Most people have heard of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. But now, a similar condition called SIBO is getting more attention.
Recently, Selena Gomez revealed that she struggles with SIBO after body-shamers criticized the “Only Murder in the Building” actress for her new film “Emilia Perez” ” posed with her hands in front of her torso at the premiere, suggesting she was trying to hide her body. No one needs to protect themselves or their body, but Elle reported that Gomez responded in a since-deleted comment on TikTok, explaining: “This makes me sick. I’ve [SIBO] In my small intestine. It burns. I don’t care that I don’t look like a stick figure. I don’t have that body. End of story. No, I’m not a victim. I’m just one person.
SIBO is actually a more common digestive disorder that is often associated with other existing conditions such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease. Symptoms are not limited to bloating, though. This condition can also cause diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, and discomfort when eating. To help you learn all about SIBO, we hired a doctor. Next, M.D. explains the symptoms, causes, and potential treatments for SIBO.
Experts featured in this article:
Laura Purdy, MD, is a family medicine physician and founder of Swell Medical, a telemedicine company.
What is SIBO?
“Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, commonly known as SIBO, is a disease caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine and intestinal tract,” says Laura Purdy, MD, a family medicine physician and founder of telemedicine company Swell Medical. She explains that having some bacteria in your gut is normal and healthy, but too much bacteria can wreak havoc on your gut, causing digestive issues and ultimately uncomfortable symptoms.
To further break down carbohydrates, bacteria in the small intestine digest the carbohydrates and convert them into gases and short-chain fatty acids (fatty acids with fewer than 6 carbon atoms that are byproducts of intestinal bacterial fermentation). More bacteria means more gas and other byproducts that make you feel bloated.
According to the clinic, excess bacteria also feed on protein and vitamin B12, which can worsen fat digestion and cause malabsorption of nutrients and fat-soluble vitamins. The result? Unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms.
Symptoms of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
According to Dr. Purdy, SIBO typically has the following signs and symptoms. You may experience some or many of these symptoms, depending on the severity of your condition.
- diarrhea
- abdominal bloating
- gas
- stomach ache
- constipate
- nausea
- unintentional weight loss
- indigestion
- An uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating
If left untreated, SIBO can also cause fat malabsorption, which can lead to vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iron deficiencies as excess bacteria eat up all the nutrients, according to Yale University Medical Center.
What are the causes of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)?
SIBO occurs when there is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine and intestinal tract, Dr. Purdy said. According to the Cleveland Clinic, your body normally maintains the balance of your gut flora through a complex network of chemicals and bodily functions, but when one or more of these functions is out of balance, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can occur. ).
As with most things, it’s difficult to narrow down the exact cause of SIBO, but here are some common causes.
- Past medical history: Dr. Purdy says SIBO can be caused by a variety of existing conditions, including diabetes, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease, because these conditions can slow down the digestive system. She explains that a slow digestive tract can lead to the growth of intestinal bacteria, ultimately leading to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and its attendant symptoms.
- Low stomach acid: Low stomach acid can cause small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) by reducing the body’s ability to inhibit bacterial growth, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The underlying causes of low stomach acid can vary, but Helicobacter pylori infection, long-term use of medications such as antacids and proton pump inhibitors, and gastric bypass surgery may be to blame.
- antibiotic: “Long-term antibiotic use can destroy the natural flora of a healthy gut and increase the risk of SIBO,” says Dr. Purdy. Narcotics and gastric acid suppressants may also disrupt the balance of intestinal flora.
- Structural problems in and/or around the small intestine: According to the Mayo Clinic, structural problems in or around the small intestine can inhibit the regular removal of residual bacteria in the gut, leading to a buildup of harmful bacteria. The causes of structural problems vary from person to person, but gastrointestinal disease, small bowel diverticular disease or obstruction, and scar tissue from previous abdominal surgeries may be to blame.
How is SIBO diagnosed?
Dr. Purdy explains that the most common and non-invasive way to diagnose SIBO is through a breath test. “This test is performed after consuming a sugar solution (usually a mixture of glucose and water) and measures hydrogen and/or methane levels in the breath,” she said. If hydrogen and/or methane levels rise rapidly when you exhale, it could be a sign of bacterial overgrowth in your small intestine.
Dr. Purdy said a culture of intestinal fluid can also identify bacterial overgrowth, although it is more invasive. To obtain a fluid sample, a health care provider will thread a long, flexible tube down your throat, through your upper digestive tract and into your small intestine. From there, a sample of intestinal fluid is taken and tested in a laboratory to determine bacterial growth.
Additionally, your doctor may order blood tests to identify vitamin deficiencies or a stool sample to determine if excess undigested fat or bile acids are present. X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs may also be needed to evaluate organ function and potential structural problems.
How is SIBO treated?
It may sound counterintuitive, but SIBO is usually treated with a course of antibiotics to help reduce bacterial overgrowth, Dr. Purdy says. Be aware, she adds, that antibiotics can wipe out both good and bad bacteria in your gut, so it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions to prevent bacterial resistance.
According to the Mayo Clinic, if SIBO causes a nutritional deficiency, a healthcare provider may prescribe oral supplements or intramuscular injections to help fill nutritional gaps, especially if you are deficient in vitamin B12. However, you should always get your doctor’s approval before starting any new supplements, as they are not FDA-approved and therefore always carry some risk.
Finally, Dr. Purdy says SIBO can sometimes be managed with a low-FODMAP diet (an eating plan that reduces certain carbohydrates that are often difficult to digest) because certain carbohydrates feed the bacteria in your gut and may worsen symptoms. . . Likewise, you should always contact your doctor to discuss a treatment plan before making any major dietary changes.
That being said, if you have an underlying health condition that predisposes you to SIBO, it’s important to talk to your doctor to address and treat the underlying cause.
Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based freelance writer and a graduate of Emory University and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Her work has been published in PS, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan and other magazines.
