WHAT THE HECK IS SIBO?

SIBO 101
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Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

Put simply, it is a reflux of bacteria from the large intestine into the small intestine via the ileocecal valve. The bacteria normally live happily in the colon and we want them there. We do not want them to migrate from their home base (since it’s so warm and cozy in the colon after all…wink wink) In the case of SIBO, we have a case of the wrong place “always at the wrong time”. The bacteria aren’t bad guys, they’ve just lost their way.

What symptoms can I expect to have with SIBO?
 
Here is the short list:

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Bloating/gas
• Nausea
• Mood changes: i.e. anxiety, depression, brain fog
• GERD (aka: acid reflux-ouchie!)

 
Why should I “give a crap” about SIBO if I don’t have symptoms but test positive?

• Bacteria eat your food! This causes malnutrition, leading to weight loss or weight GAIN, anemia and other nutritional deficiencies.
• Over time, the gut becomes “leaky”. As gap junctions in the small intestine get larger and the gut gets leakier, partially digestive food particles enter the blood stream and the immune system sees these proteins as enemies! As a result, you end up with cross reactivates leading to autoimmune diseases and food allergies (I was never allergic to Haagen-Dazs before!? ) 

 
Is my SIBO diagnosis my fault?
 
The small intestine has many protections against bacterial colonization:

• HCL: Kills incoming bacteria (through mouth/nose)
• Bile, enzymes: Kills/arrests growth
• Immune system: Kills bacteria (obviously)
• Normal SI anatomy (allows bacteria to move out)
• Migrating motor complex (moves bacteria out, prevents large intestine backflow)

One or more of the protections needs to fail for SIBO to occur.
 
Am I at risk for developing SIBO? If you answer “yes” to any of these, then you most certainly are!

• I was not breast-fed
• I was born via C-section
• I gave birth via C-section
• I have had a head injury (i.e. concussion)
• I have used PPI’s to control acid reflux symptoms
• I have used at least one round of antibiotics in my lifetime or used opiates
• I have a history of PTSD or trauma/anxiety
• I suffer with constipation
• I have an autoimmune disease
• I have a connective tissue disease
• I have hypochlorhydria
• I’ve had abdominal surgery (i.e. appendectomy, hysterectomy – resulting in abdominal adhesions)
• Travel overseas: food poisoning

 
How do you diagnose SIBO:
Breath test that measures hydrogen and methane gases over a 3 hour period using lactulose to provoke.
 
How do I treat SIBO?!

• Diet and lifestyle
• Supplements
• SIBO support team​

Call 801-486-4226 to schedule to find out if SIBO might be affecting your life!

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