INFLAMMATION: SIBO

SIBO is an abnormal number of bacteria in the small intestine that can lead to:

• bloating and increased passing of gas (flatulence)

• diarrhea or constipation

• abdominal pain

• nausea

• fatigue

In more extreme cases, the small intestine may not be able to absorb nutrients. In these situations, you may also experience weight loss and anemia (iron deficiency).

SIBO Treatment Options

Specialists understand that there are different levels and types of SIBO. These distinctions matter when determining the most appropriate treatment. Depending on the extent of your condition, treatment may vary. We deliver customized treatment for:

• hydrogen-predominant SIBO: The primary treatment is the antibiotic rifaximin.

• methane-predominant SIBO: This type of SIBO is harder to treat, and it may take longer to respond to treatment. We use rifaximin plus neomycin for these cases.

• recurrent SIBO: We closely monitor you for a recurrence of SIBO. If it happens, you will benefit from our experience treating the disease. We have experience with formulations of antimicrobial herbs, which can be used to treat recurrences and as an alternative for initial treatment of hydrogen- or methane-predominant SIBO.

What are SIBO risk factors?

Structural or anatomic abnormalities may affect normal movement of the small intestine (motility). Stasis, or lack of movement, can lead to bacterial imbalance. This can occur if you:

• Have diverticulosis — tiny bulging pouches (diverticula) in the small intestine

• Had surgery that changed the small intestine’s structure, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, or surgery on the right colon with removal of the ileocecal valve, or surgery on the last part of the small bowel.

• Pseudo Obstructions (this concerns the muscle, nerves, hormones etc) and doesn’t move food through the system as efficiently as it should.

• Have adhesions (scar tissue) that developed after radiation therapy or after multiple abdominal surgeries

• Have amyloidosis (a buildup of amyloid protein deposits) — deposits can accumulate in the small intestine and change its structure

Use of certain medications could be linked to SIBO. These include:

• Narcotic medications

• Anti-spasm medications for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as hyoscyamine or dicyclomine

• Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) — medications that decrease acid in the stomach to control heartburn

• Frequent use of antibiotics, which may alter the bacteria in the small bowel

Chronic systemic conditions can cause motility issues. If you have these conditions, you may be at a higher risk for SIBO:

• Diabetes.

Diabetic enterapathy less known manifestation of diabetes in the Gi tract that affect the large bowel. It results in diarrhea,constipation, and incontinence which generally happens more often at night.

• Lupus

• Scleroderma or connective tissue disorders

Having a lowered immune system. This includes those who have:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

• Immunoglobulin A deficiency

• Combined variable immunodeficiency

Stress . Stress affects the amount of Hydrochloric Acid your stomach pumps out and gut motility.

Too much junk food.

You can help heal SIBO by:

1. Following a Low Fodmap Diet. A low-FODMAP diet consists in the global restriction of all low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet and consulting with a nutritionist.

This is recommended only for a short time. A low-FODMAP diet is recommended for managing patients with irritable bowel syndrome and can reduce digestive symptoms of IBS including bloating and flatulence.

2. Antimicrobial Herbs have natural antimicrobial/antibiotic properties and can help kill and clear out bacteria overgrowth. They can be sued to treat SIBO in reoccurring SIBO, and as an alternative for intial treatment.

3. Following a strict water diet can starve out the bacteria and kill it, but do not go over 7 days without doctor supervision. Before starting a water diet you should always talk to your doctor to be sure its safe for you. If you choose to go ahead and do it - just listen to your body.

4. Coconut Charcoal for those who can tolerate it, because it has beneficial enzymes to help the healing process. The charcoal also binds up the toxic by-products of the bacterial overgrowth.

If you can not have coconut charcoal, just regular activated charcoal can be beneficial as well. It helps bind up the chemicals produced by the bacterial overgrowth and prevent it from entering the body.

SIBO Diagnostic Procedures

Gastroenterologists (doctors who specialize in the digestive system) diagnose SIBO with a lactulose breath test.

For the test, you will swallow a drink containing the sugar lactulose. Next, you will breathe into a balloon approximately every 15 minutes over the course of three hours.

Each time, the breath sample is removed from the balloon and tested for SIBO. It may be present if your breath sample contains hydrogen or methane shortly after drinking the solution.

Some kits can be purchased online and done at home.

For more Information on SIBO; please see my other papers:

SIBO and Histamine https://www.mastoqueen.com/single-post/sibo-and-histamine

Histamine: The good, bad and how to fix it. https://www.mastoqueen.com/single-post/2020/03/09/histamine-the-good-bad-how-to-fix-it

Managing Histamine Intolerance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EkwOeRuEH8