Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or SIBO results when bacteria usually found in your colon overpopulates the small intestine. As a result, you may not be able to properly assimilate nutrients from your food, which aggravates existing conditions and leads to painful side effects.
SYMPTOMS OF SIBO
The symptoms for SIBO include:
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal distension (gets worse as the day goes on)
- Abdominal pain
- Chronic diarrhea, sometimes with urgency
- Excessive intestinal gas
- Nausea
- Soiling accidents
The symptoms of SIBO sound very much like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and many other diseases. SIBO also exists alongside many other diseases and adds symptoms to the mix not found in the original disease. For example, while patients with IBS might experience bloating and stomach distress 90 minutes after eating, someone with SIBO might feel that much more quickly, along with fatigue, weakness, and weight loss.
Because SIBO shares general symptoms with other diseases, it is often under-diagnosed. Research indicates that SIBO might be present for those suffering with celiac disease, chronic pancreatitis, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, and scleroderma. The primary illness sets up conditions ideal for the development of SIBO.
The real danger of small intestine bacterial overgrowth is that it can lead to nutritional deficiencies as vitamins are not properly absorbed. Disease damages the villi that line the small intestines so that they cannot absorb protein, prematurely absorb carbohydrates, and break down bile acids from fats, which are then absorbed in the middle part of the small intestine (the jejunum) rather than the last part of the small intestine (the ileum) where fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, would normally be absorbed. The result is vitamin deficiencies that can lead to anemia, osteoporosis, enlarged red blood cells, low red blood cell count, and many other problems.
DIAGNOSING SMALL INTESTINAL BACTERIAL OVERGROWTH
Your doctor can diagnose SIBO through the use of a breath test or through a biopsy taken as part of an endoscopy. If SIBO is found to be present, your doctor will work with you on a treatment for that and any underlying illnesses that that may have led to SIBO development. Your doctor may also assess any existing vitamin deficiencies and recommend a course of action.
SCHEDULE SMALL INTESTINAL BACTERIAL OVERGROWTH (SIBO) CARE AT OASIS ADVANCED GASTROENTEROLOGY
An Endoscopy can be invaluable in diagnosing Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO.) Contact Oasis Advanced Gastroenterology in Palm Springs to schedule an endoscopy with Dr. Asgeri.
Request an appointment online or call 760-699-7607.