SIBO

Name It to Find It

As the name implies, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth — is an “overgrowth” of bacteria in the small intestine (the upper portion of your digestive system).  This part of the digestive tract should be free of bacteria and therefore when bacteria are present — problems arise. What problems? Well, most commonly you will feel:

• Bloating
• Belching
• Flatulence
• Diarrhea, Constipation, or an alternating pattern
• Reactivity to Foods
• Reflux

There are several factors that may put you at risk for SIBO, including:

1. Alterations in motility after suffering from food poisoning, taking medications, or undergoing stress.  Motility refers to the brain’s messaging to the gut to tell it to begin the wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the different parts of the digestive tract.  Such alterations in motility are the most common SIBO-related risk factor we see at DCIM.
   
2. Low digestive enzyme release after taking medications like proton pump inhibitors or stress.  This is the second most common SIBO-related risk factor we see at DCIM.
   
3. Obstructions in the gastro-intestinal tract after an acute event like surgery. 
   
4. Immune alterations following states like HIV or T cell deficiencies. 

Find It to Address It: There’s a Test for That!

If you have symptoms that justify testing, or if you have a recalcitrant case that needs a new approach, we can identify whether SIBO is at fault.  Our lactulose breath test assesses if this infection is indeed present and to what degree.  

The Traditional Treatment for SIBO Doesn’t Work Very Well

For almost 70% of individuals seeking treatment, antibiotics aren’t enough.  And when the antibiotics fail to permanently cure the situation, SIBO can become a chronic and relapsing condition.  Treating such chronic conditions requires more than just an antibiotic.

A Multi-Prong Attack!

At DCIM, we build a full and comprehensive plan to prevent a recurrence.   We tackle SIBO from a variety of approaches, often concurrently. In addition to antibiotics, these approaches include:

1. Dietary and Lifestyle Modifications
2. Targeted Botanical or Pharmaceutical Antibiotics
3. Motility Support, if indicated 
4. Physical Manipulation, if indicated
5. Gastrointestinal Rehabilitation via targeted Vagus Nerve Exercises

If you have SIBO or think you may have it, we can help!  Not only will our test evaluate your situation, but we will also develop an individually-tailored plan, to not only treat and rehabilitate you but also to prevent a recurrence.