Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can be caused by: The small intestine is the longest section of your digestive tract, measuring about 20 feet (6.1 meters). If you have signs and symptoms that are common to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), make an appointment with your doctor. SIBO is the acronym for “small intestinal bacterial overgrowth,” defined as excessive bacteria in the small intestine, or small bowel.

The bacteria may produce toxins as well as interfere with the absorption of nutrients. While SIBO is often a complication of stomach (abdominal) surgery, this condition can also result from structural problems and some diseases. But a loop can't always be reversed. All rights reserved.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in children: A state-of-the-art review. Management of motility disorders of the stomach and small bowel. You can read more about soil-based probiotics, such as my Primal Earth Probiotic in my article, here. Factors that increase your risk of SIBO include: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can cause escalating problems, including: Poor absorption of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Using a patient’s health history, lifestyle factors, and the list of symptoms above, I am often able to make a diagnosis by listening to the patient’s symptoms. SIBO commonly results when a circumstance — such as surgery or disease — slows the passage of food and waste products in the digestive tract, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. However, it can be a bit cumbersome. Will I need to stay on medications long term?

What treatment approach do you recommend?

But bacteria can return when the antibiotic is discontinued, so treatment may need to be long term. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. In addition, she is a wife, mother, and the successful founder and CEO of Amy Myers MD®. Here are the causes, symptoms, tests and treatments are for SIBO. Accessed Jan. 17, 2020. Management of bowel surgery complications. They respond differently to different treatment options. Malnutrition can be treated, but the damage it causes can't always be reversed.

Published on: Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. These treatments may improve vitamin deficiencies, reduce intestinal distress and help with weight gain: Lactose-free diet. If you have signs and symptoms that are common to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), make an appointment with your doctor. Bacterial products may also harm the mucous lining (mucosa) of the small intestine, resulting in decreased absorption of carbohydrates and proteins. Accessed Jan. 17, 2020. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, alerts, new drug approvals and more. The breakdown products following bacterial digestion of food can also trigger diarrhea. Have you ever had radiation therapy to your abdomen or pelvis? Amy Myers MD®.

Switching among different drugs can help avoid this problem. Does your pain radiate to other parts of your abdomen or to your back? This is so important because you ideally want your lab testing to identify which type of SIBO you have. for Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), See how we're providing safe in-person care and virtual visits, Review the latest COVID-19 resources and research advancements, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter. An uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating, Abdominal pain lasting more than a few days, A structural defect in the small intestine, An abnormal passageway (fistula) between two segments of bowel, Crohn's disease, intestinal lymphoma or scleroderma involving the small intestine, History of radiation therapy to the abdomen, Adhesions caused by previous abdominal surgery. A short course of antibiotics often significantly reduces the number of abnormal bacteria. Symptoms include: Because of the many ways symptoms manifest in different people — sometimes showing no physical signs whatsoever — SIBO often goes undiagnosed.

After an initial evaluation, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in treatment of digestive disorders (gastroenterologist). Are there any lifestyle or dietary changes I can make to help reduce or manage my symptoms? Unfortunately, risk factors interfere with this process, including: Before I explain the most effective and accurate lab tests for SIBO, let’s recap the two different types of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth so that you can understand their role in testing. 2018; doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2017.09.008. Last updated on Feb 28, 2020. 13th ed. Content on this website is not considered medical advice.

Please see a physician before making any medical or lifestyle changes. You may be asked: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. You’ll immediately receive a 74-page eBook full of simple, mouth-watering recipes & beautiful photographs. Obesity and its associated lifestyle (high fat diet, minimal exercise) primarily produce colonic dysbiosis, with bacterial numbers still remaining low in the small intestine due to the inhibitory action of gastric acid and bile.4 In the Ding paper1 the authors delivered large numbers of faecal bacteria direct to the small intestine by gastric lavage over a 15-week period. These antibiotics kill the pathogenic bacteria with the least amount of disruption to the good bacteria in your microbiome.

Most of your gut bacteria are meant to be located in your large intestine and colon, where they help break down food, synthesize vitamins, and eliminate waste. Doctors may start this treatment if your symptoms and medical history strongly suggest this is the cause, even when test results are inconclusive or without any testing at all. Terms & Conditions | The small intestine typically has a much smaller amount of bacteria than the colon. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Adike A, et al. Sometimes surgery is needed to correct the problem, but antibiotics are the most common treatment. Have your signs and symptoms included vomiting? Switching among different drugs can help avoid this problem. 2019; doi:10.14309/ctg.0000000000000078. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when there is an abnormal increase in the overall bacterial population in the small intestine — particularly types of bacteria not commonly found in that part of the digestive tract. How often will you see me to monitor my progress? This will help support a strong immune system, optimal digestion, and nutrient absorption. If your small intestine is housing a yeast or bacterial overgrowth, byproducts will appear in your urine, indicating their presence. How can I treat them? In fact, scientists discovered that the gut microbiome contains tens of trillions of microorganisms, including up to 1,000 different species of bacteria with over 3 million genes. These steps, supplements, and more can all be found in my SIBO Breakthrough™ Program. What medications are you taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs, and supplements? Select one or more newsletters to continue. In short, they do not contain lactobacillus or bifidobacterium strains, yet provide all the benefits of a probiotic. Have your signs and symptoms included vomiting? The ingredients are not as harsh as broad-spectrum prescription antibiotics which can wipe out good and bad bacteria alike. What treatment approach do you recommend? After an initial evaluation, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in treatment of digestive disorders (gastroenterologist). This content does not have an Arabic version. If you are treating bacterial overgrowth at home, as thousands have done successfully, the protocol is to use Microb Clear®. Some affected people may tolerate yogurt because the bacteria used in the culturing process naturally break down lactose. Vitamin deficiency. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Damage to your central nervous system resulting from B-12 deficiency may be irreversible. With SIBO, an excess amount of hydrogen, methane, or both can occur in your digestive system. Whenever possible, doctors treat SIBO by dealing with the underlying problem — for example, by surgically repairing a postoperative loop, stricture or fistula. 2019; doi:10.3389/fped.2019.00363.

If your hydrogen levels are high then you likely have hydrogen-dominant SIBO. Have your signs and symptoms included a fever? Whenever possible, doctors treat SIBO by dealing with the underlying problem — for example, by surgically repairing a postoperative loop, stricture or fistula. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. In order to diagnose small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), you may have tests to check for bacterial overgrowth in your small intestine, poor fat absorption, or other problems that may be causing or contributing to your symptoms. SIBO- Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth: Welcome Blog About SIBO Treatment Learning More Studies News Resources Contact Antibiotic Treatment . Do you have any family history of bowel disorders or colon cancer?

Some bacteria present is important as bacteria assists with digestion and improves immune function. Ultimately, your gut breaks these foods down into sugar, which feed the bacteria. I have other conditions. Join the movement that has helped over 1.2 MILLION people in 120+ countries. How can I treat them? Ferri FF. What is the most likely cause of my condition?

Then, you ingest a precise amount of sugar to feed the bacteria and repeat breath samples every 15 minutes for 3 or more hours to see if levels of hydrogen or methane increase. Bile salts, which are normally needed to digest fats, are broken down by the excess bacteria in your small intestine, resulting in incomplete digestion of fats and diarrhea. Learn more about this bowel disorder. Correcting nutritional deficiencies is a crucial part of treating SIBO, particularly in people with severe weight loss. Have you ever had radiation therapy to your abdomen or pelvis? Medications that influence or disrupt the normal gut flora including antibiotics, acid-blocking drugs, and steroids.

Does your pain radiate to other parts of your abdomen or to your back? It is the most accurate and it determines if the SIBO is hydrogen or methane dominant. I often use stool testing to test for multiple gut infections at one time. As the hydrogen feeds single-cell organisms in your gut called archaea, they produce methane.