Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is defined as the presence of excessive bacteria in the small intestine. SIBO is frequently implicated as the cause of chronic diarrhoea and malabsorption and, very commonly, a cause of IBS.  Patients with SIBO may also suffer from unintentional weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and osteoporosis.

Initially thought to occur in only a small number of patients, it is now apparent that this disorder is more prevalent than previously thought. Patients with SIBO vary in presentation, from being only mildly symptomatic to suffering from chronic diarrhoea, weight loss, and malabsorption. A number of diagnostic tests are currently available (please contact us if required). Recently there has been renewed interest in SIBO and its putative association with irritable bowel syndrome. Treatment options are always personalised in the case of SIBO and its variants.

SIBO develops when the normal homeostatic mechanisms that control enteric bacterial populations are disrupted. The two processes that most commonly predispose to bacterial overgrowth are diminished gastric (stomach) acid secretion and small intestine dysmotility. Diminished stomach acid protocols form a large part of our treatment process for SIBO and we have, over many years, developed our own protocols and accompanying range of products for this.

it is worth repeating that a common misconception is that SIBO affects only a limited number of patients, such as those with an anatomic abnormality of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract or those with a motility disorder. However, SIBO may be more prevalent than previously thought. This apparent increase in prevalence may have occurred, in part, because readily available diagnostic tests have improved our ability to diagnose SIBO.

If you have any further questions regarding diagnosing and functional testing please be in touch via this link.

You are not alone, don’t suffer in silence.