SIBO, Do You Have It? What Now?
Do you often feel bloated, gassy, or have abdominal pain? Have you been diagnosed with IBS or other digestive disorders, but still experience symptoms despite trying various treatments? You might be suffering from something called SIBO.
SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, is a treatable condition where there is an excessive amount of bacteria in the small intestine. Normally, the small intestine has a low number of bacteria, but in SIBO, bacteria from the colon migrate up to the small intestine and thrive there. This can sometimes happen when diet feed the bacteria, or if someone isn’t regularly going to the bathroom - causing a backup in the system. The most common symptoms of SIBO bloating, burping and gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, stinky morning breath, and constipation, too.
So, what can you do to manage SIBO and reduce your symptoms? Here are five things you might want to try:
Change Your Diet: One of the main causes of SIBO is an imbalanced gut microbiome. To help rebalance your gut, try reducing or eliminating foods like onions, garlic, and other known trigger foods from your diet. Some of the known trigger foods are: All processed foods (foods mass produced in a factory with cheap ingredients), gluten, dairy, and sugar. These foods tend to ferment in the gut, or feed the bacteria that’s already overgrown and causing symptoms.
Consider Antibiotics: There are specific antibiotics meant to tackle this imbalance of bacteria and can be effective in treating SIBO. Paired with rebalancing the gut, antibiotics are effective. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics such as rifaximin, neomycin, or metronidazole. However, antibiotics can also have side effects and may not be suitable for everyone so it’s important to talk with someone about how to make sure the antibiotics don’t cause a gut imbalance elsewhere in the gut!
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Taking probiotics and prebiotics can help increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in your gut and help restore balance to your microbiome. Probiotics are live bacteria that are beneficial to your gut, while prebiotics are the food that these bacteria feed on. You can get probiotics from supplements or fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, and sauerkraut.
Manage Stress: Stress can have a big impact on your digestive health, and can even contribute to the development of SIBO. Try to find ways to manage your stress, such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.
Test Trigger Foods using the Monash or FoodMarble app. Tracking your food intake, symptom progression and severity, and timing can give you a lot of good information to share with your doctor or health coach
Work with a Practitioner like myself or a Naturpathic Doctor: SIBO can be a complex condition, and it can be challenging to manage on your own. Working with a practitioner who is knowledgeable about SIBO can be helpful in developing a personalized treatment plan. They can recommend testing, supplements, and other therapies that may be beneficial for your individual needs.
In conclusion, SIBO can be a challenging condition to manage, but there are solutions available to help reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. By making dietary changes, considering antibiotics, taking probiotics and prebiotics, managing stress, and working with a practitioner, you can take steps towards healing your gut and reducing your symptoms.