It is estimated that 60% of people who have IBS have undiagnosed small intestinal bacterial overgrowth – symptoms of SIBO include bloating, abdominal discomfort, altered bowel movements, either constipation or diarrhoea and excess wind (burping or flatulence).

SIBO

It is estimated that 60% of people who have IBS have undiagnosed small intestinal bacterial overgrowth – symptoms of SIBO include bloating, abdominal discomfort, altered bowel movements, either constipation or diarrhoea and excess wind (burping or flatulence).

SIBO commonly starts after suffering from gastroenteritis. There are many other health issues that may be triggered by SIBO so in my opinion it is vitally important to really understand the underlying cause of your gastrointestinal symptoms.

The presence of SIBO is often accompanied by carbohydrate malabsorption, and symptoms will often improve when a low FODMAP diet is followed. It is recommended that a low FODMAP diet is only followed for 12 weeks as this is quite a restrictive way of eating, so whilst there may be some temporary relief it is really important to diagnose the underlying cause of the symptoms and to manage this, with the aim of increasing the variety of foods that you can tolerate.

Diagnosis of SIBO is through undertaking a functional test, the SIBO breath test – which I organise through Invivo Clinical laboratories. If SIBO is identified, we would work together to reduce/eliminate bacteria from the small intestine and ultimately to resolve your symptoms.

SIBO - Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth, help for this condition

Do you suffer from SIBO? I can help…