Frequently Asked Questions About SIBO

How do I know if I have SIBO or IBS?

You can't tell from symptoms alone - they overlap almost completely. IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion that describes a symptom pattern without identifying a cause. SIBO is a cause. Research suggests that up to 84% of people with an IBS diagnosis have SIBO as an underlying driver. If you have IBS and haven't been tested for SIBO, it's worth investigating. Testing is non-invasive and done at home.

Can SIBO go away on its own?

Occasionally symptoms fluctuate, but SIBO rarely resolves without treatment - particularly when there's an underlying driver like impaired motility or low stomach acid maintaining the overgrowth. Without addressing the cause, even a successful course of treatment tends to be followed by recurrence.

Why does SIBO keep coming back?

Recurrence almost always comes back to an underlying driver that wasn't addressed - most commonly impaired gut motility. If the mechanism that normally clears bacteria from the small intestine between meals isn't working properly, the overgrowth will return. This is one of the most important and most commonly overlooked aspects of SIBO care.

I've already tried treating SIBO on my own. Can you still help?

Yes - and this is actually one of the more common situations I see. Patients who've done their own research and tried protocols they've found online or assembled with AI assistance often have a good understanding of SIBO conceptually, but haven't been able to get lasting results. A proper assessment usually reveals why - whether it's an unidentified SIBO type, an underlying driver that wasn't addressed, or a treatment approach that wasn't quite right for their situation.

Is SIBO breath testing covered by OHIP or insurance?

SIBO breath testing is not covered by OHIP, but many extended health benefit plans cover naturopathic services and associated testing. I can provide receipts for insurance submission.