Table of Contents
Introduction
Did you know that Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is often linked to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which affects 10–15% of the global population? SIBO occurs when there’s an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, leading to uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, gas, and digestive distress. Left untreated, it can disrupt nutrient absorption, impact overall health, and diminish quality of life.
In this article, we’ll explore SIBO, its effects on gut health, common symptoms, and how it’s diagnosed. You’ll also learn about practical dietary changes, innovative tools like the FoodMarble, and how Unio Specialty Care can help restore your gut health naturally. For more information, visit Unio Specialty Care.
What Is SIBO?
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when an excessive number of bacteria normally found in the colon (large intestine) populate the small intestine. This overgrowth disrupts normal digestion and can also interfere with nutrient absorption, potentially leading to deficiencies.
SIBO often develops alongside conditions that impair the small intestine’s natural motility (contraction patterns), such as IBS, celiac disease, or Crohn’s disease. Without proper movement to clear excess bacteria, the small intestine becomes vulnerable to this imbalance. Managing SIBO involves addressing bacterial overgrowth and its underlying causes to promote lasting gut health.
How Does SIBO Affect Gut Health?
SIBO disrupts the delicate balance of the gut microbiome, significantly impacting digestive health. When excess bacteria inhabit the small intestine, they ferment undigested food prematurely, producing gas and causing symptoms like bloating, pain, and irregular bowel movements. Over time, this can interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to deficiencies in key vitamins like B12 and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).
Research highlights that SIBO is also associated with damage to the small intestine’s lining. This can trigger inflammation and worsen other gastrointestinal conditions, such as IBS or celiac disease.
What Are the Common Symptoms of SIBO?
SIBO can cause a range of uncomfortable digestive symptoms, which often overlap with other gastrointestinal conditions like IBS. Recognizing these symptoms is the first step toward diagnosis and effective treatment.
Common symptoms include:
- Bloating: Excess gas production due to bacterial fermentation in the small intestine.
- Abdominal pain or discomfort: Often caused by gas buildup and inflammation, increased nerve sensitivity.
- Diarrhea or constipation: Disrupted digestion can lead to irregular bowel movements.
- Excessive gas: Frequent belching or flatulence due to fermentation of undigested food.
- Nutrient deficiencies: Poor absorption of vitamins like B12, leading to fatigue or weakness.
- Unintended weight changes: Either weight loss from nutrient malabsorption or weight gain from poor digestion.
How Is SIBO Diagnosed?
Diagnosing SIBO involves tests designed to detect bacterial overgrowth and rule out other gastrointestinal conditions. An accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure effective treatment.
Key diagnostic methods include:
- Breath tests: The most common method involves drinking a sugar solution (such as lactulose or glucose) and measuring hydrogen and methane levels in your breath. Elevated levels indicate bacterial overgrowth.
- Small intestine aspirate and culture: This is a more invasive and impractical research procedure that directly samples fluid from the small intestine to identify bacterial overgrowth.
- Clinical evaluation: A detailed review of symptoms and medical history to identify potential risk factors for SIBO, such as IBS or prior abdominal surgery.
Timely diagnosis helps address SIBO effectively and prevents complications related to untreated bacterial overgrowth.
What Are the Root Causes of SIBO?
When the small intestine’s natural processes are disrupted, it creates an environment for bacterial overgrowth that can result in SIBO. Some common root causes of SIBO include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Sometimes SIBO is a major cause or contributor; this may be the after effect of common GI infections (food poisoning) which sometimes occurred years before chronic symptoms develop but sometimes IBS starts soon after a ‘stomach bug’ as an after-effect
- Abdominal surgeries: Procedures like gastric bypass or gastrectomy can alter the digestive system, creating conditions that favor bacterial overgrowth.
- Structural abnormalities: Issues such as scar tissue (intestinal adhesions) or bulging pouches in the small intestinal lining (diverticulosis, which is way more common in the colon where it doesn’t cause SMALL intestine bacterial overgrowth) can trap bacteria in the small intestine.
- Chronic conditions: Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or scleroderma can damage the intestinal lining or affect its function, increasing the risk of bacterial imbalance.
- Reduced gut motility: Conditions like diabetes or IBS can slow the movement of food and waste through the intestines, giving bacteria more time to multiply.
- Radiation therapy: Damage caused by radiation to the intestines can impair normal function and lead to bacterial overgrowth.
How Can the FoodMarble Help Monitor SIBO Symptoms?
Managing SIBO effectively requires ongoing monitoring of symptoms, and the FoodMarble device offers an innovative way to track your digestive health. This portable breath analyzer measures hydrogen and methane levels after meals, helping to identify foods that trigger symptoms like bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.
Key benefits of using FoodMarble include:
- Real-time feedback: Tracks how your body responds to specific foods, allowing you to make informed dietary choices.
- Personalized insights: Identifies trigger foods and patterns unique to your digestive system.
- Convenient and non-invasive: Provides a simple, at-home alternative to traditional breath tests.
- Supports dietary adjustments: Helps refine a low-FODMAP or other SIBO-specific diet by pinpointing foods that cause discomfort.
With FoodMarble, you can improve your SIBO symptoms and work toward better gut health. Learn more about incorporating this tool into your care plan at Unio Specialty Care.
What Dietary Changes Help Restore Gut Health with SIBO?
Making lifestyle changes, especially dietary adjustments, is important for long-term gut health. These changes help reduce bacterial overgrowth, alleviate symptoms, and support recovery.
Key strategies include:
- Low-FODMAP diet: Cutting back on fermentable carbohydrates to reduce gas and bloating.
- Avoiding high-fiber foods: Limiting legumes, raw vegetables, and whole grains that feed bacteria.
- Incorporating easily digestible foods: Cooked vegetables, lean proteins, and low-fiber fruits are gentler on the gut.
- Limiting sugar intake: Reducing sugar helps curb bacterial fermentation.
- Eating smaller, frequent meals: Prevents excessive fermentation and eases digestion.
These dietary changes and medical guidance can significantly improve SIBO symptoms and restore gut balance but should be pursued only after you’re advised by your GI professional or RD dietitian knowledgeable about these disorders, since some diets are not nutritionally sound long-term if you don’t get guidance.
How Can Unio Specialty Care Treat You With SIBO?
At Unio Specialty Care, we provide comprehensive support for SIBO, starting with accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans. Our team works closely with you to identify the root causes of your symptoms and create a management strategy tailored to your needs.
With expert guidance on dietary changes and treatment options, Unio Specialty Care helps you restore gut health and improve your quality of life. Learn more about our services or schedule your consultation at Unio Specialty Care today!
- By: Unio Specialty Care, Published: 02/17/25
- Medically Reviewed By: Glenn Littenberg, MD 02/01/25