those with specific underlying disorders than in healthy individuals. These individuals include those who:

• Short bowel syndrome
• Amyloidosis
• Systemic sclerosis
• Chronic kidney failure
• Hypothyroidism
• Diabetes
• Parkinson’s disease

SBIO Diagnosis

SIBO symptoms might resemble those of a wide range of other diseases. Consult a gastroenterologist if you’ve experienced symptoms that don’t go away. This kind of medical professional focuses on the digestive system.  They’ll likely request testing like these:

• X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs are imaging procedures used to examine for physical issues in your intestines.
• Blood tests to look for vitamin deficiencies or anemia
• Stool examinations to check for issues like the amount of fat your body is absorbing
• Fluid culture and aspiration of the small intestine. The small intestine is reached by your doctor passing an endoscope, a lengthy, thin tube, through your digestive system. To determine what kind of bacteria it contains, they take a small sample of the inside fluid and do a lab test called a culture.
• Breath test for hydrogen: You start by consuming a sweet beverage. You breathe into a balloon every 15 minutes for the next three hours. The hydrogen and methane levels in this air are checked to see if they are high enough to indicate SIBO.

SIBO Treatment 

Bringing your gut bacteria back into equilibrium is necessary for the treatment of SIBO. It should help your body absorb more nutrients from your food and lessen your symptoms. The outcome of your breath test might affect the course of treatment. The antibiotic rifaximin (Xifaxan) is the principal treatment if your sample had a lot of hydrogen. You’ll likely take rifaximin in addition to the antibiotic neomycin (Mycifradin) if your test revealed elevated methane levels.

These additional antibiotics are used to treat SIBO:

• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• Metronidazole (Flagyl)
• Norfloxacin (Noroxin)
• Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (Augmentin)
• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)

It’s possible that you’ll need to take antibiotics for longer than a week or two. Additionally, your doctor may alternate between various types. Your body may not be able to absorb enough iron, vitamin B12, thiamine, or niacin as a result of SIBO. Supplements could be useful.

If a physical issue with the intestine is the cause of SIBO in certain people, surgery may be necessary. If so, you should visit your doctor frequently following the procedure to monitor your gut health. Learn about Small Intestine Transplant Cost in India.

Best Hospitals for Intestine Transplant in India

• Fortis Hospital Gurgaon
• Indraprastha Apollo Hospital New Delhi
• Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Delhi
• Amrita Hospital, Faridabad
• Global Hospital Mumbai
• Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai

Small Intestinal Bacterial Over Growth Diet

Diets can help with symptoms but cannot treat SIBO. The low FODMAP diet is a well-liked choice, albeit what works can differ from person to person.

Diets low in FODMAPs restrict foods that have fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. These are chemicals that bacteria can feed on since the human body cannot break them down. Gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea may be lessened by limiting foods high in FODMAPs.

The low FODMAP diet emphasizes the importance of food variety and quantity. It is essential to collaborate with a dietitian to administer it because it is highly sophisticated and may require significant dietary adjustments. A qualified individual can guarantee that a person receives all the nutrients required.

Helpful: 8 Quick Steps to Prevent Small Intestine Cancer

Prevention

Although SIBO cannot always be avoided, people can take precautions to maintain their gut health. These consist of:

1. Consuming a balanced diet of nutritious foods can assist to diversify the gut flora, which may help to lower the risk of dysbiosis. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are particularly healthy foods.

2. Quitting smoking might alter the makeup of a person’s gut flora because cigarettes and other products containing nicotine can do so. This could contribute to dysbiosis.

3. Prokinetics are a class of medication that accelerates digestive motility. Those with a higher risk of developing SIBO, such as those who have underlying illnesses or take PPIs, may lower that risk.

4. Treating hypochlorhydria: Reducing low stomach acid levels may lower the risk of SIBO, while further research is required to prove this association. Depending on the cause, a doctor will decide how to treat hypochlorhydria.

5. Taking good care of other ailments: If a person has other conditions that are linked to SIBO, such as hypothyroidism or diabetes, doing so may lessen the influence those conditions have on the digestive tract.

Consult your doctor to be sure prebiotics and probiotic supplements are a good choice for you before you start taking them. Foods are always a fantastic starting point because they contain a variety of other beneficial elements.

Bottom Line

SIBO frequently results from an underlying disease. Develop a long-term treatment strategy with your doctor if you suffer from a chronic illness like Crohn’s disease or celiac disease.

Although treated, SIBO may return. When left untreated, it can also result in malnutrition and dehydration. If you think you may have SIBO, go to your doctor straight away so you can begin treatment.