SIBO

What is SIBO? — SIBO occurs when bacteria enter your normally sterile small intestine and begin to colonize. Studies have indicated that potentially up to 80% of patients with IBS may in fact have SIBO.

Common symptoms and reasons to test for SIBO include:

• Nausea
• Flatulence
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Malnutrition
• Irritable bowel disease
• Leaky gut syndrome
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Acid reflux
• Rosacea
• Restless leg syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Celiac disease
• Diverticulitis

Testing:

Breath testing measures the Hydrogen (H) & Methane (M) gas produced by bacteria in the small intestine that has diffused into the blood, then through the lungs, for expiration. H & M are gases produced by bacteria, not by humans. The gas is graphed over the Sl transit time of 2 or 3 hours & compared to baseline (or first breath sample). Patients drink a sugar solution of glucose or lactulose after a 1- or 2-day preparatory diet. The diet removes much of the food that would feed the bacteria, allowing for a clear reaction to the sugar drink.