Your guide to Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth or SIBO
Updated: May 11
Closely associated with irritable bowel syndrome, SIBO or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is exactly that, an overgrowth of microorganisms that normally reside in the lower part of the gut (colon). Symptoms can be debilitating and unfortunately recurrence is common but anyone with gut issues, food sensitivities, autoimmune disorders and malabsorption symptoms (eg anemia) should be assessed for SIBO. Here's an important summary of this potentially devastating condition.
What are the symptoms and key indicators of SIBO?
Irritable bowel symptoms such a....
Bloating and gas
Belching and flatulence
Abdominal pain and/ or cramps
Diarrhea or constipation on both
Other symptoms include:
Heartburn
Nausea
Food senstivities
Headaches
Joint pain
Respiratory Symptoms
Skin reactions
Malabsorption symptoms eg. anemia, steatorrhea
Brain symptoms such as brain fog, poor memory, depression/anxiety
Note: Systemic symptoms are due to hyper-permeability of the gut causing malabsorption, toxin release into the blood stream and an inflammatory and immune response.
Key indicators include:
A dramatic but short term improvement in IBS or gut symptoms after a course of antibiotics.
Chronic gut symptoms occurring after a long term course of broad spectrum anti-biotics (eg. amoxicillin, penicillin, erythromycin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin).
Worsening of GI symptoms from probiotic use or consuming fermented foods.
Worsening of symptoms when increase fibre or take prebiotics (as food for commensal bacteria).
When someone with coeliac disease reports insufficient improvement from a strict gluten-free diet.
Development of chronic gut symptoms after taking protein pump inhibitors (usually used for reflux & heart burn eg. losec or omeprazole) or after taking opiates (eg. oxycodon, heroin, morphine, methadone, codeine and pethidine).
Chronic low iron or ferritin levels with no other cause.
Chronic gut symptoms after a bout of viral gastroenteritis or bacterial food poisoning (post-infectious IBS).
What disease and disorders are associated with SIBO?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Gastro-esophageal relfux (GERD)
Celiac and gluten sensitivity
Autism
Fibromyalgia
Acne rosacea
Diverticulitis
Interstitial cystitis
Restless legs syndrome
Diabetes
Hypothyroidism
Scleroderma
Cirrhosis & hepatic encephalopathy